Construction Reserve Fund

Construction Reserve Fund (CRF)
CFDA 20.812 Active Other Financial Assistance
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Funded Projects

Examples of what this program has supported.

FY2025 Two Construction Reserve Fund (CRF) Fundholders sold a total of {Nine} vessels from their fleet as of September 30, 2024.
While taking advantage of the accumulation tax depreciation all net proceeds from vessel sales were used for New Builds.

Program Objective

To promote the construction, reconstruction, reconditioning, or acquisition of merchant vessels built and documented under the laws of the United States for purposes of national defense and the development of U.S. commerce.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • Unrestricted by Entity Type

A Construction Reserve Fund (CRF) may be established by any citizen of the United States who owns, in whole or in part, a vessel or vessels operating in the foreign or domestic commerce of the U.S., or in the fisheries. Additionally, any citizen who is operating such vessel or vessels owned by another individual may establish a CRF.

How to Apply

Award Procedure

Review of the application by the Office of Financial Approvals and Marine Insurance to determine citizenship of the applicant, if applicant is owner or operator of the vessel and if the proposed objective of construction, reconstruction or acquisition is acceptable.

From 60 to 90 days.

Program details & compliance

Description

To promote the construction, reconstruction, reconditioning, or acquisition of merchant vessels built and documented under the laws of the United States for purposes of national defense and the development of U.S. commerce.

Mission Categories

Primary: Maritime

Other categories:
Water Navigation

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

The Construction Reserve Fund (CRF), authorized under 46 USC 1161, is a financial assistance program which provides tax deferral benefits to U.S. flag operators. The CRF permits the fundholder to deposit gains attributable to the sale of, or indemnification for, loss of vessels and to defer tax on such gains provided the gains are to be reinvested in vessels. Also the CRF allows the accumulation of earnings from operations of vessels documented in the U.S., or the earnings from the investment of the Fund. The ability to accumulate funds and the tax deferral provision have enabled fundholders to construct or reconstruct in the United States, and documented under the laws of the United States, larger and better-equipped vessels, to reduce mortgage debt on the vessels, and to construct a greater number of vessels than would be possible without the program.

Required Documentation

Be able to provide proof of requirements called for in Applicant Eligibility section of this program. The program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Reporting & Compliance

Records Retention
7 years

Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts

  • Subpart B — General Provisions
  • Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart E — Cost Principles
  • Subpart F — Audit Requirements

Formula

The CRF programs regulations: 46 CFR Part 287 (Establishment of the Construction Reserve Fund).

Contacts

David M. Gilmore — Director, Office of Marine Financing
2023662118
1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, DC 20590
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2025-12-19. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-05-30 02:37:42.