FY 2026 Clean Vessel Act (CVA) Notice of Funding Opportunity
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations and entities working to reduce marine pollution from recreational vessel waste. The Clean Vessel Act (CVA) program, administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service, supports the installation and operation of pumpout facilities, waste reception facilities, and educational initiatives at marinas and mooring fields. Eligible applicants typically include state governments, tribal nations, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations focused on marine conservation and environmental protection. The program operates nationwide and funds activities that improve waste management infrastructure for recreational boaters, with particular emphasis on reducing sewage discharge into U.S. waters.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
This grant is for organizations and entities working to reduce marine pollution from recreational vessel waste. The Clean Vessel Act (CVA) program, administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service, supports the installation and operation of pumpout facilities, waste reception facilities, and educational initiatives at marinas and mooring fields. Eligible applicants typically include state governments, tribal nations, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations focused on marine conservation and environmental protection. The program operates nationwide and funds activities that improve waste management infrastructure for recreational boaters, with particular emphasis on reducing sewage discharge into U.S. waters.
Program description
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 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 (33 U.S.C. § 1322 Note) and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. § 777 et seq.), as amended. More information is available at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s CVA Home Page.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Details
This grant is for organizations and entities working to reduce marine pollution from recreational vessel waste. The Clean Vessel Act (CVA) program, administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service, supports the installation and operation of pumpout facilities, waste reception facilities, and educational initiatives at marinas and mooring fields. Eligible applicants typically include state governments, tribal nations, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations focused on marine conservation and environmental protection. The program operates nationwide and funds activities that improve waste management infrastructure for recreational boaters, with particular emphasis on reducing sewage discharge into U.S. waters.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Completed SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424 Supplement (if applicable)
- Project narrative (typically 15-25 pages) describing need, project design, and environmental benefits
- Detailed budget and budget narrative with cost breakdowns
- Environmental assessment or documentation of water quality/environmental need
- Letters of support from marinas, state agencies, and partner organizations
- Operational and maintenance plan including staffing and financial sustainability
- Site plans and facility design specifications (for capital projects)
- Evidence of regulatory compliance and permitting status
Program contact
- 👤 Fish and Wildlife Service
- 📧 nicholas_popoff@fws.gov
- 📞 22041-3803
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 15.616 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$1,519,579
-
$1,500,000
-
$1,500,000
-
$1,500,000
-
$1,500,000
-
$1,500,000
-
$1,500,000
-
$1,500,000
-
$1,466,155
-
$1,436,941
Top States by Funding
- FL 14 awards $13.6M
- CA 15 awards $12.5M
- WA 10 awards $10.8M
- CT 6 awards $8.6M
- MA 7 awards $8.3M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 15.616). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2019 | $19,384,174 | |
| 2020 | $19,270,426 | |
| 2021 | $14,724,494 | |
| 2022 | $16,632,828 | |
| 2023 | $16,066,041 | |
| 2024 | $16,999,997 | |
| 2025 est. | $17,500,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $16,000,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for CVA funding?
Typically state agencies, tribal governments, municipal entities, and qualified nonprofit organizations focused on marine environmental protection can apply. Some funding may be restricted to state administering agencies that oversee vessel waste management.
What is the typical funding range for CVA grants?
Awards vary but typically support both capital projects (facility construction/upgrades) and operational costs. Specific funding amounts vary by fiscal year and are detailed in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
What types of projects are funded?
CVA funding supports pumpout facilities, waste reception stations at marinas and mooring fields, vessel sewage treatment systems, and educational programs about proper waste disposal practices.
What is the timeline for this funding cycle?
The application period opens April 24, 2026 and closes July 22, 2026. Award notifications typically occur several months after the deadline.
How competitive is this grant?
CVA grants are moderately competitive. Success depends on demonstrated need, facility location/impact, operational sustainability plans, and alignment with marine conservation priorities.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly demonstrate the environmental need for the facility or project in your geographic area, including data on vessel traffic, water quality concerns, and lack of existing waste disposal options.
- Develop a detailed operational and maintenance plan that shows how the facility will be sustained long-term, including staffing, funding sources, and user fees if applicable.
- Include strong partnerships with marina operators, state environmental agencies, and boating associations to show community support and collaboration.
- Emphasize the water quality and public health benefits of your project, with specific metrics on projected waste diverted from waterways.
- Budget realistically and include all lifecycle costs (construction, equipment, operations, staffing) with clear justification for each line item.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail because they lack a credible long-term sustainability plan, showing only grant funding without identifying ongoing operational revenue. Applicants frequently underestimate facility operating costs or fail to provide clear evidence of demand and actual vessel traffic that would utilize the facility. Strong applications distinguish themselves by providing environmental baseline data and quantifiable water quality improvement projections.
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