Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) Grants for Tribes and Intertribal Consortia

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces the second round of the SWIFR grants to assist local waste management authorities with support for improvements to local post consumer materials management and local waste management systems. Eligible entities include Indian Tribes, as defined in 33 U.S.C. 4201 and section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304) and Intertribal Consortia, as described in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations Section 35.504(a).

Find more information in this funding announcement on the EPA website.

Deadline: January 23, 2026, 11:59 PM ET.

Advancing Technologies and Methods to Improve Marine Mammal Stock Assessments and Mitigate Impacts

The Marine Mammal Commission is accepting pre-proposals for projects that develop or implement technology, tools, analytical methods, and community-based approaches to address two priority topic areas, improving stock assessments and mitigating stressors, including, but not limited to, human impacts.

Learn more about this opportunity on the Marine Mammal Commission website.

Deadline: Pre-proposals due Friday, January 16, 2026, 11:59 ET. Successful applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program Awards 13 New Projects for Funding

The NOAA Marine Debris Program is pleased to announce 13 new projects awarded under our NOAA Marine Debris Removal and Interception Technologies award competitions. These projects represent an investment in over $26.4 million for marine debris removal. The projects awarded under these nationwide competitive funding opportunities continue the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s commitment to benefit the American economy, local communities, and coastal and marine habitats across the nation.

We are excited to share that two of these new projects will take place in and around New England! The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council will remove creosote-coated timbers and other debris from the Providence River near downtown Providence. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County will remove more than 480,000 pounds of marine debris from Long Island Sound, including 9,000 derelict lobster traps. 

Learn more about this year’s awarded projects.

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) Announces 13 New Projects Under the Nationwide Trap Removal, Assessment, and Prevention (TRAP) Program

The William and Mary’s Batten School and VIMS, in partnership with the NOAA Marine Debris Program, announced 13 new marine debris removal projects under the Nationwide Trap Removal, Assessment, and Prevention (TRAP) Program. These projects represent an investment of over $1.8 million for removal of derelict fishing traps with funds provided by the NOAA Marine Debris Program. The projects will remove derelict traps in California, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Washington.

Congratulations to the new awardees in the northeast! These include the Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation, Oceanswide, Hill Fisheries LTD, the City of Beverly, Massachusetts, and Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation.

Learn more on the William and Mary's Batten School and VIMS TRAP Program website.

Congratulations to the NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest Winners!

We are pleased to announce the winners of the NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest! We received many colorful, creative, and informative entries from around the country, and although we wish we could showcase them all, we are excited to share the winners of this year’s contest with you.

The winning artwork will be featured in a 2026 calendar, which will help to remind us every day of the importance of being responsible stewards of the ocean. Thank you to all the students and schools that participated in this year’s contest! We would like to extend a special congratulations to Mya T., an eighth grade student from Massachusetts whose artwork below was selected for the 2026 calendar!

Learn more on NOAA's Marine Debris Blog.

Hey, Teachers—Leave the Lesson Planning to NOAA!

Make it a great school year with fun marine debris lesson plans and hands-on activities for all grade levels from NOAA. Use the Marine Debris Educational Materials database to search through loads of lesson plans and activities to find those that suit your classroom needs! These Resource Collections put together by the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries organize educational resources into categories by topic, including marine debris, sharks, sea turtles, and more. The NOAA Back to School Kits also lay out lesson plans and activities related to other areas of marine and atmospheric science organized by grade level. We wish you a wonderful 2025-26 academic year!

Small-Boat Commercial Fishing Greenhorn Apprenticeship

The Small-Boat Commercial Fishing Greenhorn Apprenticeship is a 5-week program organized by the New England Young Fishermen's Alliance that provides training and mentorship to individuals, ages 18-45 who are interested in launching a career on local commercial fishing vessels in New England. Participants will complete U.S. Coast Guard-certified training, receive First Aid/CPR certification, spend days at sea working alongside fisherman mentors, and more.

Learn more on the New England Young Fishermen's Alliance website.