Women on the Water (WOW)
Active
- Assistance listing
- 20.821
- Agency
-
Maritime Administration
Department of Transportation
- Grant awards
- 4 $26,562 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Also known as
- WOW Conference
- Assistance types
-
- Project Grant
- Cooperative Agreement
- Treasury account
-
- 69-1750-0-1-403
- 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 (MARAD) funds the Women on the Water (WOW) program (CFDA 20.821) to promote diversity in the maritime industry and expose female cadets to career pathways and professional networks through an annual conference, with the most recent grant award issued on February 28, 2024.
The program operates as a rotating partnership with the six State Maritime Academies, regional maritime academies, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Each year, MARAD designates one academy as host for a multi-day conference featuring workshops, mock interviews, one-on-one mentoring, and speeches from senior maritime professionals. Financial assistance supports event logistics including facility rental, audiovisual equipment, printed materials, and hosting costs such as linens. MARAD retains discretion over award amounts based on its review of planned activities. The period of performance typically spans less than one year.
Funding activity is sparse and irregular. Four awards have been disbursed since 2016, with a cadence of one award per year in 2016, 2017, and 2019, followed by a five-year gap until 2024. The portfolio shows predominantly Cooperative Agreements (75% of awards) with one Project Grant (25%). MARAD is the sole funding agency, obligating a combined total of $27 thousand across all four awards. Recent awards to Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 2024 and prior recipients show typical awards in the $15 thousand range, though two intervening modifications reduced obligations by modest amounts.
Eligible applicants are limited to the seven maritime academies—the six State Maritime Academies and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Beneficiaries are cadets and midshipmen enrolled at these institutions. The program has no published recent grant opportunity; funding remains at MARAD's discretion with hosting responsibilities rotating among academies by mutual agreement.
Objective and description
- Objective
The purpose of the WOW program is to promote diversity in the maritime industry. The program also provides exposure to the history and the current climate women face today in the maritime industry. It provides opportunities for the cadets to intera
- Description
Each year, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) partners with one of the seven maritime academies to host the Annual Women on the Water Conference, a multi-day event that showcases the successes of women in the maritime industry and encourages female cadets to prepare themselves for the ever-evolving industry. Attendees meet with industry leaders, maritime professionals, fellow students, and academy representatives in a series of workshops, mock interviews, one-on-one mentoring sessions, and speeches from the maritime industry's top female professionals.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
Eligible applicants for financial assistance for WOW program activities are the six State Maritime Academies, regional maritime academies, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
- Beneficiary eligibility
Beneficiaries are individuals attending the State Maritime Academies and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
- Uses of assistance
Financial assistance is used to support the WOW program activities with any number of items to promote maximum participation by the maritime academy cadets and midshipmen to include, but not be limited to, the following, event space or facility, audio/visual equipment, printed material, or to assist with the cost for hosting maritime academy cadets (linen cost, etc.)
- Length and time phasing of assistance
The period of time is normally less than one year, but may vary depending on the activity. Specific time limits will be set forth in the terms and conditions of the cooperative agreement.
How to apply
- Award procedure
WOW program activities rotate among the six State Maritime Academies and the USMMA, with the hosting academy determined by agreement among the academies. MARAD, in its sole discretion, determines how much if any financial assistance is to be awarded to the hosting academy based on its review of the WOW activities.
Grant awards
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California State University, Maritime Academy | $15,000 | 56% |
| 2 | Mass Maritime Academy | $15,000 | 56% |
2 of 4 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2024 | -$2,938 |
| FY2023 | $15,000 |
| FY2022 | -$500 |
| FY2016 | $15,000 |
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 20.821?
Assistance Listing 20.821 is Women on the Water (WOW), a federal grant program run by Maritime Administration (Department of Transportation).
What is the CFDA number for Women on the Water (WOW)?
Its CFDA number is 20.821: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 20.821 awarded?
4 grant awards under 20.821 have obligated $26,562 in federal funds to 4 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 20.821?
The recipients obligated the most under Women on the Water (WOW) are California State University, Maritime Academy ($15,000) and Mass Maritime Academy ($15,000).
On GovTribe
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