Fiscal Year 2026 United States Marine Highway Program (USMHP)
🏛 Maritime Administration
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations and entities looking to develop or expand marine highway transportation solutions and reduce land-based congestion. Eligible applicants typically include state departments of transportation, port authorities, shipping companies, nonprofit organizations, and public agencies involved in transportation infrastructure. The program funds projects that provide coordinated alternatives to road and rail transport, promote marine shipping corridors, or improve vessel utilization. Geographic scope covers U.S. coastal areas and inland waterways where marine highway routes can be designated or improved.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
The United States Marine Highway Program (USMHP), codified at 46 U.S.C. 55601, was originally established by Section 1121 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to reduce landside congestion through the designation of Marine Highway Routes. The USMHP statute authorizes the U.S. Department of Transportation (“Department” or “DOT”) to make grants to implement Projects or components of Projects that 1) provide a coordinated and capable alternative to landside transportation; mitigate or relieve landside congestion; promote Marine Highway Transportation; or use vessels documented under 46 U.S.C. chapter 121; and 2) develop, expand, or promote Marine Highway Transportation or shipper use of Marine Highway Transportation
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative and Implementation Plan
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Evidence of Cost Share/Matching Funds
- Letters of Support from Partners
- Environmental Compliance Documentation
Program contact
- 👤 Kelly B Mitchell-Carroll Grantor
- 📧 Fred.jones@dot.gov
- 📞 202-366-9714
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 20.816 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$24,404,000
-
$5,703,560
-
$3,937,500
-
$3,320,000
-
$3,303,649
-
$3,048,363
-
$3,000,000
-
$2,872,414
-
$2,800,000
-
$2,524,977
Top States by Funding
- MA 1 awards $24.4M
- WI 2 awards $7.2M
- LA 2 awards $5.8M
- GU 1 awards $5.7M
- TX 2 awards $5.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 20.816). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $33,300,000 | |
| 2025 | $14,700,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for USMHP grants?
State and local transportation agencies, port authorities, shipping companies, and nonprofit organizations involved in marine transportation. Contact the Maritime Administration for specific entity type confirmation.
What is the application deadline?
The typical deadline is August 31 for fiscal year grants. Check USMHP announcements for exact dates and any rolling periods.
What types of projects are funded?
Grants support projects that reduce road congestion through marine shipping corridors, expand vessel use, or develop marine highway routes and supporting infrastructure.
How competitive are these grants?
Competition is typically moderate to strong. Strong applications demonstrate clear landside congestion relief, stakeholder partnerships, and financial viability.
What is the funding range?
Awards typically range from $1 million to $12 million. Larger awards usually require significant cost-sharing and regional impact potential.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly quantify the landside congestion your project will reduce. Use traffic counts, delay metrics, and emissions data.
- Build strong partnerships with ports, shippers, carriers, and state DOT agencies before applying. Letters of support strengthen competitiveness.
- Show financial sustainability beyond the grant period. Include operating revenue projections and long-term funding commitments.
- Align your project with existing or planned marine highway route designations. Demonstrate how it supports DOT priorities.
- Provide realistic schedules and budgets with contingency plans. Cost overruns and delays signal weak project management.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants fail to demonstrate clear demand or shipper commitment for marine service. Projects lack credible financial sustainability plans beyond grant funding. Applications ignore cost-sharing requirements or underestimate matching funds needed.
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