An informational webinar about an opportunity to compete for part of $16 million from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for research projects to prevent and rid the coast of marine debris is set for Oct. 3.
North Carolina Sea Grant announced Monday that it is looking for partners interested in the latest round of NOAA Sea Grant funding for the Marine Debris Challenge Competition to begin exploring partnerships and topics now. Letters of intent, due Jan. 30, 2024, are the first step — and must be submitted by a Sea Grant program.
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“We are excited to collaborate with a variety of partners — from national, regional, state and local scales — to bring many talents together to address marine debris challenges within our coastal watersheds and coastal communities, and beyond,” Susan White, North Carolina Sea Grant executive director, said in a statement. “Such integrated research, extension and education efforts are critical to moving the needle for a problem that is expanding, and affects all here, nationally and globally.”
Instructions for the Marine Debris Challenge Competition opportunity can be found on the national Sea Grant Funding page.
The webinar begins at 4 p.m. Oct. 3. Register in advance.
NOAA Sea Grant said the opportunity is open to any person or group within the United States or its territories, as well as tribal nations within those geographies.
“Applicants must submit proposals in partnership with a relevant Sea Grant Program. Please note that it is not a requirement that investigators, including the principal investigator, be part of a Sea Grant program,” the funding announcement explains.
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Partners interested in submitting a proposal in collaboration with and/or through NC Sea Grant should contact John Fear at jmfear@ncsu.edu or White at snwhite3@ncsu.edu quickly to discuss the proposal topic and Sea Grant collaboration.
“As with all our funding opportunities, we seek a wide range of researchers, participants and partners from communities that have been underserved, and from universities and organizations serving those communities,” Fear said.
Only those who submit letters of intent are eligible to submit full proposals. Full proposals must be based on letters of intent and include Sea Grant partnerships.
Only Sea Grant programs may submit full proposals for this federal opportunity. Thus, proposals from North Carolina researchers must be submitted to John Fear by 5 p.m., Friday, March 1, 2024, to ensure NC Sea Grant has the time needed to process all proposals ahead of the federal deadline.
Complete proposals should be emailed to jmfear@ncsu.edu.
