National Nonprofit Organization Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) Grant Program

The National Nonprofit Organization Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) Grant Program, administered by the United States Coast Guard under the Department of Homeland Security, seeks to enhance public safety and enjoyment on waterways by partnering with nonprofit organizations to reduce loss of life, injury, and property damage through targeted initiatives aligned with the National RBS Strategic Plan. Applicants must propose national-in-scope projects that address one or more designated Areas of Interest, including cross-disciplinary partnerships or voluntary safety standards development, and demonstrate clear alignment with program goals through a compelling program narrative, measurable outcomes, and a detailed timeline using the provided templates. The solicitation, issued under DHS-USCG-NONPROFIT-2026 and classified under NAICS code 813219, is open exclusively to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with active SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations, including a valid Unique Entity Identifier, and requires submission of a comprehensive application package comprising an executive summary, organization description, program narrative, budget, budget narrative, timeline, and IRS confirmation of nonprofit status—all formatted in 12-point Times New Roman with one-inch margins and submitted via Grants.gov no later than July 7, 2026. Award decisions will be based on a multi-step process involving pass/fail eligibility gates, merit-based scoring across six weighted criteria (strategic alignment, budget justification, marketing strategy, sustainability, proposed period of performance, and mitigation plan), and a financial risk assessment that includes verification of financial stability, management systems, past performance, and audit history through SAM.gov and other OMB-designated databases. Individual awards are anticipated to range between $50,000 and $600,000, with total program funding of approximately $6.6 million supporting an estimated 25 to 35 recipients. The performance period is fixed from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027, with all costs required to be incurred and deliverables completed within this budget period. Grantees must adhere to 2 CFR Part 200 standards, including procurement rules, indirect cost limitations based on negotiated rates or the de minimis rate, and program income reporting using the addition method. While no cost-sharing is mandated, single audits are required for organizations expending $1 million or more in federal funds during their fiscal year. Recipients must also comply with restrictions on lobbying, prohibitions on prosecuting claims against the government, and integrity