Reducing Marine Debris through Environmentally Sustainable Waste Management and Reducing the Amount of Abandoned, Lost, or Discarded Fishing Gear in the Ocean | SFOP0004994

Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0004994

The grant opportunity titled "Reducing Marine Debris through Environmentally Sustainable Waste Management and Reducing the Amount of Abandoned, Lost, or Discarded Fishing Gear in the Ocean" is a discretionary funding program offered by the U.S. Department of State, specifically through the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. It is designed to support practical, on-the-ground efforts that stop marine debris before it reaches the ocean, with an emphasis on building lasting systems and tools that reduce pollution at the source. The funding is issued as grants under the Environment funding activity category (CFDA 19.017), reflecting a focus on public benefit and measurable environmental outcomes.

In total, the program anticipates making four awards, with each individual grant capped at up to USD 246,875, contingent on the availability of funds. The overall structure of the competition is split into two distinct project categories, and applicants must choose the category that best fits their proposed work. A key application rule is that an organization can submit no more than two applications total, and only one application per category. In other words, an applicant may submit one proposal for the waste management capacity-building category and one proposal for the abandoned or lost fishing gear category, but may not submit multiple proposals within the same category.

The first category, which will receive the majority of awards (three grants), targets marine debris prevention through capacity building for the development of environmentally sustainable waste management systems. This part of the competition is aimed at strengthening the ability of communities, institutions, or relevant stakeholders to manage waste more effectively in ways that prevent leakage into waterways and the marine environment. While the notice does not list specific eligible activities in the excerpt provided, the framing suggests projects that develop or improve systems, processes, and local capability, rather than short-term cleanups alone. The emphasis on "environmentally sustainable" waste management indicates a preference for approaches that can be maintained over time, reduce overall waste leakage, and create longer-term improvements in how waste is collected, handled, processed, or governed.

The second category will fund one grant and focuses on reducing the amount of abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (often referred to as ALDFG) in the ocean. ALDFG is a major source of marine debris and can continue to trap marine life, damage habitats, and create navigation hazards long after it has been lost. By dedicating a full award category to ALDFG, the opportunity signals an interest in targeted interventions that prevent gear loss, improve recovery, reduce the likelihood of discards, or strengthen systems that address the problem in a durable way. The competitive allocation (one award) suggests this is a narrower track, likely intended for a focused, well-defined project with clear outcomes related to fishing gear impacts.

Administratively, the opportunity was created on April 30, 2018, with an original application closing date of June 29, 2018. The grant ceiling is explicitly stated as USD 246,875 per award, and the program expects to make four awards across both categories. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced as being available in a separate eligibility text field (not included in the excerpt). This typically means that eligibility may extend beyond standard government or academic applicants and could include various organization types, but the exact eligible entities would need to be confirmed in the full notice.

Overall, this funding opportunity is structured to support prevention-oriented marine debris work through two complementary pathways: building stronger, more sustainable waste management capacity to stop trash and plastics from reaching the ocean in the first place, and reducing the specific and persistent problem of abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear. The split into two categories, the limit on submissions per applicant, and the relatively modest but meaningful award size point to a program seeking implementable, results-driven projects that can demonstrate clear environmental benefit and create improvements that continue beyond the grant period.

• The Department of State, Bureau of Oceans - Int. Environmental - Scientific in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Reducing Marine Debris through Environmentally Sustainable Waste Management and Reducing the Amount of Abandoned, Lost, or Discarded Fishing Gear in the Ocean" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.017.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 30, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 29, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $246,875.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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