Funder: Maritime Administration
Due Dates: April 30, 2025 (11:59 p.m. EDT)
Funding Amounts: Total: $450 million | Typical award up to $112.5M; small projects at small ports max $11.25M | Federal share up to 80% (may be higher for rural/small port projects)
Summary: Supports capital and planning projects to improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of goods movement through U.S. ports, with set-asides for small ports and rural areas.
Key Information: Applicants are limited to one application; at least 25% of funds reserved for small projects at small ports; registration in SAM.gov and Grants.gov required (allow 2–4 weeks).
Description
The Maritime Administration (MARAD) offers this competitive grant program to fund projects that enhance the safety, efficiency, and reliability of goods movement through U.S. ports and their intermodal connections. The program supports both capital and planning projects, with a focus on improving port infrastructure, operational efficiency, environmental sustainability, and resilience to climate and supply chain disruptions. Special emphasis is placed on supporting small ports, rural areas, and projects that advance equity, climate, and workforce development priorities.
Due Dates
- Application Deadline: April 30, 2025, at 11:59:59 p.m. EDT
- Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov.
- Registration in SAM.gov and Grants.gov is required; allow 2–4 weeks for processing.
Funding Amount
- Total Available: $450,000,000 (FY 2025)
- Award Ceiling: $112,500,000 per project (no more than 25% of total funds to any one state)
- Small Projects at Small Ports: Maximum $11,250,000 per award; at least 25% of total funding ($112.5M) reserved for these projects
- Federal Share: Up to 80% of total project costs; may be increased for rural area projects or small projects at small ports
- Project Period: Funds must be obligated by September 30, 2029, and expended within five years of obligation
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include:
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments (with a transportation function)
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Public agencies or publicly chartered authorities established by one or more states
- Multistate or multijurisdictional groups of the above entities
- Lead eligible entities jointly with private entities (private entities cannot be the lead)
Note: Federal agencies and individuals are not eligible. Each applicant may submit only one application (which may include multiple components if functionally related).
Eligible Projects
Projects must be:
- Within the boundary of a port, or
- Directly related to port operations or intermodal connections to a port
Eligible activities include:
- Capital projects to improve loading/unloading, movement of goods, operational efficiency, or port resilience
- Environmental and emissions mitigation (e.g., electrification, equipment retrofits, idling reduction, charging/refueling infrastructure)
- Infrastructure supporting seafood and seafood-related businesses
- Planning, feasibility analysis, environmental review, permitting, and preliminary engineering/design (for planning grants)
Ineligible activities:
- Construction or purchase of vessels (except in rare cases)
- Projects within small shipyards
- Improvements to federally owned facilities (except on Tribal land)
- Fully automated cargo handling equipment that would result in net job loss
Application Process
- Register in SAM.gov and Grants.gov (allow 2–4 weeks).
- Prepare application package including:
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424C (Budget Information – Construction Programs, recommended)
- Project narrative (max 30 pages, PDF)
- Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) for large projects (not required for small projects at small ports)
- Supporting documents (e.g., maps, letters of commitment, NEPA status, etc.)
- Submit via Grants.gov by the deadline. Only the most recent application will be considered if multiple are submitted.
- Review process: Applications are evaluated on eligibility, merit criteria (safety, efficiency, economic vitality, leveraging, resilience), and alignment with departmental priorities (climate, equity, workforce).
Detailed instructions and forms:
Additional Information
- Matching Requirement: Federal share generally limited to 80%, but may be higher for rural/small port projects.
- Set-Asides: At least 25% of funds for small projects at small ports; no more than 25% to any one state.
- Award Announcements: Expected by November 14, 2025.
- Reimbursement Basis: Funds are reimbursed after costs are incurred and approved.
- Compliance: Projects must comply with Build America, Buy America Act, prevailing wage requirements, and civil rights laws.
- Reporting: Quarterly progress and financial reports required; performance reporting for three years post-completion.
External Links
Contact Information