State Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) Grant Program
ID: 360762Type: Posted
Overview

Buyer

United States Coast Guard (DHS-USCG)

Award Range

$0 - $10M

Eligible Applicants

State Governments

Funding Category

Other

Funding Instrument

Cooperative Agreement

Opportunity Category

Mandatory

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement

Yes

Original Source

https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/360762
Timeline
    Description

    The United States Coast Guard is offering funding through the State Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) Grant Program, aimed at enhancing boating safety across the nation. This program is designed specifically for state governments, allowing them to apply for financial assistance to minimize loss of life, personal injury, and property damage in recreational boating. The funding, which totals an estimated $129,143,906 for 56 awards, is contingent upon a cost-sharing requirement where states must contribute at least half of the total program costs. Applications are due by December 17, 2025, and interested parties can reach out to Cynthia Dudzinski at Cynthia.M.Dudzinski@uscg.mil or by phone at 571-608-2233 for further information.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Cynthia.M.Dudzinski@uscg.mil
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    Appendix.pdf
    The Annual Performance Report Narrative Guidance outlines the requirements for the Annual Performance Report, which consists of Part I (PRPI) and Part II (PRPII). These reports detail prior federal fiscal year activities through a written narrative and statistical data. Both parts are due by December 31st after the performance period concludes. The PRPI, limited to 2-3 pages, serves as a retrospective on program accomplishments, challenges, delays, and legislative updates. It encourages explanations regarding equipment procurement, project completion, and significant changes in PRPII numbers, such as shifts in on-the-water hours or warnings/citations due to legislative changes. The PRPI narrative is intended to support and explain the data presented in the PRPII, and vice versa. This guidance ensures comprehensive reporting for federal programs like RBS.
    Blank.bin
    BudgetTool2026.xls
    The "COAST GUARD RBS GRANT BUDGET TOOL 2026" is a crucial resource for applicants seeking federal financial assistance through the State Recreational Boating Safety Grant Program. This tool assists in creating the Budget Information Sheet (SF-424a) and replaces the online SF-424A form in Grants.gov. The Equipment List is now a separate document accessible via Grants.gov. Applicants must enter carryover and application amounts, referring to the federal allocation table or their Coast Guard Grant Coordinator for new federal money figures. The document outlines budget summaries across various functions (e.g., Administration, Law Enforcement, Education) and budget categories (e.g., Personnel, Equipment). It also provides instructions for submitting the budget sheet in Excel format via Grants.gov and directly to the Coast Guard Grant Management Specialist. Enhancements for 2023 include additional Construction Budget Sheets (SF-424C) and updated Coast Guard contact information. The tool emphasizes error checking to ensure compliance with federal share limits and consistency between budget sections. It also details the submission process for construction projects, noting that SF-424C forms can be submitted outside of Grants.gov for convenience.
    CGHQ_3923.pdf
    The U.S. Coast Guard form CGHQ-3923 (11/23) collects state registration data for recreational and commercial vessels, as mandated by 33 CFR 174.19. States are required to report this information annually by March 1st. The form is divided into five sections: administrative information, recreational vessel registrations by length category (motorized and non-motorized), commercial vessel registrations by operation type, tallies of total registrations, and a description of the state's registration system scope. This data is used for statistical publications and to calculate marine safety rates. The collection is mandatory, with an estimated burden of 45 minutes, and falls under OMB Control Number 1625-0131, expiring August 31, 2026.
    COMDTPUB.pdf
    This U.S. Coast Guard publication, COMDTPUB 16755.3B, outlines the guidelines for State Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) Grant Programs, replacing COMDTPUB Pl6755.3A. Its purpose is to provide a reference for laws, regulations, and guidelines governing the acceptance of State RBS programs and the administration of federal grant funding. The program encourages states to take the lead in boating safety activities, including education, assistance, and enforcement. The publication details program approval requirements, such as vessel numbering systems, cooperative agreements with the USCG, sufficient patrol and enforcement, adequate education programs, and marine casualty reporting systems. It also covers federal financial assistance, state allocations, financial administration, procurement procedures, reporting, and records retention. The USCG administers these programs, with specific branches handling daily operations and financial aspects. States must comply with the provisions, which include submitting annual applications and adhering to financial and audit requirements. The goal is to enhance boating safety nationwide through coordinated state efforts.
    Equipment.bin
    FY.pdf
    The U.S. Coast Guard's Grants Management Branch has issued a memo detailing the Fiscal Year 2026 estimated allocations for the State Recreational Boating Safety (SRBS) Grant Program. Based on anticipated revenues in the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, an estimated $129,143,906 will be distributed to States and Territories. This amount is derived from a total estimated National Recreational Boating Safety Program allocation of $151,724,466, after deducting funds for Coast Guard administrative costs ($15,783,512) and grants to national nonprofit organizations ($6,797,048). Allocations are calculated based on meeting SRBS program reporting requirements, the number of registered vessels as of December 31, 2024, and reported state expenditures for FY 2024. These are estimated figures, subject to change based on more accurate reports, revenue adjustments, and the recovery of unused funds. Applications for the FY 2026 cycle are due by August 31, 2025, and must be submitted via Grants.gov. A detailed schedule of estimated allocations for each state is enclosed.
    FY26.pdf
    The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) have issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the State Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) Grant Program (DHS-USCG-STATE-2026). This formula grant, with an expected total funding of $129,143,906 for 56 awards, aims to minimize loss of life, personal injury, and property damage in recreational boating. Applications are open from October 17, 2025, to December 17, 2025, with awards anticipated by March 31, 2026. Only designated state authorities are eligible, with a cost-sharing requirement where states must cover at least half of the total program costs. The program, a cooperative agreement, focuses on influencing boater behavior, boat manufacturers, and leveraging data. The NOFO outlines detailed application contents, submission instructions, financial integrity criteria, and extensive post-award requirements, including financial and programmatic reporting, and compliance with federal regulations.
    Program.bin
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