15.925 national maritime heritage grantsthe national maritime heritage grants program (NMHGP) was established in 1994 to enhance public awareness and appreciation for the maritime heritage of the…

The National Park Service (NPS) awarded $269,926 to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) on August 22, 2025, under the National Maritime Heritage Grants Program (CFDA 15.925) for the "IL-Submerged Chicago: Maritime Archaeology and History of the Second City" education initiative. This project, scheduled for completion by April 30, 2029, will study and celebrate underwater archaeological sites located in the Great Lakes region, with the goal of enhancing public awareness and appreciation of Illinois' maritime heritage. The National Maritime Heritage Grants Program, jointly administered by the NPS and the Department of Transportation Maritime Administration, provides matching grants to state, tribal, and local governments, as well as private nonprofit organizations, to support preservation and education projects that foster greater understanding of the role of maritime endeavors in American history and culture.

The education grant funds will support the study, interpretation, and celebration of submerged archaeological resources in the Chicago area and Great Lakes, delivering educational programming and public engagement initiatives that increase awareness of the region's maritime heritage. As an Education Program grant under CFDA 15.925, this award requires a 1:1 non-federal matching contribution and represents funding derived from non-appropriated dollars generated through the sale and scrapping of obsolete vessels from the National Defense Reserve Fleet.

15.925 national maritime heritage grantsthe national maritime heritage grants program (NMHGP) was established in 1994 to enhance public awareness and appreciation for the maritime heritage of the united states through preservation and education grant opportunities. The program is authorized under 54 USC 308701-380707 and is jointly administered with the department of transportations maritime administration (MARAD). FY2024 funding is non-appropriated dollars from the partial proceeds from the sale and of scrapping of obsolete vessels from the national reserve fleet.funding opportunity number: P24AS00147 the national maritime heritage program consists of two grant programs: education and preservation. The education program provides matching grants for education projects that foster a greater awareness and appreciation of the role of maritime endeavors in americas history and culture. The grants help state, tribal, and local governments and private nonprofit organizations preserve and interpret their maritime heritage. IT is designed to reach a broad audience and enhance public awareness and appreciation for the maritime heritage of the united states. This project is awarded to the illinois department of natural resources (SHPO) for IL- submerged chicago: maritime archaeology and history of the second city . This education grant work will study and celebrate underwater archaeology sites in the great lakes.