Opportunity Information: Apply for FY2021 20816
The FY 2021 Notice of Funding Opportunity for America's Marine Highway Program is a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Maritime Administration (MARAD) discretionary grant opportunity designed to fund the implementation of projects under the America's Marine Highway Program (AMHP). In practical terms, the program is meant to strengthen domestic waterborne transportation options by helping advance marine highway services and the supporting infrastructure that makes those services viable. The funding is aimed at projects that expand or improve the use of documented vessels (generally U.S.-documented vessels operating in domestic trade) and/or develop related port and landside infrastructure needed to move freight or passengers efficiently as part of a marine highway route.
A central eligibility point is that this funding is not for brand-new, never-before-recognized ideas. The grants are specifically reserved for "previously designated Marine Highway Projects" that have already been designated by the Secretary of Transportation under the AMHP. Only projects that receive that designation before the NOFO closing date can be considered for an award under this round. That requirement effectively creates a two-step pathway: first, a project must be formally designated as a Marine Highway Project, and then it can compete for grant funding to implement the project or discrete components of it.
The opportunity is administered by MARAD within DOT, and it is listed under CFDA number 20.816 (reflecting the federal assistance program associated with these grants). The grant mechanism is identified as a cooperative agreement, which typically means the federal agency expects to have more substantial involvement in the funded work than in a standard grant (for example, coordination, oversight, or ongoing collaboration during execution), though the specific level of involvement would be governed by the award terms.
For this FY 2021 round, the opportunity was posted on May 21, 2021, with an original application deadline of June 25, 2021. The notice indicates an anticipated award ceiling of $10,819,000 and an expectation of up to 20 awards. The actual number and size of awards would depend on the quality of applications received, the readiness and scope of proposed work, and MARAD's selection priorities and available funding.
In terms of who may apply, eligibility is described as "unrestricted" (open to any type of entity) subject to clarifications in the full eligibility language of the notice. Even with that broad framing, the key gating factor remains that the proposed work must be tied to a Marine Highway Project that has already been designated by the Secretary prior to the closing date. The overall purpose of the program, as described in the notice, is to help develop and expand marine highway services by funding tangible, implementable elements such as vessel-related investments and port or landside infrastructure improvements that enable or enhance the designated service.Apply for FY2021 20816
- The Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2021 Notice of Funding Opportunity for America’s Marine Highway Program" 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 May 21, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 25, 2021. (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 $10,819,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): FY 2021 America's Marine Highway Program (AMHP) Grant (MARAD / DOT)
1) What is this funding opportunity?
This is the FY 2021 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for America's Marine Highway Program (AMHP), a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Maritime Administration (MARAD). It is intended to fund the implementation of projects under the AMHP.
2) What is the purpose of America's Marine Highway Program funding in this NOFO?
The purpose is to strengthen domestic waterborne transportation options by helping advance marine highway services and the supporting infrastructure needed to make those services viable. The NOFO focuses on practical, implementable elements that expand or improve marine highway operations.
3) What types of projects are the grants meant to support?
Funding is aimed at projects that expand or improve the use of documented vessels (generally U.S.-documented vessels operating in domestic trade) and/or develop related port and landside infrastructure needed to move freight or passengers efficiently as part of a marine highway route.
4) Does the NOFO fund new project concepts that have never been recognized under AMHP?
No. A central eligibility condition is that this round is not for brand-new, never-before-recognized ideas. The grants are reserved for previously designated Marine Highway Projects.
5) What does "previously designated Marine Highway Project" mean for eligibility?
It means the project must already have been designated by the Secretary of Transportation under the America's Marine Highway Program. Only projects that have that designation before the NOFO closing date can be considered for an award under this round.
6) What is the basic pathway to compete for funding under this NOFO?
The NOFO effectively creates a two-step pathway: (1) a project must be formally designated as a Marine Highway Project by the Secretary of Transportation, and then (2) it can compete for grant funding to implement the project or discrete components of it.
7) Can an applicant submit a proposal if the project is designated after the closing date?
No. The information provided states that only projects that receive designation before the NOFO closing date can be considered for an award in this round.
8) Who administers this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the Maritime Administration (MARAD) within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
9) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA number 20.816.
10) What is the award instrument for this funding (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
The grant mechanism identified in the notice is a cooperative agreement.
11) What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?
In general terms, a cooperative agreement typically indicates the federal agency expects more substantial involvement in the funded work than in a standard grant (for example, coordination, oversight, or ongoing collaboration during execution). The specific level of involvement would be governed by the award terms.
12) When was the FY 2021 NOFO posted?
The opportunity was posted on May 21, 2021.
13) What was the original application deadline for this round?
The original application deadline indicated in the notice was June 25, 2021.
14) What is the anticipated maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The notice indicates an anticipated award ceiling of $10,819,000.
15) How many awards does MARAD expect to make?
The notice states an expectation of up to 20 awards, although the actual number may vary.
16) Are the number and size of awards guaranteed?
No. The information provided indicates the actual number and size of awards depend on factors such as the quality of applications received, the readiness and scope of proposed work, MARAD's selection priorities, and available funding.
17) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as "unrestricted" (open to any type of entity), subject to clarifications in the full eligibility language of the notice. Regardless of applicant type, the key gating factor is that the proposed work must be tied to a previously designated Marine Highway Project.
18) If eligibility is "unrestricted," what is the main eligibility constraint that still applies?
The main constraint is that the proposed work must be connected to a Marine Highway Project that has already been designated by the Secretary of Transportation prior to the NOFO closing date.
19) What kinds of improvements does MARAD intend this funding to pay for?
Based on the description provided, the NOFO targets tangible, implementable elements that develop and expand marine highway services, such as vessel-related investments and port or landside infrastructure improvements that enable or enhance the designated service.
20) Does this funding relate only to freight, or can it also support passenger movement?
The description indicates the funding can support infrastructure and vessel-related elements needed to move freight or passengers efficiently as part of a marine highway route.
21) What is meant by "documented vessels" in the context provided?
The notice describes documented vessels as generally U.S.-documented vessels operating in domestic trade.
22) Is the focus on planning studies or on implementation?
The NOFO is described as designed to fund the implementation of projects under AMHP, emphasizing practical components that can be carried out to advance service and supporting infrastructure.
23) What determines whether an application is competitive in this round?
The information provided indicates that award outcomes depend on the quality of applications, readiness and scope of proposed work, MARAD selection priorities, and available funding.
24) What is the overall program goal in plain terms?
The overall goal is to strengthen domestic waterborne transportation by advancing marine highway services and the infrastructure that supports those services, improving efficient movement of freight and/or passengers along designated routes.
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