Beach & Waterfront Access Grants
Forecasted
Beach & Waterfront Access Grants support coastal local governments in acquiring land and improving facilities to expand pedestrian access to North Carolina’s beaches and public trust waters.
Funder: North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Due Dates (Anticipated): April 2027 (Pre-application) | July 2027 (Final application)
Funding Amounts: No maximum request; approximately $1.5 million anticipated for FY 2026–27; 18-month contracts
Summary: Matching grants help coastal local governments acquire land and improve pedestrian access to North Carolina’s beaches and public trust waters.
Key Information: Applicants must be coastal counties or their municipalities with public trust waters within their jurisdictions.
Description
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management (DCM) administers matching grants to improve pedestrian access to beaches and public trust waters in the state’s 20 coastal counties. Supported work includes land and easement acquisition, access construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance at previously funded sites in Tier 1 communities.
Projects may include ADA beach access mats, dune crossovers, boardwalks, piers, parking, restrooms, accessibility improvements, and urban waterfront revitalization. Boat launches and nature-based features are eligible components when pedestrian access remains a major part of the project. Priorities include land acquisition, designs exceeding ADA requirements, and resilient, nature-based features that support, protect, and enhance access.
