Opportunity Information: Apply for 693JF723R000008

The United States Marine Highway Grants opportunity is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Maritime Administration (MARAD) under the United States Marine Highway Program (USMHP), which is codified at 46 U.S.C. 55601. The program traces back to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and was created to help reduce congestion on roads and other land-based transportation networks by encouraging the use of designated Marine Highway Routes. In practical terms, it supports shifting appropriate freight movements from trucks and rail onto U.S. waterways where that shift can ease bottlenecks, improve overall system resilience, and make better use of marine transportation options.

The grants are meant to fund projects, or specific components of projects, that strengthen marine highway services as a real, coordinated alternative to landside transportation. The eligible project purpose is twofold. First, projects should provide a capable alternative that helps mitigate or relieve landside congestion, promotes marine highway transportation, or uses U.S.-documented vessels (including those documented under 46 U.S.C. chapter 121). Second, projects should develop, expand, or promote marine highway transportation itself or increase shipper use of marine highway services. Taken together, the emphasis is on implementation and expansion: helping start, grow, or improve marine-based freight service in a way that measurably complements and relieves pressure on land corridors.

Eligibility is broad and includes public and private entities connected to marine transportation. Eligible applicants include states; political subdivisions of a state or local governments; U.S. metropolitan planning organizations; U.S. port authorities; tribal governments; and private sector operators of marine highway projects or private sector owners of facilities (including Alaska Native Corporations). A key condition applies to private applicants: they must submit an endorsement letter from the current marine highway route sponsor, which ties private proposals to the designated route governance and helps ensure alignment with the route's objectives and oversight.

For this specific funding notice, the opportunity is listed as "United States Marine Highway Grants" with Funding Opportunity Number 693JF723R000008 and CFDA number 20.816, categorized under Transportation. The instrument type is a grant, and the opportunity is labeled as discretionary. The posting indicates an expected 25 awards, with an award ceiling of $4,850,000 per award. The opportunity was created on May 6, 2024, and the original closing date is July 12, 2024.

  • The Maritime Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "United States Marine Highway Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.816.
  • This funding opportunity was created on 2024-05-06.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-07-12. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $4,850,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 25 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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United States Marine Highway Grants (MARAD) - FAQs

What is the United States Marine Highway Grants opportunity?

The United States Marine Highway Grants opportunity is a discretionary grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Maritime Administration (MARAD) under the United States Marine Highway Program (USMHP).

Which federal program and legal authority does this grant fall under?

This opportunity is offered under the United States Marine Highway Program (USMHP), which is codified at 46 U.S.C. 55601.

What problem is the program designed to address?

The program is designed to help reduce congestion on roads and other land-based transportation networks by encouraging the use of designated Marine Highway Routes and shifting appropriate freight movements onto U.S. waterways.

What is the basic idea behind a "marine highway" in this context?

In practical terms, the concept is to move suitable freight that would otherwise travel by truck or rail onto U.S. waterways, where that shift can ease bottlenecks, improve overall system resilience, and make better use of marine transportation options.

What types of activities do the grants fund?

The grants are intended to fund projects, or specific components of projects, that strengthen marine highway services as a real and coordinated alternative to landside transportation.

What are the main eligible purposes for projects under this opportunity?

The eligible project purpose is described in two parts: (1) projects should provide a capable alternative that helps mitigate or relieve landside congestion, promotes marine highway transportation, or uses U.S.-documented vessels (including those documented under 46 U.S.C. chapter 121); and (2) projects should develop, expand, or promote marine highway transportation or increase shipper use of marine highway services.

Does the program focus more on planning or on implementation and expansion?

Based on the stated emphasis, the program is oriented toward implementation and expansion: helping start, grow, or improve marine-based freight service in a way that complements and relieves pressure on land transportation corridors.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes public and private entities connected to marine transportation. Eligible applicants include states; political subdivisions of a state or local governments; U.S. metropolitan planning organizations; U.S. port authorities; tribal governments; and private sector operators of marine highway projects or private sector owners of facilities (including Alaska Native Corporations).

Are private sector applicants allowed to apply?

Yes. Private sector operators of marine highway projects and private sector owners of facilities (including Alaska Native Corporations) are listed as eligible applicants.

Is there any special requirement for private sector applicants?

Yes. Private applicants must submit an endorsement letter from the current marine highway route sponsor. This ties private proposals to the designated route governance and helps ensure alignment with the route's objectives and oversight.

What is meant by "designated Marine Highway Routes" in the program description?

The program description highlights designated Marine Highway Routes as the corridors where marine highway transportation is encouraged, with the intent of reducing congestion on land-based networks by shifting suitable freight onto waterways.

What kinds of outcomes is the program trying to achieve?

From the description provided, expected outcomes include reducing landside congestion, easing bottlenecks, improving transportation system resilience, increasing use of marine transportation options, and increasing shipper use of marine highway services.

What is the name of this funding notice?

The opportunity is listed as "United States Marine Highway Grants."

What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is 693JF723R000008.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number provided is 20.816.

What category does this opportunity fall under?

The opportunity is categorized under Transportation.

What type of funding instrument is being used?

The instrument type is a grant.

Is this a formula program or a discretionary program?

This opportunity is labeled as discretionary.

How many awards are expected to be made under this notice?

The posting indicates an expected 25 awards.

What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is $4,850,000 per award.

When was this opportunity created (posted)?

The opportunity was created on May 6, 2024.

What is the application deadline listed for this opportunity?

The original closing date is July 12, 2024.

Which agency runs the program?

The program is run by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Maritime Administration (MARAD).

What is the historical origin mentioned for the Marine Highway Program?

The program traces back to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and was created to help reduce congestion on land-based transportation networks by encouraging use of designated Marine Highway Routes.

Do projects have to involve U.S.-documented vessels?

The description states that eligible purposes include projects that use U.S.-documented vessels, including those documented under 46 U.S.C. chapter 121. The information provided does not state that all projects must involve such vessels, but it is explicitly identified as an eligible project purpose.

Can a project focus on increasing shipper participation in marine highway services?

Yes. One of the stated eligible purposes is to increase shipper use of marine highway services.

Can the grant fund only a portion of a larger project?

Yes. The description indicates the grants are meant to fund projects, or specific components of projects, that strengthen marine highway services.

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