F26AS00008_FY 2026 - Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act - Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Tier 1 | F26AS00008

Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program, Tier 1 (F26AS00008, FY 2026) FAQs

What is the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program, Tier 1 (F26AS00008, FY 2026)?

F26AS00008 (FY 2026) is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service discretionary grant opportunity under the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act. It is the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program, Tier 1, which provides cost-sharing funds to help states and territories maintain, renovate, or build boating facilities that serve transient recreational boaters.

What is the main purpose of BIG Tier 1 funding?

The purpose is to improve boating infrastructure and related amenities for transient recreational boaters, with an emphasis on facilities that support larger recreational vessels (at least 26 feet long) used primarily for pleasure, including vessels operated, leased, rented, or chartered for recreational purposes.

What types of boaters and vessels are the program designed to serve?

The program emphasizes infrastructure and amenities that support recreational vessels that are at least 26 feet long and used primarily for pleasure, including recreational charter, rental, or leased operations.

What does "transient" mean for BIG Tier 1 eligibility?

To align with the program purpose, the facility must serve transient users, meaning boats staying at the site for no more than 15 days.

Is public access required for funded facilities?

Yes. A key condition described in the opportunity is that funded facilities must provide public access.

Can projects take place at privately owned marinas or facilities?

Yes. Projects may take place at publicly or privately owned facilities as long as the public-access requirement is met and the facility serves transient users (no more than 15 days).

What types of infrastructure projects are eligible under BIG Tier 1?

The opportunity lists examples such as constructing or renovating boat slips and docks (including piers, dinghy/courtesy docks, day docks, and gangways), and installing mooring buoys.

What types of boater amenities can BIG Tier 1 support?

Examples in the announcement include developing or upgrading fuel stations, restrooms, showers, utilities, and laundry facilities, as well as other amenities that support larger transient recreational vessels.

Are navigation and informational features eligible?

Yes. The opportunity notes eligible work can include navigational and informational features such as buoys, beacons, signals, markers, and signs.

Can BIG Tier 1 funds be used for lighting, communications, or security improvements?

Yes. The announcement recognizes the importance of safe navigation and secure facilities and indicates eligible work can include lighting and communications as well as security-related features.

Are administrative or program management costs eligible?

The opportunity indicates that administrative, coordination, and monitoring costs may be eligible when they support one or more BIG Tier 1 or Tier 2 awards. This may be relevant for agencies managing multiple sites or subawards.

Is this a fully federally funded grant?

No. BIG Tier 1 is a cost-sharing program, not a 100% federally funded award.

What is the maximum federal award amount for FY 2026 BIG Tier 1?

The maximum federal share (award ceiling) for FY 2026 BIG Tier 1 is $300,000 per award.

What match is required for BIG Tier 1 awards?

Applicants must plan for at least a 25 percent non-federal match toward the total project cost. This means the federal portion cannot exceed 75 percent of total project costs.

Who can provide the non-federal match?

The non-federal match can be provided by the recipient agency, a subrecipient, and/or another third party.

What should applicants document regarding the match?

The opportunity notes that the budget needs to clearly document where the non-federal share will come from and how it will be tracked.

Who is eligible to apply for F26AS00008?

Eligibility is limited to designated government agencies: the governor-designated agencies in the 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; the designated agencies for Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands; and the mayor-designated agency for the District of Columbia.

Can a local government, nonprofit, port authority, or private marina apply directly?

Generally, no. The opportunity states that eligibility flows through the designated state or territorial applicant rather than individual marinas, local governments, nonprofits, or private entities applying directly.

Can other organizations participate in projects funded by BIG Tier 1?

Yes. Other organizations may participate as partners or subrecipients (for example, a local port authority or a privately owned marina), but they generally must work through the designated state or territorial applicant and still meet key requirements such as public access and transient use.

What is the funding instrument and grant type?

The opportunity is a discretionary grant (Funding Instrument: Grant) and is categorized under Natural Resources.

What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this program?

The announcement identifies CFDA/Assistance Listing 15.622.

What regulations govern eligible and ineligible activities?

The announcement points applicants to the BIG Program regulations at 50 CFR 86 for the full set of eligible and ineligible activities and participation requirements.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is F26AS00008.

What is the application deadline shown in the opportunity?

The original closing date shown is October 27, 2025.

What should an organization do if it is unsure whether it is the designated eligible applicant?

The opportunity directs anyone unsure about whether their entity is the designated eligible applicant to contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, specifically the Regional Office of Conservation Investment contacts referenced in the announcement, before spending time preparing an application.