The FY 2026 Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Notice of Funding Opportunity, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, provides cost-sharing awards to support recreational boating facilities that prevent waste disposal into public waterways.

Overview

The Clean Vessel Act Grant Program (CVA) provides cost sharing awards to designated agencies of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The program aims to provide recreational boaters with facilities to prevent waste disposal into public waterways and improve recreational boating opportunities. Funding for CVA comes from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund and is authorized by the Clean Vessel Act of 1992 and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act, as amended.

Funding and Benefits

• Program Funding: $15,000,000
• Expected Awards: 34
• Award Maximum: $1,500,000
• Award Minimum: Not specified
• Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: Yes
• Funding Instrument Type: Grant
• Opportunity Category: Discretionary
• Category of Funding Activity: Natural resources

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include governor-designated agencies of the United States, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands; and the mayor-designated agency of the District of Columbia. State governments are the primary eligible applicants.

Third parties such as privately owned and operated marinas may partner with a recipient to receive funding through a subaward at the recipient's discretion but are not eligible to directly receive an award. Marina owners or managers or other third-party representatives may contact the recipient for information on partnership opportunities.

Application Process

Electronically submitted applications must be submitted through GrantSolutions or Grants.gov. The Service recommends submittal early enough to address any unforeseen technical complications. The Service will not consider applications received after the due date. Revision and resubmission of an application is allowable until the closing date and time identified in this Notice.

Applicants requesting assistance with an application are encouraged to contact the Regional Office of Conservation Investment at least four weeks prior to the due date. Technical assistance with applications is contingent upon availability of staff and is not guaranteed.

The Service must verify that an applicant has submitted sufficient compliance and permitting information when applicable. If a project is expected to require documentation to ensure compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, or other laws or regulations, the Service recommends prompt submittal of any necessary information to the Regional Office of Conservation Investment as soon as possible after notification of selection for an award.

Deadline and Timeline

• Closing: July 22, 2026
• Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM, ET, on the listed application due date.
• Posted Date: April 24, 2026
• Archive Date: December 31, 2030

Contact Information

Grantor Contact: Nick Popoff
Email: nicholas_popoff@fws.gov
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service
Assistance Listings: 15.616 -- Clean Vessel Act
Funding Opportunity Number: F26AS00013

For more information, contact your Regional Office of Conservation Investment (see Regional Program Contacts in this Notice under "Basic Information").