USCG FY2027 State Recreational Boating Safety Grant Program (funding opportunity DHS-USCG-STATE-2027) provides formula cooperative-agreement funding for state recreational boating safety programs designed to reduce boating accidents, injuries, and deaths.
Who can apply: This program is not open to the public. Only the designated state authority or agency may apply, and each state may submit one application. Applicants must have an approved recreational boating safety program covering enforcement, education, casualty reporting, and certificates of number, plus a signed Memorandum of Agreement with the Coast Guard.
Deadline: Applications are due October 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT through Grants.gov. Applicants must maintain active SAM.gov registration with a Unique Entity Identifier and active Grants.gov registration.
Funding: The Coast Guard expects $126,888,345 in total FY2027 funding and anticipates 55 awards. The controlling NOFO lists an expected award range of approximately $780,000 to $12,400,000, based on the FY2027 estimated allocation memo and chart. The program is a noncompetitive formula cooperative agreement.
Cost share: State share is required. Under 46 U.S.C. § 13104(b), the federal amount may not exceed one-half of the total cost of the state recreational boating safety program for the fiscal year. The state share must therefore be at least equal to the federal share. Eligible approved recreational boating safety expenditures may count toward state share unless already counted toward another federal award.
Required application materials: The application includes a Program Narrative using Appendix B, a budget using the Coast Guard Budget Tool or SF-424A, and Appendix C Equipment List. Construction or public-access projects require a separate SF-424C for each project plus the supporting documentation and maps specified in the narrative instructions. Applicants using a current federally negotiated indirect cost rate should include the applicable rate agreement.
Program purpose: Funds support annually approved state recreational boating safety activities. Coast Guard performance measures include recreational boating fatalities, state and local patrol and search-and-rescue hours, and completion of state boating education courses.
Official source: U.S. Coast Guard / Simpler.Grants.gov.