Opportunity Information: Apply for F21AS00002
The Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act - Boating Infrastructure Grants (BIG) Tier 1 opportunity (FY 2021) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help states and U.S. territories build out and improve boating facilities that serve larger recreational boats. It is rooted in the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-178), which created the BIG Program (16 U.S.C. 777g-1) and amended the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777). Funding comes through authorized expenditures from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, which has been sustained through later reauthorizations so the program can continue supporting boating access and infrastructure needs nationwide.
The core purpose is to fund the construction, renovation, and maintenance of boating infrastructure facilities that accommodate transient recreational vessels that are at least 26 feet long and used primarily for pleasure (including vessels operated, leased, rented, or chartered for recreational purposes). The need is significant: recreational boating is widespread in the United States, with roughly 11 million registered motorboats, and an estimated 578,000 of those being 26 feet or longer. BIG Tier 1 is aimed at ensuring boaters traveling between destinations have safe, functional, and accessible places to stop, tie up, and use essential services, which supports both boating safety and recreational access.
In this program, "boating infrastructure" is defined broadly. It includes not just the obvious physical structures but also equipment, accessories, and services that are necessary or desirable for a facility to accommodate eligible vessels. Practically, this can cover improvements such as docks and slips suitable for larger boats, mooring features, and related facility elements that help transient boaters safely access and use the site. A key concept is "transient" use: eligible projects are intended to serve vessels that are passing through or stopping temporarily, with stays of up to 15 days.
A major requirement attached to BIG-funded projects is public access. Facilities improved or developed with grant funds must be available to the public, which helps ensure the benefits are broadly shared rather than limited to a closed membership. At the same time, the program is flexible about ownership: projects may be located at publicly owned or privately owned facilities as long as they meet program requirements, including the public access expectation and the focus on serving transient, pleasure-use vessels 26 feet and over.
Eligibility for applicants is limited to state governments and designated U.S. jurisdictions. This includes the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The funding opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.622 and was published as Funding Opportunity Number F21AS00002. For this particular notice, the application deadline was September 14, 2020 (OriginalClosingDate), and the maximum federal award amount (AwardCeiling) was $200,000 for Tier 1 projects.
Overall, BIG Tier 1 is designed to strengthen the network of transient boating destinations for larger recreational boats by helping states and territories invest in practical, on-the-water infrastructure and supporting amenities. The intent is to make travel by water safer and more convenient while ensuring that improvements funded with federal dollars remain accessible for public use.Apply for F21AS00002
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act - BIG Tier 1" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.622.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2020-06-03.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-09-14. (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 $200,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Boating Infrastructure Grants (BIG) Tier 1 (FY 2021) - FAQs
What is the Boating Infrastructure Grants (BIG) Tier 1 opportunity (FY 2021)?
BIG Tier 1 (FY 2021) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It supports the development and improvement of boating infrastructure that serves larger recreational vessels.
Which federal agency runs this grant program?
The grant is run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
What is the main purpose of BIG Tier 1 funding?
The program funds the construction, renovation, and maintenance of boating infrastructure facilities that accommodate transient recreational vessels that are at least 26 feet long and are used primarily for pleasure (including recreational vessels that are operated, leased, rented, or chartered).
What types of boats are the focus of this program?
Eligible projects must serve transient recreational vessels that are 26 feet long or longer and used primarily for pleasure.
What does "transient" mean in this program?
In this program, "transient" use refers to vessels that are passing through or stopping temporarily. The information provided indicates stays of up to 15 days.
What kinds of projects or costs can be supported?
The program supports boating infrastructure broadly defined, including physical structures as well as equipment, accessories, and services that are necessary or desirable for a facility to accommodate eligible vessels. Examples described include docks and slips suitable for larger boats, mooring features, and related facility elements that help transient boaters safely access and use the site.
Is this grant intended for new construction only, or can it support upgrades to existing facilities?
It can support construction, renovation, and maintenance, which means it is not limited to new builds and may also fund upgrades and ongoing facility needs tied to eligible infrastructure.
Does a BIG-funded facility have to be open to the public?
Yes. Public access is a major requirement. Facilities improved or developed with BIG funds must be available to the public so the benefits are broadly shared.
Can projects be located at privately owned marinas or facilities?
Yes. Projects may be located at publicly owned or privately owned facilities as long as they meet program requirements, including public access and the focus on serving transient, pleasure-use vessels 26 feet and over.
Who is eligible to apply for BIG Tier 1 (FY 2021)?
Eligibility is limited to state governments and designated U.S. jurisdictions: the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Are local governments, nonprofits, or private organizations eligible to apply directly?
The information provided lists only state governments and specified U.S. jurisdictions as eligible applicants. Other entities are not listed as eligible applicants for this opportunity.
What is the maximum federal award amount for Tier 1 projects under this notice?
The maximum federal award amount (Award Ceiling) for Tier 1 projects under this notice is $200,000.
What is the application deadline for this funding opportunity?
For this particular notice, the application deadline (Original Closing Date) was September 14, 2020.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this notice?
The Funding Opportunity Number is F21AS00002.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program listing?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.622.
What law created the BIG Program?
The BIG Program was created by the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-178), which created the BIG Program (16 U.S.C. 777g-1) and amended the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777).
Where does the funding come from?
Funding comes through authorized expenditures from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. The information provided notes the fund has been sustained through later reauthorizations so the program can continue supporting boating access and infrastructure needs nationwide.
Why is this program needed?
The information provided cites widespread recreational boating in the U.S., including roughly 11 million registered motorboats and an estimated 578,000 that are 26 feet or longer. BIG Tier 1 is aimed at ensuring boaters traveling between destinations have safe, functional, and accessible places to stop, tie up, and use essential services.
What outcomes is the program intended to support?
The intent is to strengthen the network of transient boating destinations for larger recreational boats and make travel by water safer and more convenient while ensuring improvements funded with federal dollars remain accessible for public use.
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