State Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) Grant Program 2026

The State Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) Grant Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Office of Auxiliary & Boating Safety, supports states in reducing boating-related accidents, injuries, and fatalities. The initiative is grounded in a strategic framework focused on boater behavior, safety equipment, and leveraging data to enhance public safety on waterways. The federal assistance type is a cooperative agreement, underscoring the USCG’s substantial involvement via Memorandums of Agreement with participating states to implement and oversee the RBS program. The program aims to foster a secure, enjoyable recreational boating experience while aligning with broader environmental and national security priorities. It allocates funding to states to support a variety of boating safety initiatives, including education, enforcement, navigational aids, and public access infrastructure. Each state must provide a non-federal cost share, contributing at least 50% of the total program costs annually, as stipulated by 46 U.S.C. §13104. Eligible expenditures include personnel, equipment (e.g., boats, trailers, radios), construction of public access sites, education programming, and administrative functions. This funding opportunity is limited exclusively to designated state authorities, with eligibility determined by statute. Fifty-six awards are anticipated, matching the number of eligible states and territories, with total funding expected to be $129,143,906 for the fiscal year. Awards are reimbursable up to half of the state’s total eligible expenditures. Funding is not intended for lobbying, litigation against government entities, or matching other federal awards. Indirect costs are permitted under specific guidelines, requiring supporting documentation or negotiated rate agreements. Applicants are required to submit several core documents, including the SF-424, SF-424A (or budget tool), equipment lists, assurances, and narrative components. Additional documents are needed if the application includes construction projects. The narrative must provide detailed descriptions of administrative procedures, education and enforcement activities, public access projects, and other program elements. Site-specific documentation such as maps and detailed project rationales are required for construction activities. Applications open on October 17, 2025, and must be submitted by December 17, 2025, via Grants.gov. Awards are made on a rolling basis following the transfer of funds from the U.S. Department of the Interior to the USCG. The anticipated award date is no later than March 31, 2026. The period of performance runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. This is a recurring, annual funding opportunity, with allocations typically reviewed and adjusted based on carryover and prior-year unobligated balances. States are encouraged to reach out to their USCG Grants Management Specialist for technical support. The primary contact listed is Cynthia Dudzinski at cynthia.m.dudzinski@uscg.mil.

Ensure budget aligns exactly with narrative and SF-424; include only what is achievable within the performance year; prorate shared-use equipment accurately.