Assistance to Small Shipyards
Active
- Assistance listing
- 20.814
- Agency
-
Maritime Administration
Department of Transportation
- Grant awards
- 277 $191,978,236 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Also known as
- (Small Shipyard Grants)
- Assistance types
-
- Project Grant
- Block Grant
- Treasury account
-
- 69-1770-0-1-021
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The Department of Transportation Maritime Administration awards grants under CFDA 20.814 for capital and infrastructure improvements at small shipyards, with a current opportunity (DTMASSG26) posting $35 million for awards by May 11, 2026.
The program funds equipment purchases and facility upgrades that improve shipyard efficiency and capacity for domestic commercial and federal vessel construction and repair. Recent awards cover discrete capital acquisitions—welding systems, CNC cutting and plasma tables, mobile cranes (ranging from 40-ton to 160-ton capacity), marine travelifts, drydocks, material handlers, training equipment, and supporting infrastructure such as electrical upgrades, blasting and painting systems, and waterblast treatment equipment. Training and apprenticeship program continuation has also been funded.
Awards are predominantly Project Grants (94 percent of 277 total awards over the program's history) with a smaller Block Grant component (6 percent). The Maritime Administration is the sole funding source. Since 2010, the program has obligated $192 million in federal dollars across 277 awards, with recipients contributing an additional $5.5 million in non-federal share. Award volume has averaged 17–31 grants annually over the past five years, with 18 awards in 2025.
Recent award magnitudes range widely. Most equipment grants fall between $200 thousand and $1 million; recent examples include a $817 thousand marine travelift (Fraser Shipyards LLC, August 2025), a $599 thousand rough-terrain crane (JAMESBUILT LLC, August 2025), a $427 thousand procurement of welding and training equipment (Master Boat Builders, August 2025), and a $248 thousand waterjet cutting table (Marine Group Boat Works LLC, August 2025). Larger infrastructure awards, particularly drydock acquisitions, reach $1 million to $1.2 million.
Applicants must be small businesses under the Small Business Act definition with no more than 600 production employees, located in or near a maritime community. Either the shipyard or a state or local government on behalf of the shipyard may apply. The Maritime Administration evaluates proposals on how well the project fosters efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and quality of domestic ship construction, plus the economic circumstances of the maritime community.
The FY 2026 opportunity opened March 26, 2026 with $35 million available and applications due May 11, 2026 through Grants.gov. The program has announced annual solicitations with consistent regularity; competition is historically intense, with application volume far exceeding available funds.
Objective and description
- Objective
To award grants for capital improvements and related infrastructure improvements at qualified shipyards that will facilitate the efficiency, cost effectiveness, and quality of domestic ship construction for commercial and Federal Government use.
- Description
To award grants for capital improvements and related infrastructure improvements at qualified shipyards that will facilitate the efficiency, cost effectiveness, and quality of domestic ship construction for commercial and Federal Government use.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
Either a shipyard or a State or local government on behalf of a shipyard can apply. The shipyard must be one in a single geographical location, located in or near a maritime community, that (1) is a small business concern within the meaning of section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632); and (2) does not have more than 600 production employees. Other factors taken into account when grants are awarded will be (a) the economic circumstances and conditions of the maritime community near to which a shipyard is located; and (B) the local, State and regional economy in which such community is located.
- Beneficiary eligibility
Shipyard.
- Uses of assistance
For capital and related infrastructure improvements. Cannot be used for physical facility construction or land acquisition unless specifically approved by Administrator as consistent with capital and infrastructure improvements. Federal funds cannot exceed 75 percent of project cost unless (1) cost is less than $26,075, or (2) determination is made that project merits support and requires additional assistance.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
To be individually determined based on project.
How to apply
- Preapplication coordination
Either a shipyard or a State or local government on behalf of a shipyard can apply. The shipyard must be one in a single geographical location, located in or near a maritime community, that (1) is a small business concern within the meaning of section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632); and (2) does not have more than 600 production employees. Other factors taken into account when grants are awarded will be (a) the economic circumstances and conditions of the maritime community near to which a shipyard is located; and (B) the local, State and regional economy in which such community is located.
- Criteria for selecting proposals
(1) How well the project will facilitate the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and quality of domestic ship construction for commercial and Federal Government use, and (2) the economic factors set forth in section 081 above.
- Award procedure
Awards will be made by the Maritime Administrator in such amounts and under such conditions as he determines.
Grant opportunities
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 277 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corp. | $5,299,376 | 3% |
| 2 | Heartland Fabrication LLC | $4,117,769 | 2% |
| 3 | Detyens Shipyards Inc. | $3,914,086 | 2% |
| 4 | The Great Lakes Towing Company LLC | $3,820,166 | 2% |
| 5 | Southwest Shipyard LP | $3,467,195 | 2% |
| 6 | C & C Marine & Repair LLC | $3,242,780 | 2% |
| 7 | Ice Floe, LLC | $2,904,225 | 2% |
| 8 | Bay Ship & Yacht Co | $2,894,083 | 2% |
| 9 | Bludworth Marine, LLC | $2,847,734 | 1% |
| 10 | Thames Shipyard & Repair Company The | $2,808,569 | 1% |
10 of 163 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2026 | $196,980 |
| FY2025 | $10,747,528 |
| FY2024 | $10,950,000 |
| FY2023 | $17,567,637 |
| FY2022 | $16,403,857 |
| FY2021 | $19,600,000 |
| FY2020 | $19,597,028 |
| FY2019 | $19,599,950 |
| FY2018 | $20,025,870 |
| FY2017 | $9,800,000 |
| FY2016 | $4,900,000 |
| FY2013 | $9,457,986 |
| FY2012 | $9,980,000 |
| FY2011 | $8,451,400 |
| FY2010 | $14,700,000 |
Show all 15
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 20.814?
Assistance Listing 20.814 is Assistance to Small Shipyards, a federal grant program run by Maritime Administration (Department of Transportation).
What is the CFDA number for Assistance to Small Shipyards?
Its CFDA number is 20.814: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 20.814 awarded?
277 grant awards under 20.814 have obligated $191,978,236 in federal funds to 163 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 20.814?
The recipients obligated the most under Assistance to Small Shipyards are Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corp. ($5,299,376), Heartland Fabrication LLC ($4,117,769) and Detyens Shipyards Inc. ($3,914,086).
How much did 20.814 obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Grants under 20.814 obligated $10,747,528 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.
Are there open grant opportunities under 20.814?
No opportunity listed under 20.814 is open now. The latest, FY 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity for Small Shipyard Grants, was posted on March 26, 2026.
On GovTribe
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