Opportunity Information: Apply for DTMA91R1600032
Apply for DTMA91R1600032
- The DOT-MA in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "America'a Marine Highway Projects" and is now available to receive applicants.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 12, 2016 and posted on May 12, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 27, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Opportunity Summary:
The America’s Marine Highway Projects grant opportunity is a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Maritime Administration (MARAD) funding notice that makes federal grant dollars available to support “Marine Highway” services, meaning waterborne transportation routes that move passengers and/or freight as an alternative to congested or overused land transportation. The program is tied to the federal Short Sea Transportation Program (also called America’s Marine Highways) and is designed to help start new services or expand existing services that operate between U.S. ports, or between U.S. ports and Canadian ports in the Great Lakes-Saint Lawrence Seaway system. The core idea is to use the nation’s waterways more effectively where doing so provides a broader public benefit, such as reduced highway congestion, lower emissions, improved safety, and less wear-and-tear on roads and bridges.
Legally, the opportunity is grounded in two main actions by Congress. First, Section 55601 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 created the Short Sea Transportation Program framework. Then, Section 3515 of the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) amended that framework and specifically directed the Secretary of Transportation to establish and implement a grant program for projects that have been formally designated as Marine Highway Projects. In practical terms, not every marine transportation concept automatically qualifies; the applicant must be a sponsor of a project that has already received official designation under the America’s Marine Highway Program. The notice also points to the program’s implementing details as published in the Federal Register (referenced as the final rule describing project designation and related requirements).
The grants are meant to encourage a shift from landside movement (truck or rail, especially where routes are congested or inefficient) to water options when the water option is the “best overall” transportation solution. A key limitation is that the program is not intended to reshuffle existing waterborne traffic between competing water services. If a proposed project would directly compete with an existing Marine Highway service, it will not be considered for award. In other words, the program is aimed at growth and mode-shift from land to water, not taking business from one marine operator to give it to another.
To be considered, applicants must submit an application in the format, manner, and timeframe required by the Secretary of Transportation, and they must convincingly show three things: financial viability, efficient and effective use of grant funds, and real market demand. Market demand is not supposed to be speculative; it must be supported by evidence such as contracts or written statements of intent from potential customers. Financial viability is framed as sustainability within a reasonable, specified timeframe, meaning the service should be capable of standing on its own rather than relying indefinitely on federal subsidy.
Cost sharing is built into the program. Applicants are required to provide at least 20 percent of total project costs from non-federal sources, which establishes a minimum 80/20 federal-to-nonfederal split (or less federal share if the applicant can bring more nonfederal money). When selecting projects, the Secretary is directed to prefer those that are most financially viable and that require the lowest percentage of federal funding. This effectively rewards stronger business cases and higher levels of private, state, local, or other nonfederal investment.
For this particular notice cycle (Fiscal Year 2016), Congress provided $5,000,000 through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 to designate and support specific projects that would create new or expanded services along designated Marine Highway Corridors. The funding is distributed through this Marine Highway Grant Program competition. Administrative details in the source data identify it as a discretionary grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DTMA91R1600032) administered by DOT-MARAD, posted May 12, 2016, with an application closing date of May 27, 2016. While the listing shows an “award ceiling” of 0 (often a placeholder in postings), the total funding referenced in the narrative for the program year is $5 million, and actual award sizes would depend on DOT’s selection decisions and the project scopes submitted.
In short, this opportunity funds designated Marine Highway Projects that can credibly expand waterborne transportation services, demonstrate customer demand and a sustainable business plan, provide at least a 20 percent nonfederal match, and deliver measurable public benefits by shifting appropriate passenger or freight movements from crowded land routes to efficient marine corridors, without undermining existing Marine Highway services.
America's Marine Highway Projects (MARAD) Grant - FAQs
What is the America’s Marine Highway Projects grant opportunity?
It is a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Maritime Administration (MARAD) discretionary grant opportunity that provides federal funding to support Marine Highway services. These services use waterborne transportation routes to move passengers and/or freight as an alternative to congested or overused land transportation (such as highways and other crowded corridors).
What does "Marine Highway" mean in this notice?
