F26AS00009_FY 2026 - Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act - Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Tier 2

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released the Fiscal Year 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Tier 2 program under the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act. This program provides cost-sharing awards to state-level agencies designated by governors or the mayor of the District of Columbia, as well as agencies in U.S. territories including Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The program aims to fund construction, renovation, and maintenance of boating facilities for transient recreational vessels at least 26 feet long that are operated for pleasure and stay at a facility no more than 15 days. The program is authorized under 16 U.S.C. §777g-1 and supported through the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. The stated purpose of the BIG Tier 2 program is to improve public boating infrastructure nationwide. Eligible projects may include the construction or renovation of boat slips, piers, courtesy docks, mooring buoys, gangways, fueling stations, restrooms, showers, laundry facilities, lighting, communications, signs, and security features. Other eligible activities may cover dredging, environmental and engineering studies, breakwaters and wave attenuators, debris removal, and maintenance of facilities during the award period. Projects must provide public access, though facilities may be either publicly or privately owned, and must clearly designate access for BIG-eligible vessels. Proposals may also include communications or educational efforts about BIG-funded facilities, but costs tied to ineligible amenities such as lodging, retail, or food services are not allowable. The funding parameters for FY 2026 include an estimated $14,000,000 in total program funding, with an expected 26 awards to be distributed. Individual awards are capped at a maximum federal share of $1,500,000, with average past awards at approximately $885,000. Applicants in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii must provide at least 25 percent in non-federal cost share or matching funds. The territories of Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands are exempt from the cost-sharing requirement, though they can still earn merit review points if they provide additional cash-based contributions. Cost share may be provided by recipient agencies or third parties such as subrecipients or contractors. Applications must be submitted through either Grants.gov or GrantSolutions.gov. Registration with SAM.gov and Grants.gov is required before submission, a process that can take several weeks. Required application documents include SF-424 forms, a Project Narrative, a Budget Narrative, maps or drawings of project sites, disclosure forms such as SF-LLL if applicable, and supporting documents for compliance with federal requirements. The Project Narrative must demonstrate project need, purpose, objectives, anticipated results, approach, relationship to other awards, and compliance with federal laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act. Applicants must also describe cost allocations between eligible and ineligible uses of facilities. Applications are evaluated using a merit review process guided by 50 CFR 86. Criteria include demonstrated need and access, cost efficiency, matching contributions, partnerships, innovation, and environmental stewardship. The maximum score is 36 points. Applications are also reviewed for completeness, eligibility, risk assessments, financial integrity, and compliance with federal law and executive orders. The Service will notify successful applicants by March or April 2026. Awards are expected to begin March 20, 2026, with a typical period of performance of up to three years, extendable to five years with approval. The closing date for applications is October 27, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The Service strongly recommends applicants submit early to avoid technical issues. Assistance with application preparation is available through regional conservation investment offices, and applicants are encouraged to reach out at least four weeks before the deadline. The national program contact is Paul Van Ryzin, who can be reached at Paul_VanRyzin@fws.gov or 720-498-0335. Regional contacts are also listed for each U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service region. Post-award requirements include performance reporting through TRACS and GrantSolutions, adherence to Buy America provisions for construction materials, and maintaining public accessibility and safety standards at funded facilities.

Submit early, contact Regional Office four weeks before deadline, and clearly document cost allocation and useful life estimates.