Maine Coastal Program
Forecasted
Maine Coastal Program supports coastal communities with planning, feasibility, and design projects to strengthen waterfront resilience, protect working waterfronts, and improve public shoreline access.
Funder: Maine Office of Community Affairs
Due Dates (Anticipated): September 2028 (Full application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Approximately $450,000 per round; $5,000–$50,000 for single applicants; up to $75,000 for collaborative projects
Summary: Supports planning, feasibility, and design projects that strengthen Maine’s coastal resilience, waterfront infrastructure, and public shoreline access.
Key Information: Eligible applicants are Maine coastal municipalities, unorganized townships, Tribal Governments, and coastal Regional Councils.
Description
The Maine Coastal Program (MCP), housed within the Maine Office of Community Affairs, supports sustainable use, development, and conservation of Maine’s coastal zone. It administers Shore and Harbor Planning Grants and supports Coastal Community Grants in partnership with the Municipal Planning Assistance Program. These competitive grants fund shoreline access planning, waterfront and harbor planning, resolution of waterfront use conflicts, and planning, feasibility, and design work for resilient waterfront infrastructure.
The program helps communities assess coastal hazards, protect working waterfronts, improve public access, and plan for flooding, erosion, storm surge, and changing ocean conditions. Partnerships and regional collaboration are strongly encouraged. Planning projects supported through Shore and Harbor grants are often well prepared to compete for construction funding from other sources. MCP also provides technical assistance and coordinates coastal stewardship, habitat restoration, and working waterfront initiatives.
