Opportunity Information: Apply for F26AS00013
The FY 2026 Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Notice of Funding Opportunity (F26AS00013) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that helps states and certain U.S. territories expand and improve services that keep sewage and related waste from being discharged into public waterways by recreational boats. The core purpose is practical and prevention-focused: fund projects that give boaters reliable, convenient places to properly dispose of vessel waste, which in turn protects water quality and supports better recreational boating experiences. The program uses a cost-sharing approach, meaning federal funds are intended to partner with non-federal contributions rather than cover 100 percent of a project.
Funding for the CVA program comes from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, and the legal authority traces back to the Clean Vessel Act of 1992 (33 U.S.C. 1322 Note) along with the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777 et seq.), as amended. In plain terms, the program sits within the broader federal framework that channels excise-tax-supported trust fund dollars into boating and fisheries-related conservation and access projects. The practical outcome for applicants is that this is an established, recurring funding stream with a clear environmental compliance and boater-services mission.
Eligible applicants are not individual marinas, local governments, or nonprofits applying on their own. Eligibility is limited to the governor-designated agency in each of the 50 states and certain territories (Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), plus the mayor-designated agency for the District of Columbia. Those designated agencies apply directly to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and if awarded, they manage the grant and decide how to implement projects across their jurisdiction. The notice makes a point of clarifying that third parties, including privately owned and operated marinas, cannot receive CVA funds directly as the prime award recipient. However, they can still be involved through partnerships if the designated state or territorial agency chooses to issue subawards or otherwise support marina-based installations and upgrades as part of its funded plan. In practice, this means marina owners or operators who want to participate should approach their state or territorial CVA lead agency to ask about partnership or subaward opportunities.
From the opportunity listing details, this is a grant (funding instrument type: Grant) under the natural resources funding activity category, with CFDA number 15.616. The expected number of awards is 34, and the maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $1,500,000. The opportunity was created on 2026-04-24, and the original application closing date is 2026-07-22. For program navigation and applicant support, the notice directs interested parties to work through the relevant Regional Office of Conservation Investment contacts identified in the notice under the basic information section, which is especially important for confirming the correct designated agency point of contact, understanding regional priorities, and aligning proposed projects with program requirements.
Overall, this funding opportunity is best understood as a state-and-territory administered pass-through style program designed to expand boating sanitation infrastructure and related services that reduce pollution in navigable waters. It rewards applicants that can plan and execute on-the-ground improvements by coordinating with marina operators and other boating access stakeholders, while keeping formal accountability and grant compliance with the designated government agency that holds the award.Apply for F26AS00013
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "F26AS00013 FY 2026 Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Notice of Funding Opportunity" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.616.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-04-24.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-07-22. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 34 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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FY 2026 Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Grant (F26AS00013) - FAQs
What is the FY 2026 Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Notice of Funding Opportunity?
The FY 2026 Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) (F26AS00013) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It supports projects that expand and improve services that prevent sewage and related waste from being discharged into public waterways by recreational boats.
What problem is this grant trying to solve?
The core goal is prevention-focused: helping ensure boaters have reliable and convenient places to properly dispose of vessel sewage and related waste, which helps protect water quality and supports better recreational boating experiences.
Who runs and administers the CVA grant program?
The program is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with applications submitted by governor-designated (or mayor-designated for D.C.) agencies in eligible states and territories.
Is this program a grant or a contract?
This opportunity uses the grant funding instrument type (Funding Instrument Type: Grant).
What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?
The funding activity category is Natural Resources.
What is the CFDA number listed for this program?
The CFDA number provided is 15.616.
Where does the funding come from?
Funding comes from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, which is part of a broader federal framework that directs trust fund dollars into boating and conservation-related efforts.
What is the legal authority for the CVA program?
The legal authority includes the Clean Vessel Act of 1992 (33 U.S.C. 1322 Note) and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777 et seq.), as amended.
Who is eligible to apply as the prime applicant?
Eligibility is limited to the governor-designated agency in each of the 50 states and certain U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), plus the mayor-designated agency for the District of Columbia.
Can a marina apply directly for CVA funds?
No. The notice explicitly clarifies that privately owned and operated marinas (and other third parties) cannot receive CVA funds directly as the prime award recipient.
Can local governments or nonprofits apply directly as the prime recipient?
No. Based on the eligibility description provided, individual marinas, local governments, or nonprofits cannot apply on their own as the prime award recipient. Only the designated state, territorial, or D.C. agency may apply directly to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
If marinas cannot be the prime recipient, how can they participate?
Marinas can still be involved through partnerships if the designated state or territorial agency chooses to issue subawards or otherwise support marina-based installations and upgrades as part of the funded plan.
Who should a marina owner or operator contact to pursue funding?
Marina owners or operators should contact their state or territorial CVA lead agency to ask about partnership or subaward opportunities under the jurisdiction's CVA plan.
How does the cost-sharing approach work?
The program uses a cost-sharing approach, meaning federal funds are intended to partner with non-federal contributions rather than cover 100 percent of a project.
Does the program fully fund projects at 100 percent federal share?
No. The NOFO description indicates federal funds are meant to be combined with non-federal contributions, rather than fully funding a project.
What types of projects does this opportunity support (in general terms)?
Projects are intended to expand and improve services that keep vessel sewage and related waste from being discharged into public waterways by recreational boats, including efforts that provide boaters with convenient options to properly dispose of vessel waste.
How many awards are expected under this opportunity?
The expected number of awards is 34.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling (maximum award amount) is $1,500,000.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2026-04-24.
What is the application deadline?
The original application closing date is 2026-07-22.
What role do states and territories play after an award is made?
The designated agency manages the grant and decides how to implement projects across its jurisdiction, coordinating with marina operators and other boating access stakeholders while maintaining accountability and grant compliance.
Is this considered a pass-through style program?
Yes. It is best described as a state-and-territory administered, pass-through style program where the designated government agency is the award holder and may work with third parties through partnerships or subawards.
Who should applicants contact for program navigation and support?
The notice directs interested parties to work through the relevant Regional Office of Conservation Investment contacts identified in the NOFO's basic information section, including for confirming the correct designated agency point of contact and aligning projects with program requirements.
Why does the notice emphasize regional contacts?
Because regional contacts can help confirm the correct designated agency point of contact, clarify regional priorities, and help ensure proposed projects align with program requirements as described in the NOFO.
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