FY 2016 Notice of Funding Availability for Small Shipyard Grant Program | DTMA SSG 2016

Opportunity Information: Apply for DTMA SSG 2016

The FY 2016 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Small Shipyard Grant Program (Funding Opportunity Number: DTMA SSG 2016) is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD). The program is designed to strengthen the U.S. small shipyard industrial base by helping qualified shipyards pay for capital and related facility improvements that directly support more efficient operations, stronger competitiveness, and higher-quality ship construction, repair, and reconfiguration work. In practical terms, this funding is aimed at projects that modernize or upgrade shipyard capabilities so yards can operate more productively and deliver better outcomes for customers while maintaining or improving U.S. maritime capacity.

For FY 2016, MARAD indicates that approximately $4,900,000 is available in total for awards under this program. Individual awards may be as high as $1,000,000 (the stated award ceiling), meaning the total pot of money is expected to be spread across a limited number of recipients. While the notice does not specify an exact number of awards to be made, it does clearly caution applicants that demand is likely to be far greater than the funds available. Based on prior years, MARAD expects many more applications than it can fund, so only a small percentage of proposals will ultimately receive awards. That message is important for applicants because it signals a competitive environment where project selection will likely focus on the strength of the proposed improvements and their clear connection to measurable operational and production benefits.

The eligible applicant type is listed broadly as "Others," with the NOFA emphasizing "Eligible Shipyards," which indicates the intent to fund qualified small shipyard facilities rather than a wide range of unrelated entities. The program falls under the Transportation funding activity category and is associated with CFDA number 20.814. In essence, this is a targeted maritime infrastructure and industrial capability program, not a general workforce or planning grant, and applicants should align proposals tightly with physical or capital improvements and related investments that improve shipyard performance.

A key administrative detail in this NOFA is the submission method. MARAD explicitly states that applications will not be accepted through Grants.gov and that applicants must submit hard-copy applications by mail. The mailed application must be received by MARAD no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. For this specific FY 2016 round, the original closing date is February 16, 2016. Because hard-copy delivery is required, timing, shipping method, and proof of delivery become critical. Applicants are directed to consult the full NOFA text for the precise submission instructions, which typically include formatting requirements, the number of copies, required forms, and the correct mailing address and point of contact.

Overall, the opportunity can be summarized as a highly competitive MARAD grant program intended to help small shipyards invest in facility and capital improvements that enhance efficiency, competitiveness, and quality in shipbuilding and repair operations. With $4.9 million total available and up to $1 million per award, the funding could meaningfully support modernization projects, but the program's own warning makes it clear that only a limited share of applicants should expect to be funded. The most practical takeaway is that proposals need to be sharply focused on eligible shipyard improvements, well-documented, and submitted exactly as instructed via mailed hard copy by the stated deadline.

• The Maritime Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2016 Notice of Funding Availability for Small Shipyard Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.814.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2015-12-31.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-02-16. (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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for DTMA SSG 2016

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: