The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through the United States Coast Guard (USCG), is announcing the FY25 State Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) Grant Program. The primary goal of this program is to promote safety in recreational boating by implementing initiatives that minimize the loss of life, personal injury, and property damage. The program's funding supports activities aimed at positively influencing recreational boater behavior, improving safety standards among boat and accessory manufacturers, and leveraging data for informed decision-making.

The available funding for the FY25 State RBS Grant Program is approximately $123.9 million. The funding instrument type is a cooperative agreement, where the USCG maintains a substantial role in oversight and collaboration. The period of performance is from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, with no extensions permitted. This grant is not open to the public, and eligibility is restricted to designated state authorities or agencies as determined by federal statute.

Applicants must provide a cost share as per federal requirements; specifically, the amount received by a state must not exceed half of the total costs incurred in implementing the state's recreational boating safety program. States may count eligible expenditures toward their share, and these expenditures must align with federal guidelines for allowable costs under this program. The USCG may reimburse states for up to half of their total expenses, pending the availability of federal funds, and once reimbursed, these funds can be used at the state’s discretion without retaining their federal identity.

The application period for this funding opportunity begins on July 5, 2024, and closes on September 30, 2024, at 11:59 PM EDT. States that require programmatic approval before the award date are encouraged to submit applications by August 31, 2024, to facilitate timely reviews. All applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. Key components of the submission include the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424), budget details, an equipment list for approved purchases, and a program narrative that outlines all planned recreational boating safety activities. The program narrative should address administrative management, law enforcement activities, boating education, navigational aids, and other categories, providing details on associated costs, goals, and implementation strategies.

The review process involves both completeness checks and a programmatic evaluation. The USCG Grants Management Branch will review the application for compliance with submission requirements before forwarding it for further assessment. The final award decisions are anticipated to be issued no later than March 31, 2025, with funding released following an interagency transfer. Award documents will include detailed terms and conditions, which must be signed by the recipient for grant acceptance.

Programmatic and financial reporting requirements are an essential part of the grant management process. Quarterly federal financial reports must be submitted, and annual programmatic performance reports are required. These reports include detailed narratives and statistical data to track the impact of funded activities. A final report, including financial and qualitative assessments of accomplishments, must be submitted within 120 days of the period of performance end date.

The FY25 State RBS Grant Program emphasizes compliance with federal standards and regulations, including financial integrity, civil rights obligations, and transparency in expenditure reporting. Eligible states must maintain an active registration in SAM.gov and ensure they meet the prerequisites for a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) to participate in the grant process. The program aims to improve recreational boating safety across the United States by supporting state efforts through targeted funding and collaborative oversight.