"Marine Highway" refers to waterborne transportation services that operate along designated water routes to move passengers and/or freight, with the goal of shifting appropriate movements away from congested landside modes (truck or rail) and onto the water where it is the best overall transportation solution.
What is the broader program this grant is tied to?
The grant is tied to the federal Short Sea Transportation Program, also known as America’s Marine Highways. This program is intended to encourage greater use of the nation’s waterways for transportation in ways that produce broader public benefits.
What kinds of routes or services are eligible under this program?
The notice describes services operating between U.S. ports, or between U.S. ports and Canadian ports in the Great Lakes-Saint Lawrence Seaway system. The focus is on starting new services or expanding existing services along designated Marine Highway Corridors.
What public benefits is the program trying to achieve?
The program emphasizes benefits such as reduced highway congestion, lower emissions, improved safety, and reduced wear-and-tear on roads and bridges, achieved by shifting suitable passenger or freight movements from land routes to marine corridors.
What legal authorities created and shaped this grant program?
The framework began with Section 55601 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which created the Short Sea Transportation Program. It was later amended by Section 3515 of the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which directed the Secretary of Transportation to establish and implement a grant program for projects that are formally designated as Marine Highway Projects.
Do projects need to be officially designated to apply?
Yes. The notice indicates that not every marine transportation concept automatically qualifies. To be considered, the applicant must be the sponsor of a project that has already received official designation under the America’s Marine Highway Program, as described in the program’s implementing details published in the Federal Register (final rule on project designation and requirements).
Is the program intended to move existing marine traffic between competing water services?
No. A stated limitation is that the program is not intended to reshuffle existing waterborne traffic between competing water services. The goal is growth and mode-shift from land to water, not shifting business from one marine operator to another.
What happens if a proposed project would directly compete with an existing Marine Highway service?
The notice states that if a proposed project would directly compete with an existing Marine Highway service, it will not be considered for award.
What must applicants demonstrate to be considered for funding?
Applicants must submit an application in the required format, manner, and timeframe, and convincingly demonstrate: (1) financial viability, (2) efficient and effective use of grant funds, and (3) real market demand for the service.
What does "market demand" mean for this grant?
Market demand is not meant to be speculative. The notice says it should be supported by evidence such as contracts or written statements of intent from potential customers.
What does "financial viability" mean in this context?
Financial viability is described as sustainability within a reasonable, specified timeframe. In practical terms, the service should be capable of standing on its own rather than relying indefinitely on federal subsidy.
Is there a cost share or matching requirement?
Yes. Applicants must provide at least 20 percent of total project costs from non-federal sources. This establishes a minimum 80/20 federal-to-nonfederal split (and the federal share can be lower if the applicant brings more nonfederal funding).
How does the required non-federal match affect project selection?
The Secretary is directed to prefer projects that are most financially viable and that require the lowest percentage of federal funding. This effectively favors stronger business cases and higher levels of nonfederal investment.
How much funding was available for this notice cycle?
For Fiscal Year 2016, Congress provided $5,000,000 through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 to designate and support specific projects that would create new or expanded services along designated Marine Highway Corridors. This funding is distributed through the Marine Highway Grant Program competition.
Who administers this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Maritime Administration (MARAD).
Is this a discretionary grant program?
Yes. The administrative information identifies it as a discretionary grant opportunity.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this posting?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed is DTMA91R1600032.
When was this grant opportunity posted and when did it close?
The posting date is May 12, 2016, and the application closing date is May 27, 2016.
Does the notice specify a maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The listing shows an "award ceiling" of 0, which is often a placeholder in postings. The narrative for the program year references a total of $5 million available, and actual award sizes would depend on DOT selection decisions and the scopes of the projects submitted.
What kinds of projects does this grant prioritize in practice?
Based on the notice, projects are prioritized when they expand or create Marine Highway services that credibly shift passenger and/or freight movements from congested or inefficient land routes to marine corridors, demonstrate evidence-backed customer demand, show a sustainable financial plan, make efficient use of federal dollars, and do not undermine existing Marine Highway services by directly competing with them.
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