FY2017 Community-based Marine Debris Removal | Apply Online

FY2017 Community-based Marine Debris Removal (NOAA Marine Debris Program) - FAQs

What is the FY2017 Community-based Marine Debris Removal funding opportunity?

It is a competitive federal funding opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Commerce through NOAA's Marine Debris Program. The program funds locally driven projects focused on removing marine debris in ways that improve coastal habitats, waterways, and NOAA trust resources.

Which NOAA office runs this program?

The opportunity is administered by NOAA's Marine Debris Program, which is housed within the Office of Response and Restoration in the National Ocean Service.

What law authorizes or grounds this funding opportunity?

The solicitation is grounded in the Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act (33 U.S.C. 1951-1958).

What is the main goal of the solicitation?

The main goal is to support marine debris removal efforts, with a priority on medium- to large-scale debris that is difficult or costly to address through routine volunteer cleanups.

What types of debris does NOAA prioritize for removal under this opportunity?

The emphasis is on medium- to large-scale debris, especially debris that is hard or expensive to remove through typical volunteer cleanups. A major example specifically highlighted is derelict fishing gear.

Why is derelict fishing gear specifically called out?

Derelict fishing gear can continue trapping and harming marine life, damage sensitive habitats, and create navigation and safety hazards. Because it can cause ongoing harm, its removal can deliver clear ecological and safety benefits.

Are projects expected to be more than basic trash cleanups?

Yes. Projects are expected to go beyond simply picking up trash. The solicitation emphasizes practical, on-the-ground work designed to deliver lasting environmental improvements, particularly in habitats important to NOAA trust resources, and to show that removal work is strategic and tied to measurable outcomes.

What kinds of benefits is NOAA looking for projects to produce?

The program is designed to produce immediate, on-the-ground benefits (such as debris removed, hazards reduced, and habitat improved) along with longer-term value through improved understanding and awareness that can support future prevention and management.

How should applicants show that their removal work is strategic and effective?

Based on the announcement summary, proposals should be structured to produce clear ecological benefits and demonstrate that the removal approach is effective and connected to measurable outcomes. NOAA also indicates that documenting what is removed and where it accumulates helps demonstrate effectiveness.

Does the opportunity include expectations beyond debris removal?

Yes. In addition to removal, NOAA highlights broader program outcomes such as building awareness of marine debris impacts, strengthening conservation of living marine resource habitats, and contributing to understanding debris composition, distribution, and impacts.

What kinds of documentation or data collection are applicants generally expected to do?

Applicants are generally expected to document what they remove and where it is removed from. When possible, they should identify where the debris came from, where it accumulates, and what ecological or community impacts are reduced by the project. The announcement also notes collecting standardized data during removal operations so results inform future prevention, response planning, and management decisions.

What does NOAA mean by improving "NOAA trust resources"?

The summary indicates projects should improve coastal habitats, waterways, and NOAA trust resources, with emphasis on habitats important to those resources. The opportunity description frames trust resources as assets and habitats NOAA is responsible for protecting and managing, and removal projects should demonstrate clear ecological benefits in those areas.

What award mechanism is used for this opportunity?

Awards are made as cooperative agreements rather than standard grants.

What does it mean that awards are cooperative agreements?

A cooperative agreement indicates NOAA expects substantial involvement during the project period. The exact form of involvement can vary, but commonly includes coordination with NOAA staff on planning, data collection approaches, reporting, outreach, or other elements needed to align the work with program priorities and produce usable results.

How many awards did NOAA anticipate making?

NOAA anticipated making about 15 awards under this opportunity.

What is the maximum funding amount per project?

The maximum award amount (ceiling) is $350,000 per project.

Is this a formula program or a competitive program?

It is a competitive federal funding program and is categorized as a discretionary program.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is NOAA NOS ORR 2017 2004997.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA listing provided is 11.999.

What activity areas or categories does this opportunity cover?

The opportunity is described as spanning environment, natural resources, and research and development.

When was the opportunity created and when was the original application deadline?

The opportunity was created on August 11, 2016, and the original application deadline was October 14, 2016.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others." The summary notes that applicants are expected to confirm eligibility by reviewing the program's "Additional Information on Eligibility" language in the full announcement.

What types of projects are most aligned with the program's intent?

Projects that are community-centered and results-oriented, focus on removing larger and more harmful debris types (including difficult-to-remove debris like derelict fishing gear), improve coastal and marine habitats over the long term, and generate useful information about debris patterns and impacts.

How does the solicitation connect removal activities to prevention and future management?

NOAA indicates that collecting standardized data during removal operations can inform future prevention efforts, response planning, and management decisions. In other words, projects are expected to produce information that helps address marine debris beyond the immediate cleanup.

Does NOAA emphasize outreach or communication in this opportunity?

Yes. The solicitation is intended to build awareness of the impacts of marine debris and to demonstrate and communicate why removal matters, alongside the on-the-ground removal work.

What is the core emphasis of the program in plain terms?

Funding supports locally driven, practical removal projects that target debris that causes outsized harm or is hard to remove, deliver clear ecological benefits, and document results in ways that improve understanding and future decision-making about marine debris.