The Maritime Washington National Heritage Area is now accepting applications for the 2026 round of the Maritime Washington Grant Program. After a one-year hiatus, we’re excited to bring back this funding opportunity to support those who celebrate, maintain, and share our state’s water-based stories and resources.
For the 2026 grants round, we’re focusing support on projects and programs that interpret our state’s maritime heritage. The goal of this year’s grant round is to fund work that shares stories from, increases visibility of, and encourages public engagement with Washington’s maritime heritage—past, present, and future. If your organization has a project that helps connect the public with our water-based places and stories through interpretation, we encourage you to learn more and apply!
What is interpretation, and what kinds of projects are eligible?
To borrow a definition from Washington State Parks, interpretation is “a communication process that provides opportunities for visitors to connect emotionally and intellectually with the world around them in meaningful ways.” This can include everything from exhibits and signage, to walking tours and educational programs, to webpages and podcasts—as well as all the work that goes into planning for these activities. If you have a project that will help share Washington’s saltwater stories and/or connect the public with our shores, check out the Program Guidelines to learn more.
Who is eligible to apply?
The Maritime Washington Grant Program funds nonprofit organizations, local governments, Tribes, regional educational institutions, and other entities that support our region’s maritime heritage. Applicants must be located in one of the 13 counties within the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area, and projects must directly connect to resources/stories located within the boundaries of the National Heritage Area. Check out maritimewa.org/grants for more details on eligibility.
What funding is available?
$100,000 in grant funds will be distributed among successful applicants to aid in their maritime heritage work, with a maximum grant request of $15,000 per applicant.
Key Dates
March 4, 2026: Application period opens
April 1, 2026, 4:00 pm: Office hours with grant program administrators (register here)
April 24, 2026, 5:00 pm: Application period closes
June 2026: All applicants notified
July 2026: Grant contracts prepared for grant recipients; grant-supported project work and reimbursable expenses may commence
January 31, 2027: Progress reports due for grantees
July 30, 2027: Grant-supported projects completed
If you have any questions after reviewing the Program Guidelines and FAQs, we encourage you to join us for our virtual office hours on April 1, or email Maritime Washington staff at [email protected]. We look forward to receiving your applications and supporting our community in sharing Washington’s rich maritime heritage!
