---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 U.S.C. § 1973"
title: "33"
title_heading: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
number: "1973"
heading: "Agreement with the Marine Debris Foundation"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/33/1973"
units:
  - "Chapter 33A — Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction"
  - "Subchapter III — Genius Prize for Save Our Seas Innovations"
---

# §1973. Agreement with the Marine Debris Foundation

- (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/33/1971.md?p=2) may offer to enter into an agreement, which may include a grant or cooperative agreement, under which the [Marine Debris](/usc/33/1981.md?p=6) Foundation established under subchapter II may administer the [prize competition](/usc/33/1971.md?p=1).
- (b) **Requirements—** An agreement entered into under [subsection (a)](#a) shall comply with the following requirements:
  - (1) **Duties—** The [Marine Debris](/usc/33/1981.md?p=6) Foundation shall—
    - (A) advertise the [prize competition](/usc/33/1971.md?p=1);
    - (B) solicit [prize competition](/usc/33/1971.md?p=1) participants;
    - (C) administer funds relating to the [prize competition](/usc/33/1971.md?p=1);
    - (D) receive Federal and [non-Federal funds](/usc/33/1981.md?p=8)—
      - (i) to administer the [prize competition](/usc/33/1971.md?p=1); and
      - (ii) to award a cash prize;
    - (E) carry out activities to generate contributions of [non-Federal funds](/usc/33/1981.md?p=8) to offset, in whole or in part—
      - (i) the administrative costs of the [prize competition](/usc/33/1971.md?p=1); and
      - (ii) the costs of a cash prize;
    - (F) in the design and award of the prize, consult, as appropriate with experts from—
      - (i) Federal agencies with jurisdiction over the prevention of [marine debris](/usc/33/1981.md?p=6) or the promotion of innovative materials;
      - (ii) [State](/usc/33/1981.md?p=13) agencies with jurisdiction over the prevention of [marine debris](/usc/33/1981.md?p=6) or the promotion of innovative materials;
      - (iii) [State](/usc/33/1981.md?p=13), regional, or local conservation or [post-consumer materials management](/usc/33/1981.md?p=10) organizations, the mission of which relates to the prevention of [marine debris](/usc/33/1981.md?p=6) or the promotion of innovative materials;
      - (iv) conservation groups, technology companies, research institutions, scientists (including those with expertise in marine environments) institutions of higher education, industry, or individual stakeholders with an interest in the prevention of [marine debris](/usc/33/1981.md?p=6) or the promotion of innovative materials;
      - (v) experts in the area of standards development regarding the degradation, breakdown, or recycling of polymers; and
      - (vi) other relevant experts of the Board’s choosing;
    - (G) in consultation with, and subject to final approval by, the [Secretary](/usc/33/1971.md?p=2), develop criteria for the selection of [prize competition](/usc/33/1971.md?p=1) winners;
    - (H) provide advice and consultation to the [Secretary](/usc/33/1971.md?p=2) on the selection of judges under [section 1974 of this title](/usc/33/1974.md) based on criteria developed in consultation with, and subject to the final approval of, the [Secretary](/usc/33/1971.md?p=2);
    - (I) announce 1 or more annual winners of the [prize competition](/usc/33/1971.md?p=1);
    - (J) subject to [paragraph (2)](#b-2), award 1 or more cash prizes biennially of not less than $100,000; and
    - (K) protect against unauthorized use or disclosure by the [Marine Debris](/usc/33/1981.md?p=6) Foundation of any trade secret or confidential business information of a [prize competition](/usc/33/1971.md?p=1) participant.
  - (2) **Additional cash prizes—** The [Marine Debris](/usc/33/1981.md?p=6) Foundation may award more than 1 cash prize in a year—
    - (A) if the initial cash prize referred to in [paragraph (1)(J)](#b-1-J) and any additional cash prizes are awarded using only [non-Federal funds](/usc/33/1981.md?p=8); and
    - (B) consisting of an amount determined by the [Under Secretary](/usc/33/1981.md?p=16) after the [Secretary](/usc/33/1971.md?p=2) is notified by the [Marine Debris](/usc/33/1981.md?p=6) Foundation that [non-Federal funds](/usc/33/1981.md?p=8) are available for an additional cash prize.
  - (3) **Solicitation of funds—** The [Marine Debris](/usc/33/1981.md?p=6) Foundation—
    - (A) may request and accept Federal funds and [non-Federal funds](/usc/33/1981.md?p=8) for a cash prize or administration of the [prize competition](/usc/33/1971.md?p=1);
    - (B) may accept a contribution for a cash prize in exchange for the right to name the prize; and
    - (C) shall not give special consideration to any Federal agency or non-Federal entity in exchange for a donation for a cash prize awarded under this section.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–449, § 123, formerly Pub. L. 116–224, title I, § 123, Dec. 18, 2020, 134 Stat. 1082; renumbered Pub. L. 109–449, § 123, and amended Pub. L. 119–65, §§ 4(a), 6(c), Dec. 26, 2025, 139 Stat. 1989, 1990.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 4233 of this title prior to renumbering by Pub. L. 119–65.

### Amendments

2025—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 119–65, § 6(c), substituted “subchapter II” for “title I”.