Powering Innovation. Funding Solutions.
Protecting Our Waters.
Chartered by Congress as an official nonprofit partner to NOAA’s Marine Debris Program, the Marine Debris Foundation (MDF) is uniquely positioned to host the Clean Oceans Innovation Hub as a vehicle designed to match public commitment and private capital.
Each year, millions of marine animals are harmed by debris, while microplastics enter the food web threatening both wildlife and human health. Marine debris harms fishing and tourism, causing millions in losses and leaving coastal communities to shoulder clean up and lost revenue. By aligning federal and private investments – we can accelerate scalable solutions to one of the world’s most urgent environmental challenges.
The MDF is seeking partners who support a bold vision: a world where marine debris is no longer a threat to ecosystems, economies, and the well-being of future generations.
A Bold Response to a Global Crisis
The Clean Oceans Innovation Hub will identify and support transformative solutions through innovations that are grounded in good science and community connection and have potential for replication and scale. Innovations may span technology, policy, or practice (including use of traditional and tribal approaches).
The Clean Oceans Innovation Hub will serve as an incubator and mentor network, ensuring that innovators across the country can learn from and support one another.
Categories of Action the Hub will fund:
- Protect coasts and ocean waters from plastic and debris
- Support clean cities and working waterfronts
- Educate the next generation for debris free waters
- Mitigate microplastics in our waters
Invitation to Participate
Potential implementing partners should submit a brief concept (see form below) for initial consideration, indicating the relevant category of action. Additional funding partners or other sources of match funding are encouraged. Should the project concept align with MDF’s and NOAA’s priorities and demonstrate potential for innovation, a collective approach and positive impact, MDF will respond with next steps.
For the first phase of the Clean Oceans Innovation Hub, MDF is only accepting applications for programs operating in the United States, U.S. waters, or those of the Freely Associated States.