This project will support the marine debris foundations (MDF) efforts to help NOAA advance its strategic goal to conserve, restore, and connect healthy coastal and marine ecosystems via three…

This project will support the marine debris foundations (MDF) efforts to help NOAA advance its strategic goal to conserve, restore, and connect healthy coastal and marine ecosystems via three priorities: awarding genius prizes for save our seas innovation issuing grants that advance communities work to remove, reduce and prevent marine debris undertaking other initiatives and partnerships, as appropriate, to advance the missions of MDF and MDP. Through the genius prize, MDF strives to foster innovation in sectors that are part of a circular economy. A well-designed prize program not only will provide a monetary award, but also networks, publicity and access to longer-term investments that can propel novel ideas to market and thus move the dial on curbing the marine debris crisis. Through a grants program, MDF strives to empower organizations and institutions across the country whose work aligns with NOAA MDP state and regional marine debris action plans. With adequate, ongoing funding to distribute these grants, MDF will be well- positioned to help advance successful, scalable projects, as well as provide funding that allows for testing and development of concepts. (this type of funding in particular is quite scarce within the funding community.) finally, MDF strives to play a central role in convening stakeholders dedicated to marine debris work where they can add value and help advance concepts and actions. MDF plays a unique role in the sector as the only national nonprofit dedicated exclusively to marine debris and partnered with a federal agency. Over the course of this grant period, MDF estimates they will: support the removal of 100,000 pounds of marine debris support the prevention of 100,000 pounds of litter becoming marine debris issue two genius prizes