Boating Infrastructure Grant
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is now accepting applications for the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) through Monday, July 1, 2024. The BIG program is administered through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, VDH, and VIMS. The program is funded by the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. The BIG program is authorized to provide and enhance infrastructure at boating facilities for transient recreational vessels 26 feet or more in length. The enhanced infrastructure includes, but is not limited transient docks, mooring buoys, WiFi, bathhouses, security enhancements, and other equipment and services that benefit eligible users of the facility. There are two types of grants available, Tier 1 – State and Tier 2 – National. Tier 1 – State BIG is competitive on the state level and provides up to $200,000 per state for eligible projects. BIG Tier 2 – National competes on a national level with an award ceiling for eligible projects typically set at $1,500,000. See 50 CFR Part 86, Boating Infrastructure Grant Program; Final Rule, published May 6, 2015, for guidance on proposal preparation. Please note that the scoring criterion was updated in 2018.
Please do not hesitate to contact VDH or VIMS with any questions. Submit applications early for a better chance of success so that VDH, VIMS, and the USFWS can provide feedback and determine if qualifications are met.
Contact VDH staff at charles.d.layman@vdh.virginia.gov or VIMS staff at acclark@vims.edu, sbwhite@vims.edu
Additional Resources are included below: