FY 2026-2027 Boating Access Grant Program

Department of Fish and Wildlife · State of California

At a glance

FY 2026-2027 Boating Access Grant Program is a closed California state grant opportunity from the Department of Fish and Wildlife (State of California). The application deadline was November 7, 2025. Total estimated funding is $2M. Applicant types listed as eligible include nonprofit, public agency and tribal government. It is listed on the California Grants Portal. Cost sharing or matching is required.

Summary assembled from the official notice's fields. The official notice governs.

Estimate · calculated by GrantsJunction

Usually opens around September 2026 — not posted yet

This program has posted at about the same time each year. If it follows its pattern, the next round should post between Sep 6, 2026 and Oct 12, 2026, with about 44 days to apply.

Based on 3 past postings: Sep 18, 2023, Oct 22, 2024, Sep 24, 2025. Confidence: medium. Agencies can change or skip a year; only the agency's posted notice is official. Watch it and we'll email you when the next round posts.

Key facts

Sep 24, 2025Posted
Nov 7, 2025Application deadline

Opened: Sep 24, 2025
Close date: Nov 7, 2025
Award floor: Not specified
Award ceiling: Not specified
Est. total funding: $2,000,000
Expected awards: Not specified
Matching funds: Required
Funding instrument: Grant

Program details (as published on the California Grants Portal)

Type: Grant
Funding source: Federal
Matching funds: 25% — Grantees may be reimbursed up to 75 percent of project costs through the grant program. At least 25 percent of the project costs must come from a non-Federal source, which can include revenue from license fees.
Funding method: Reimbursement(s)
Estimated number of awards: Dependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
Estimated award amounts: Dependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
Award period: 7/1/2026-4/1/2030
Expected award announcement: Summer 2026
Letter of intent: Not required
How to submit: Online: https://watershedgrants.wildlife.ca.gov/index.do
Latest change note: Moved grant to active and added a closing date.

Who can apply

Applicant categories as listed on the California Grants Portal. GrantsJunction maps them to detailed applicant types for search and matching.

Nonprofit
Public Agency
Tribal Government

Additional information on eligibility (from the listing)

Federal agencies are not eligible to apply.

Can your organization apply?

A quick check against the listed applicant types — other requirements in the notice still apply.

Based on the published notice. Review the official notice for complete eligibility requirements.

What it funds

Purpose and description as published on the California Grants Portal.

Purpose

CDFW's Boating Access Grant Program provides funding for projects that increase access to recreational boating opportunities across California's waterways. The Boating Access program provides funding for a broad range of access facilities and associated amenities that benefit recreational boaters.

Description

Project activities eligible for Boating Access grant funds include: Planning, permitting, and design for Boating Access Facilities. Construction of Boating Access Facilities Administration and Coordination of boating access programs (personnel, travel, training, planning, etc.). Amenities for Boaters, including compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at Boating Access Facilities: This may include restrooms, wash-down stations, fish cleaning stations for boaters, ramps, courtesy or loading docks, maneuvering areas, parking areas, walkways, beaching areas for boats, picnic tables, garbage facilities for boaters, shade structures, lighting, signage, etc. Launching and landing facilities for paddle craft and non-motorized boats. Outreach to boaters about available boating access and amenities. Aquatic Invasive Species Information and Education – including inspection (not enforcement) as long as the purpose is to keep boaters boating. Vegetation management – If it’s all about keeping boaters accessing the water. Pump out facilities for vessels that have on-board sanitary holding tanks. Fueling docks for boaters. Potable water supplies for boaters. Dinghy docks. Operation and Maintenance of boating access facilities.

Program page on the agency site ↗

Past applications & awards

Historical data · not a prediction

Reported by the agency for this listing

Fiscal year 2025–2618 applications · 6 awards

Counts as published on the California Grants Portal. Award counts can read zero until decisions are announced.

Program contact (as published)

Elizabeth Buttler
Elizabeth.Buttler@Wildlife.ca.gov
1-916-594-3879

Quick answers

Who is eligible to apply for “FY 2026-2027 Boating Access Grant Program”?

The official listing names these applicant types as eligible: Nonprofit, Public Agency and Tribal Government. It adds: “Federal agencies are not eligible to apply.” Additional restrictions may apply; review the full guidelines.

How much funding is available through “FY 2026-2027 Boating Access Grant Program”?

Per the notice, total estimated program funding is $2,000,000.

How do I apply for “FY 2026-2027 Boating Access Grant Program”?

Applications go directly to Department of Fish and Wildlife, not through GrantsJunction. Submission: online at https://watershedgrants.wildlife.ca.gov/index.do. Read the program guidelines on the agency's site first; state programs set their own forms and registration requirements.

Other open California state opportunities, matched on agency, categories and wording.

OpenState of California