FY 2027/28 CDFW Boating Access Grant Program

Department of Fish and Wildlife · State of California

At a glance

FY 2027/28 CDFW Boating Access Grant Program is an open California state grant opportunity from the Department of Fish and Wildlife (State of California). Applications are due November 5, 2026. Total estimated funding is $3M. 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.

Key facts

Oct 6, 2026Posted
Nov 5, 2026Application deadlinenext date

Opened: Oct 6, 2026
Close date: Nov 5, 2026
Award floor: Not specified
Award ceiling: Not specified
Est. total funding: $3,000,000
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: 7/1/2027-4/1/2031
Expected award announcement: Summer 2027
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 – As long as the purpose is to keep 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 ↗

Your application plan

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Read the program guidelinesThe agency's solicitation or guidelines set eligibility details, scoring criteria and required documents. Open ↗
Confirm eligibility and fitCheck your organization type and location (applicants are generally expected to be in California), and plan for the required matching funds.
Find out how to submitOnline: https://watershedgrants.wildlife.ca.gov/index.do Open ↗
Request letters of support and partner commitmentsPartners need time to write and sign letters; ask early.
Secure the matching funds commitmentGet the match documented (board approval, partner letters or budget lines) before the budget is final.
Finish a full draft of the application and budgetFollow the guidelines' format exactly; state programs often require specific forms and attachments.
Ask the program contact any questions earlyElizabeth Buttler · Elizabeth.Buttler@Wildlife.ca.gov Open ↗
Internal review and sign-offLeave time for leadership or board approval and a final proofread.
Submit before November 5, 2026Due by 4:00 p.m. Pacific time. Submit a few days early and keep your submission confirmation.

Program contact (as published)

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

Quick answers

When is the deadline for “FY 2027/28 CDFW Boating Access Grant Program”?

According to the official notice, applications are due November 5, 2026. The notice adds: “Due by 4:00 p.m. Pacific time.” Confirm the deadline and submission time with the agency before applying.

Who is eligible to apply for “FY 2027/28 CDFW 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 2027/28 CDFW Boating Access Grant Program”?

Per the notice, total estimated program funding is $3,000,000.

How do I apply for “FY 2027/28 CDFW 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