State Maritime Schools (20.806)
State Maritime Schools (Assistance Listing 20.806) is run by the Maritime Administration, part of the Department of Transportation. It awarded $182 million in 24 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $7.6 million per award on average. No funding opportunity is open on Grants.gov right now.
The typical award was $397,355. Half of the 24 awards fell between $176,465 and $1.0 million, and they ranged from $10,000 to $70.0 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$182 million
- Grant awards24
- Typical award$397,355
- Awarded in FY 2025$70.0 million
- Size rank630 of 1,823
- Type of assistanceCooperative agreements, direct payments for specified use, use of property, facilities, and equipment, training
Key findings
- It is the 630th largest of 1,823 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 6 largest recipients received 100% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 6 states and territories.
What the program funds
To educate and train future merchant marine officers at the State Maritime Academies (SMA). The education and training of these students prepares them to graduate and enter the maritime industry in numerous capacities, including crewing merchant vessels, maritime opportunities ashore and also to be available during national emergencies or contingencies.
Open opportunities
No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.
Rules from the program listing
Who can apply
State institutions of higher education. Assistance is limited to one maritime academy in any one State.
What the money can and cannot pay for
Operation and maintenance of the State Maritime Schools/Academies; training vessel fuel, maintenance and repair of training vessels loaned by Federal Government; student incentive payments to selected U.S. qualified students; and marketing activities related to the Student Incentive Payment (SIP) Program. Operation and maintenance of the State Maritime Schools/Academies; training vessel fuel, maintenance and repair of training vessels loaned by Federal Government; student incentive payments to selected U.S. qualified students; and marketing activities related to the Student Incentive Payment (SIP) Program. Students, meeting eligibility requirements; SMA SIP marketing activities;
Matching requirements
Statutory Formula: Title This program has no statutory formula, Part This program has no statutory formula, Subpart This program has no statutory formula,Public Law This program has no statutory formula.This program has no statutory formulaMatching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Deadlines
Deadlines do not apply
Award range and average, in the agency's words
An annual assistance payment of $1,000,000 is paid to each regional academy provided its State agency matches funds and admits eligible out-of-state student. Additional conditions for receiving funds include participation in the Student Incentive Program (SIP) whereby students enrolled in the program receive funding of up to $64,000 over 4 years, paid directly to enrolled students.
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal Year2016: Approximately 50 merchant marine officers with Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) graduated from the SMAs. Initial draft cooperative agreement, beginning development of a marketing strategy to increase awareness of and attract qualified candidates to SIP program and maritime careers. Fiscal Year2017: An estimated 50 – 60 merchant marine officers with MMC will graduate from the SMAs. Development and implementation of a marketing strategy to increase awareness of and attract qualified candidates to SIP program and maritime careers. Fiscal Year2020: Examples of funded projects could include application of funding to sustain, maintain or improve training and educational facilities at the State Maritime Academies. Examples include upgrades to or building new training facilities and classrooms, simulator development and maintenance, waterfront/pier/training vessel berth maintenance, and infrastructure development and maintenance.Fiscal Year2022: Funding was used to sustain, maintain or improve training and educational facilities at the State Maritime Academies. Examples include upgrades to or building new training facilities and classrooms, simulator development and maintenance, waterfront/pier/training vessel berth maintenance, and infrastructure development and maintenance.Fiscal Year2025: Academies utilize funds to help improve the level and quality of educational support that produces mariners.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, State Maritime Schools (20.806) awarded $182 million across 24 grant awards, an average of $7.6 million per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas a & M University at Galveston | Texas | 1 | $70.0 million |
| Maine Maritime Academy | Maine | 1 | $58.4 million |
| Mass Maritime Academy | Massachusetts | 1 | $27.0 million |
| The Research Foundation for the State University of New York | New York | 10 | $22.8 million |
| Northwestern Michigan College | Michigan | 5 | $2.1 million |
| California State University, Maritime Academy | California | 6 | $1.7 million |
Who usually wins
Almost all of the money went to colleges and universities.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colleges and universities | 24 | $182 million | 100% |
By state
Each state below has its own page for this program, with its recipients and yearly totals.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 1 | $70.0 million |
| Maine | 1 | $58.4 million |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $27.0 million |
| New York | 10 | $22.8 million |
| Michigan | 5 | $2.1 million |
| California | 6 | $1.7 million |