Opportunity Information: Apply for ECO NOFO FY24 02
The Marine and Blue Economy Hackathon grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: ECO NOFO FY24 02) is a U.S. Department of State-funded competition administered by the U.S. Mission to Nigeria to select one implementing partner to plan and deliver a two- to three-day hackathon in Lagos, Nigeria. The overall purpose is to address persistent gaps in Nigeria's marine and blue economy sectors, where limited technology adoption and weak coordination have contributed to missed economic opportunities, unsustainable fishing, plastic pollution, and broader environmental harm. The program also supports implementation of the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation Plan of Action while strengthening U.S.-Nigeria cooperation through practical, solution-oriented collaboration.
The selected organization will work closely with the U.S. Mission Nigeria under a cooperative agreement to design and run the event, including developing three clear, locally relevant problem statements focused on marine and blue economy priorities. These problem statements are expected to align with needs and themes emphasized by Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation member countries. Examples of priority themes include sustainable fisheries management, plastic pollution prevention, coastal community resilience, marine conservation, sustainable aquaculture management, "ghost gear" solutions, aquatic food technology advancement, improved ocean data collection and analysis, and marine spatial planning. A central part of the hackathon model is converting complex, real-world challenges into concise technical specifications that software and technology teams can build around, then guiding participants into teams that can produce actionable concepts and early-stage technical solutions.
The event is designed for approximately 60 participants drawn from across government, academia, the private sector, entrepreneurship ecosystems, and student communities, with an emphasis on working-level professionals who can both shape workable solutions and carry them forward afterward. During the hackathon, teams will collaborate to ideate, design, and develop prototypes or other demonstrable outputs that respond to the chosen problem statements. At the end of the event, solutions will be evaluated by a panel of American and Nigerian judges, and a prize will be awarded for the most innovative and impactful solution. Beyond the event itself, the opportunity anticipates continued coordination among participants to help deploy or further develop the solutions, leveraging cross-sector partnerships formed during the hackathon to improve the likelihood that the outputs translate into real-world use.
A key expectation for applicants is a strong, credible plan for inclusive participation. The implementing partner must actively recruit participants from marginalized populations and communities, maintain balanced representation across sectors and groups, and provide accessibility accommodations where needed. Program results are intended to be measurable, with example indicators including the number and quality of targeted small-group working sessions, the introduction of new tools or technologies, and the creation of prototypes that directly address the hackathon problem statements.
Funding is capped at $70,000 for a single expected award. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary and will be issued as a cooperative agreement, meaning the U.S. Mission Nigeria will remain engaged in planning and execution. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and individuals. The original application closing date listed is June 29, 2024.Apply for ECO NOFO FY24 02
- The U.S. Mission to Nigeria in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Marine and Blue Economy Hackathon" 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 2024-04-30.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-06-29. (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 $70,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals, For-profit organizations other than small businesses.
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Marine and Blue Economy Hackathon (ECO NOFO FY24 02) - Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is the Marine and Blue Economy Hackathon grant opportunity?
This is a U.S. Department of State-funded competition, administered by the U.S. Mission to Nigeria, to select one implementing partner to plan and deliver a two- to three-day hackathon in Lagos, Nigeria. The hackathon is designed to generate practical, early-stage technology solutions for challenges in Nigeria's marine and blue economy sectors.
2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is ECO NOFO FY24 02.
3) Who is funding and administering this opportunity?
The program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the U.S. Mission to Nigeria.
4) What is the main purpose of the program?
The purpose is to address persistent gaps in Nigeria's marine and blue economy sectors, where limited technology adoption and weak coordination have contributed to missed economic opportunities, unsustainable fishing, plastic pollution, and broader environmental harm.
5) How does this hackathon connect to broader international cooperation efforts?
The program supports implementation of the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation Plan of Action and is intended to strengthen U.S.-Nigeria cooperation through practical, solution-oriented collaboration.
6) What type of award will be made?
