Application Notes:

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on October 27, 2025.

Applications must be submitted online at www.ecivis.com/grants.gov or www.grantsolutions.gov.

Applications must include:

• SF 424
• SF 424A or SF 424C (as applicable)
• SF LLL (if applicable)
• Project abstract summary
• Project narrative
• Budget narrative
• Maps, drawings, and images (if applicable)
• Detailed responses to the project selection criteria
• Conflict of interest and unresolved matters disclosure (if applicable)
• Overlap or duplication of effort statement
• Uniform audit reporting statement
• Indirect cost statement and copy of current negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (if applicable)

The following are required in order to submit an application:

• Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number
• SAM (System for Award Management) registration
• SPOC (state Single Point of Contact) notification

Applicants may obtain a UEI number and verify or renew SAM registration status at www.ecivis.com/sam. Applicants in states participating in the SPOC program must contact the relevant SPOC listed in the SPOC file before applying.

Applicants requesting assistance with an application are encouraged to contact the appropriate regional office listed on pages 3-4 of the NOFA file at least four weeks prior to the application deadline.

Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Need, access, and cost efficiency:
  • Proposed boating infrastructure meets need for more or improved facilities (10 points)
  • Eligible users receive benefits from the proposed boating infrastructure that justify the cost of the project (7 points)
  • Proposed boating infrastructure accommodates boater access to significant destinations and services that support transient boater travel (3 points)
• Match and partnerships:
  • Project includes private, local, or state funds greater than the required minimum match (7 points)
  • Project includes contributions by private or public partners that contribute to the project objectives (3 points)
• Innovation:
  • Project includes physical components, technology, or techniques that improve eligible user access (3 points)
  • Project includes innovative physical components, technology, or techniques that improve the project (2 points)
  • Facility where the project is located demonstrates a commitment to environmental compliance, sustainability, and stewardship and an agency or organization has officially recognized the facility for its commitment (1 point)

Refer to the NOFA file for additional application information.

Match Notes:

In general, applicants must provide at least 25 percent of the total project costs via nonfederal cash or in-kind contributions. Applicants that provide cash contributions in excess of the required minimum will receive additional points during the application evaluation process, as detailed on page 22 of the NOFA file. The matching requirement is waived for applicants in American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In general, matching contributions may include the value of a structure completed before the project period; however, the funding agency must approve the activity as a pre-award cost.

In their application, applicants must describe any relationship between the proposed project and other related work funded by federal awards that is planned, anticipated, or underway.

Matching contributions may not include the value of real property.

Funding Notes:

An unspecified amount of funding is available for this program overall, with an estimated $14 million available through this component to support an expected 26 awards of up to $1.5 million each.

Award notifications are expected to be issued by March or April 2026.

The project period is expected to begin on March 20, 2026, and end on March 19, 2029. Award recipients may request a two-year extension in writing prior to the end of the original project period.

Applicants must proportionally allocate, or prorate, costs if a proposed facility will be used by anyone other than boaters operating transient recreational vessels at least 26 feet in length.

Contingency costs estimated using broadly accepted cost estimating methodologies are allowable, but must be separately identified in the budget and must comply with federal cost principles, be necessary and reasonable for proper and efficient accomplishment of project or program objectives, and be verifiable from financial records.

Dredging is allowable if the federal portion of all costs associated with the dredging activity does not exceed $200,000 per award.

Funds may not be used for:

• Services or structures for food service, retail, or lodging, including ship stores, food courts, and hotels
• New construction or renovation of parking lots and access roads adjacent to boating facilities for transient, recreational vehicles
• Acquisition of real property

For FY 2025, a total of $9,494,627 was distributed via ten awards ranging from $439,568 to $1.5 million through this component. For FY 2024, a total of $17,385,629 was recommended for funding via 14 awards ranging from $439,746 to $1.5 million through this component. For FY 2023, a total of $17,514,293 was distributed via 16 awards ranging from $335,664 to $1.5 million through this component. Refer to the Award file for details.