FY2024-2025 National Sea Grant BIL Marine Debris Community Action Coalitions | NOAA OAR SG 2024 23704

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the FY2024-2025 National Sea Grant BIL Marine Debris Community Action Coalitions opportunity?

It is a discretionary federal funding opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Commerce through NOAA and NOAA's National Sea Grant College Program. The opportunity is identified as NOAA OAR SG 2024 23704 and focuses on supporting community-based coalitions that take practical, on-the-ground action to prevent and reduce marine debris and sustain that work over time.

Which federal agency administers this funding?

The program is administered by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) through NOAA's National Sea Grant College Program, under the U.S. Department of Commerce.

What law funds this program?

This opportunity is funded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Sea Grant was directed to carry out $50 million over five years to support marine debris prevention and removal.

What problem is this grant trying to address?

The opportunity addresses marine debris as both a global and a highly local issue. NOAA emphasizes that local debris conditions are shaped by everyday practices, local policies, and the decisions of residents, businesses, and institutions. The program is designed to help communities build coalitions and partnerships that can plan, implement, and sustain solutions.

How does this opportunity define "marine debris"?

For this grant, marine debris is defined broadly as any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and ends up in the marine environment or the Great Lakes, whether it gets there intentionally or unintentionally (15 C.F.R. 909.1).

Does the program only focus on oceans, or does it include the Great Lakes?

It includes both the marine environment and the Great Lakes, based on the definition referenced in 15 C.F.R. 909.1.

What types of approaches does NOAA want to fund through this NOFO?

This NOFO emphasizes coordinated community action over a single technical fix. It is oriented toward organizing and sustaining local efforts through coalitions and partnerships that can prevent debris, remove it, or reduce its impacts in ways that fit local pathways and community conditions.

What is a "Community Action Coalition" in the context of this funding?

Based on NOAA's description, a community action coalition is a partnership-based approach that brings stakeholders together (such as local governments, community organizations, Tribal entities, industry, educators, and others) to plan, implement, and sustain local solutions to marine debris.

Who are examples of stakeholders NOAA expects to be involved in coalitions?

NOAA specifically mentions local governments, community organizations, Tribal entities, industry, educators, and other stakeholders as potential partners to coordinate and sustain prevention and mitigation efforts.

What is the central priority related to equity and environmental justice?

Equity and environmental justice are central priorities. NOAA highlights that many communities have historically lacked resources, access, or institutional support to invest in marine debris solutions and explicitly notes that Tribes and Indigenous Peoples may face additional barriers to addressing local debris and pollution.

Which federal equity and environmental justice initiatives does this opportunity align with?

The opportunity aligns with Executive Order 14096 (environmental justice), Executive Order 13985 (racial equity and support for underserved communities), and the Justice40 Initiative established under Executive Order 14008.

What does Justice40 mean in the context of this opportunity?

Justice40 directs that disadvantaged communities receive a meaningful share of benefits from certain categories of federal investment. NOAA indicates that proposals that authentically center underserved communities, remove participation barriers, and deliver clear local benefits align strongly with the intent of the funding.

What funding instrument types are expected (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

Awards are expected to be made as grants and cooperative agreements.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $300,000.

How many awards does NOAA anticipate making?

NOAA anticipates making about 20 awards.

What is the CFDA listing associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA listing associated with this opportunity is 11.417.

Who is eligible to apply?

The eligibility category is listed broadly as "Others." Applicants are directed to review the opportunity's eligibility language for the specific allowable applicant types and conditions.

When did the application window open and close for the posted cycle?

For the posted cycle described, the application window opened on September 13, 2023, with an original closing date of March 5, 2024, indicating this was a time-bound competition for that fiscal cycle.

Can prior awardees apply again?

Yes. Applicants and awardees from the FY22 Sea Grant IIJA Marine Debris Community Action Coalitions competition are eligible to apply again.

If a previous awardee applies again, what does NOAA require about the new request?

NOAA states that returning awardees need to explain how new funds would be additive rather than duplicative, and how the added funding would produce outcomes beyond what was already committed under the original award.

What are examples of "additive" outcomes for returning awardees?

NOAA provides examples such as scaling an approach that has proven effective, expanding to additional neighborhoods or partner groups, or adding complementary activities that strengthen results.

Is this funding only for existing coalitions, or can new applicants apply?

NOAA encourages brand-new applicants and past applicants with new ideas to apply. The description indicates the program is meant to broaden participation and not operate as a closed continuation fund.

How does this Sea Grant coalition program fit into NOAA's broader marine debris efforts?

NOAA describes this as one piece of a larger BIL marine debris portfolio. This Sea Grant opportunity focuses on community organizing, partnerships, and local action, while a separate Sea Grant "Marine Debris Challenge Competition" is intended to fund more original and transformational research and innovation tied to tangible outputs. NOAA also notes that these Sea Grant opportunities complement two NOAA Marine Debris Program funding streams aimed at larger-scale debris removal and interception technology projects.

How is this opportunity different from the Sea Grant Marine Debris Challenge Competition?

This NOFO is best understood as the community capacity-building and local coordination piece. In contrast, the separate Sea Grant "Marine Debris Challenge Competition" is described as supporting original and transformational research and innovation tied to tangible outputs.

Does this opportunity focus on technology projects for large-scale debris removal or interception?

This specific NOFO is framed as coalition-focused community capacity-building and local coordination. NOAA separately references other NOAA Marine Debris Program funding streams aimed at larger-scale debris removal and interception technology projects.

What is the main goal for funded projects under this NOFO?

The main goal is to help communities organize and sustain practical, on-the-ground action by building coalitions and partnerships that keep prevention and mitigation efforts going over time.

Why does NOAA emphasize local decision-making and everyday practices?

NOAA highlights that marine debris is shaped by local practices, local policies, and decisions made by residents, businesses, and institutions, so sustained local coordination is positioned as essential to durable prevention and mitigation.