The opportunity is expected to be issued as a cooperative agreement. Under a cooperative agreement, the U.S. Mission Nigeria remains engaged in planning and execution rather than operating at arm's length.
7) Is this a discretionary or entitlement program?
It is categorized as discretionary.
8) How many awards are expected?
The opportunity is intended to select one implementing partner, with a single expected award.
9) What is the maximum funding amount available?
Funding is capped at $70,000.
10) Where will the hackathon take place?
The hackathon is planned to take place in Lagos, Nigeria.
11) How long is the hackathon event expected to last?
The implementing partner is expected to plan and deliver a two- to three-day hackathon.
12) What is the implementing partner expected to do?
The selected organization will work closely with the U.S. Mission Nigeria to design and run the event. Responsibilities described include developing three clear, locally relevant problem statements, recruiting and organizing participants, guiding team formation and work during the hackathon, and facilitating judging and prize award processes.
13) How many problem statements are required, and what are they?
The implementing partner is expected to develop three clear, locally relevant problem statements focused on marine and blue economy priorities. The problem statements are meant to translate complex real-world challenges into concise technical specifications that teams can build around.
14) What themes or topic areas can the problem statements focus on?
Examples of priority themes include sustainable fisheries management, plastic pollution prevention, coastal community resilience, marine conservation, sustainable aquaculture management, "ghost gear" solutions, aquatic food technology advancement, improved ocean data collection and analysis, and marine spatial planning.
15) Do the problem statements need to align with any specific framework?
Yes. The problem statements are expected to align with needs and themes emphasized by Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation member countries, consistent with the program's goal of supporting the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation Plan of Action.
16) What is the hackathon model expected to produce?
Teams are expected to ideate, design, and develop prototypes or other demonstrable outputs that respond to the chosen problem statements. The model emphasizes actionable concepts and early-stage technical solutions.
17) Who is the event designed for?
The event is designed for approximately 60 participants drawn from government, academia, the private sector, entrepreneurship ecosystems, and student communities, with an emphasis on working-level professionals who can shape workable solutions and carry them forward after the event.
18) How are participants expected to work during the hackathon?
Participants are expected to be guided into teams that can build around technical specifications tied to the problem statements. Teams collaborate to create demonstrable solutions (such as prototypes) during the two- to three-day event.
19) How will solutions be evaluated, and who will judge?
At the end of the event, solutions will be evaluated by a panel of American and Nigerian judges.
20) Is there a prize?
Yes. A prize is expected to be awarded for the most innovative and impactful solution.
21) Is the program only about the event, or is follow-on work expected?
The opportunity anticipates continued coordination among participants after the hackathon to help deploy or further develop solutions. It also emphasizes leveraging cross-sector partnerships formed during the event to increase the likelihood that outputs translate into real-world use.
22) What is expected regarding inclusive participation?
A strong, credible plan for inclusive participation is described as a key expectation. The implementing partner must actively recruit participants from marginalized populations and communities, maintain balanced representation across sectors and groups, and provide accessibility accommodations where needed.
23) What kinds of results or outcomes are intended to be measurable?
Program results are intended to be measurable. Example indicators include the number and quality of targeted small-group working sessions, the introduction of new tools or technologies, and the creation of prototypes that directly address the hackathon problem statements.
24) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and individuals.
25) Are small businesses eligible?
The eligibility list includes for-profit organizations other than small businesses, which indicates small businesses are not included under the stated eligible for-profit category.
26) What is the application deadline listed for this opportunity?
The original application closing date listed is June 29, 2024.
27) What is the overall goal for impact in Nigeria's marine and blue economy?
The stated intent is to help close technology and coordination gaps that contribute to missed economic opportunities and environmental harm, including issues like unsustainable fishing and plastic pollution, by producing solution-oriented, collaborative outputs that can be further developed and deployed.
28) How does the cooperative agreement affect how the project is run?
Because this is described as a cooperative agreement, the U.S. Mission Nigeria is expected to remain engaged in planning and execution with the selected implementing partner, rather than simply providing funding with minimal involvement.
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