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Maryland Historical Trust

National Maritime Heritage Grants Program

A sailboat, the Wilma Lee, silhouetted against a sunset with reflective water and colorful sky.

On behalf of the National Park Service, the Maryland Historical Trust administers the National Maritime Grants Program to fund projects that protect historic maritime resources and increase public awareness of the nation’s maritime heritage. This competitive program provides $380,192 in funding for education and preservation projects. 

Timeline  

  • Application opens: April 15
  • Application deadline: June 1
  • Awards announced: July  

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact MHT staff early in project planning for guidance.

Eligible applicants  

  • Tribal governments
  • State governments
  • Local governments
  • Nonprofit organizations 

Eligible projects  

Projects must demonstrate a clear public benefit and follow the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation and, where applicable, the Standards for Historic Vessel Preservation Projects. 

All projects are required to include a public education component and must support at least one of the following activities:  

  • identification of historic maritime resources, including archaeological sites
  • repair, rehabilitation, stabilization, maintenance, or limited reconstruction of historic maritime buildings, structures, vessels, and sites
  • improvements that increase public access to maritime resources 

Projects that address the impacts of flooding, erosion, or changing environmental conditions on maritime resources, while advancing public education, will be prioritized. 

Grant funds cannot support work that has already started or been completed. See the grant guidelines for a full list of eligible and ineligible costs. 

Available funding  

  • Applicants may request between $10,000 and $100,000 in funding.
  • Projects must have total costs between $20,000 and $200,000.
  • A 1:1 non-federal match is required.  

How to apply  

  1. Review the grant guidelines and manual for detailed requirements.
  2. Confirm applicant and project eligibility.
  3. Prepare a complete application, including scope of work, budget, and required documentation.
  4. Submit a completed application through the grants portal before the posted deadline.