The Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) Program is a federally funded initiative administered at the state level, supporting the development and renovation of boating facilities for recreational vessels 26 feet or longer. The grant, funded through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with revenue from federal gas taxes allocated to the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund, aims to enhance access to waterways for visiting boaters. In addition to infrastructure, funds may also be used to support boater education through the production of charts, guides, and other materials.

The 2025 funding cycle makes $2.2 million available in total, with a maximum award amount of $1.44 million per project. Applicants must provide a minimum 25 percent match, and for entities other than tribes or state agencies, at least 10 percent of the total project cost must come from non-state and non-federal sources. Matching resources may include cash, labor, donated materials, equipment, and private grants.

Eligible applicants include local and state agencies, Native American tribes, nonprofit organizations involved in recreational boating, special-purpose districts (e.g., ports or park districts), and qualified private marina operators. Projects may include building or renovating moorage docks, guest floats, breakwaters, navigational aids, dinghy docks, or upland support facilities like restrooms and showers. Projects solely benefiting boats under 26 feet, such as launch ramps or car-top boat access, are not eligible. Dredging is allowed but limited to $200,000.

The 2025 grant application schedule includes several key milestones. Applications open on March 3, 2025. A pre-application is due by June 5, 2025, and the full application is due by July 17, 2025. Technical review and evaluations will occur between July 18 and August 22, with final project selections submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by September 30, 2025. Grant award announcements are expected by October 31, 2025, and funds will be officially awarded by July 31, 2026.

Projects receiving funding must remain in public service for their useful life and meet federal reporting and environmental requirements. Applications and all supporting documentation must be submitted through the official state grants portal. Resources including application forms, match certification templates, and federal assurance documents are available on the grant webpage.

For more information or support, applicants are encouraged to consult available webinars, the applicant's to-do list, and manuals provided on the grant website.