F26AS00013 FY 2026 Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Notice of Funding Opportunity

The Clean Vessel Act Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a bureau within the U.S. Department of the Interior, and is authorized under the Clean Vessel Act of 1992 and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act. The program is funded through the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund and is designed to support environmental protection and recreational boating infrastructure across the United States and its territories. The Service’s Office of Conservation Investment oversees implementation, distributing funds to eligible state and territorial agencies to improve water quality and boating access by reducing sewage discharge into public waterways. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide cost-sharing grants to designated government agencies to support the construction, renovation, operation, and maintenance of pumpout stations and waste reception facilities for recreational vessels. These facilities are essential for proper disposal of sewage from marine sanitation devices, which helps protect drinking water supplies and aquatic ecosystems. In addition to infrastructure, the program also supports educational initiatives to inform boaters about environmental impacts and proper waste disposal practices. Administrative and coordination activities at the state level are also eligible uses of funds. Funding under this opportunity includes a total estimated program allocation of $15,000,000, with approximately 34 awards expected. Individual awards typically range from $30,000 to $1,500,000, with an average award size of approximately $500,000. Coastal states may apply for up to $3,000,000 in total federal funding, split between coastal and inland activities, while inland states are limited to $1,500,000. A cost-sharing requirement applies in most cases, with federal funding covering up to 75 percent of total project costs, requiring a 25 percent non-federal match. However, this requirement is waived for certain U.S. territories including Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Eligible applicants are limited to governor-designated state agencies across all 50 states, as well as designated agencies in U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. While private entities such as marinas are not eligible to apply directly, they may participate as subrecipients through partnerships with eligible applicants. Activities must provide public benefits and cannot include law enforcement, upland restroom construction, or sewage treatment plant construction. The program emphasizes projects that enhance public access and environmental protection, and applicants are encouraged to align proposals with national initiatives such as America250. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov or GrantSolutions.gov by July 22, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Required application components include standard federal forms such as SF-424, budget forms, a project narrative (limited to 10 pages), and a budget narrative detailing costs and matching contributions. The project narrative must clearly outline objectives, methodology, anticipated outcomes, compliance considerations, and project timeline. Applicants must also complete required registrations in SAM.gov and Grants.gov prior to submission. The evaluation process includes eligibility screening, merit review, and risk assessment. Applications are assessed based on completeness, alignment with program objectives, and compliance with federal regulations. If total funding requests exceed available funds, a scoring and proportional allocation process is used to distribute awards. The Service aims to notify selected applicants by January 2027, with project start dates anticipated around March 1, 2027, and a typical period of performance of up to three years. Program oversight continues post-award through reporting requirements and compliance monitoring. Recipients must submit financial and performance reports, maintain facilities for the agreed period, and ensure compliance with federal environmental and procurement regulations. Contacts for assistance include the national program lead and regional offices, which provide technical support and guidance throughout the application process.

Ensure project clearly aligns with CVA objectives; provide detailed and compliant budget narratives; submit early to avoid technical issues; include all required federal forms and compliance documentation