NC Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program (Tier 1 & Tier 2)

NC Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program (Tier 1 & Tier 2) is sponsored by North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Coastal Management (DCM). Offers competitive grant funds to support projects that will help the public access coastal waters for transient recreational vessels 26 feet or longer.

NC Boating Infrastructure Grant Program | NC DEQ NC Boating Infrastructure Grant Program NC Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program The Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program provides funding for the construction, renovation, and maintenance of boating infrastructure that serves transient recreational vessels at least 26 feet in length.

Eligible projects improve public access by developing safe, accessible, and environmentally responsible boating facilities at publicly and privately owned marinas that are open to the public.

Funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, the BIG Program helps strengthen North Carolina's boating infrastructure, enhance access for transient recreational boaters, and support coastal communities and economies. The North Carolina Division of Coastal Management (DCM) administers the BIG Program on behalf of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The program was administered by the Division of Marine Fisheries from 2002 through 2024 before transitioning to DCM. The FY2027 Boating Infrastructure Grant application cycle is now open. Eligible applicants are encouraged to review the Request for Applications (RFA) and Guide for Applicants for complete program requirements, eligibility information, and application instructions before submitting a proposal.

The FY2027 Application Cycle is Now Open The North Carolina Division of Coastal Management (DCM) is accepting applications for the FY2027 Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program. Eligible applicants include private marina owners/operators, local governments, State agencies, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and other entities that own or operate eligible boating infrastructure facilities.

Eligible facilities are limited to publicly and privately owned marinas that are open to the public and located within North Carolina's 20 coastal counties. Applicants should carefully review the FY2027 Request for Applications (RFA) & Guide for Applicants before preparing a proposal.

The Guide provides detailed information on program eligibility, application requirements, project eligibility, evaluation criteria, and grant administration.

The following documents are required to prepare and submit an application: FY2027 Request for Applications (RFA) & Guide for Applicants FY2027 Application Project Summary Worksheet (must be completed and included with the application package) Applications must be submitted electronically as a single PDF file no later than August 28, 2026, at 5:00 p. m. ET.

Files 20 MB or smaller: Email to NCBIG@deq. nc. gov Files larger than 20 MB: Upload through DCM's ShareFile and send an email notification to NCBIG@deq.

nc. gov confirming the upload, including the date and time of submission. Applications must be received by DCM no later than the submission deadline to be considered.

FY2027 BIG Applicant Webinar Please click this link to download a copy of the FY 2027 Applicant Webinar Slide Deck .

Request for Applications released July 1, 2026 Applicant Webinar hosted by DCM July 15, 2026 ( Recording ) Applications Due to DCM August 28, 2026, by 5:00 pm Applicants Notified of DCM Recommendation to USFWS TBD USFWS Notice of Award Issued TBD Subrecipient Agreements (Contacts) Executed TBD Note: Dates beyond the application deadline are tentative and subject to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) award schedule and Federal review process.

Additional timeline information will be provided as it becomes available. Eligible applicants include private marina owners/operators, local governments, State agencies, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and other entities that own or operate eligible boating infrastructure facilities.

Eligible facilities are limited to publicly and privately owned marinas that are open to the public and located within North Carolina's 20 coastal counties. Funding is available for the construction, renovation, or maintenance of boating infrastructure that serves transient recreational vessels at least 26 feet in length.

For purposes of the BIG Program, transient recreational vessels are those that use a facility for 15 days or less, including single-day use. Projects funded through the BIG Program must provide public access but may be publicly or privately owned.

Projects eligible for Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) funding include the construction, renovation, or maintenance of boating infrastructure that serves transient recreational vessels at least 26 feet in length.

Examples of eligible projects include: Transient slips, day docks, floating docks, fixed piers, gangways, dinghy docks, and mooring buoys Fuel stations, restrooms, showers, dockside utilities, laundry facilities, and similar amenities Floating or fixed breakwaters, wave attenuators, and other structures that provide a safe harbor Bulkheads, retaining walls, living shorelines, and other shoreline stabilization measures that support eligible boating infrastructure Waste collection, recycling, and pumpout facilities for eligible users Debris deflection structures and water hazard removal Planning, engineering, permitting, environmental studies, and design activities directly related to eligible projects Informational and educational materials directly related to the BIG Program or BIG-funded facilities All BIG-funded facilities must be open to the public and designed to serve transient recreational vessels using the facility for 15 days or less.

For a complete list of eligible project types and requirements, refer to the FY2027 Request for Applications & Guide for Applicants . U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service – Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program Learn more about the national Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program , funding structure, eligibility criteria, and examples of funded projects across the country.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) Applicants should review the most recent Tier 1 and Tier 2 Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The NOFOs provide detailed information on Federal program requirements, eligibility, application guidance, and evaluation criteria.

FY2026 Tier 1 Notice of Funding Opportunity For projects requesting up to $300,000 in Federal funding. Applicants compete against other projects within North Carolina. FY2026 Tier 2 Notice of Funding Opportunity For projects requesting up to $1,500,000 in Federal funding.

Applicants compete nationally, and DCM may submit one Tier 2 application each funding cycle. Note: If the FY2027 NOFOs have not yet been released, applicants should use the FY2026 NOFOs when preparing their applications. DCM will provide additional guidance if the FY2027 Federal requirements differ.

For complete application requirements, applicants should also review the FY2027 Request for Applications (RFA) & Guide for Applicants . For questions about the North Carolina Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program, please contact: NC BIG Program Email: NCBIG@deq. nc.

gov North Carolina Division of Coastal Management Email: Kasen. Wally@deq. nc.

gov For questions regarding BIG grants awarded through the N. C. Division of Marine Fisheries from 2002–2024, please contact: North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries Email: Paula.

Farnell@deq. nc. gov Division of Marine Fisheries - BIG Program Grants Awarded 2002-2024