DOVER — Approximately $19 million in federal funding to combat marine debris in coastal communities is available, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Wednesday.

The monies are a component of nearly $3 billion in targeted investments by the agency in the areas of habitat restoration, coastal resilience and weather-forecasting infrastructure through the bipartisan infrastructure law.

The two funding opportunities are:

• The Marine Debris Challenge Competition, which will include approximately $16 million to support innovative research-to-application projects addressing the prevention and removal of marine debris, with award periods of three years. This contest is open to any person or group in the U.S. or its territories or tribal nations.
• The Marine Debris Community Action Coalitions Opportunity, which will disperse approximately $3 million to support the creation of partnerships to address marine debris prevention and removal.

Letters of intent and applications for both initiatives must be submitted through Sea Grant Programs. Those interested should contact one or more of the 34 such entities for information.

Applicants to both are encouraged to draft proposals placing an emphasis on engagement with localities, especially those that have traditionally been underrepresented and underserved.