Grant funds are available to support Washington’s maritime heritage and applications open until April 24, 2026. 

After a one-year hiatus, the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area is now accepting applications for grant funding for a broad range of interpretive projects that share stories from, increase visibility of, and encourage public engagement with Washington’s maritime heritage—past, present, and future.

The Maritime Washington National Heritage Area supports a network that strengthens the maritime community and connects people with the stories, experiences, resources, and cultures of our state’s saltwater shores and waterways. The Maritime Washington Grant Program is one of the ways this mission is achieved.

Established in 2023 and now in its third round, this year’s Maritime Washington Grant Program will support projects and programs that interpret our state’s unique and nationally significant maritime heritage. $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.

The Maritime Washington Grant Program funds nonprofit organizations, local governments, Tribes, regional educational institutions, and other entities that support our region’s maritime heritage. Grants fund a range of projects that help connect the public with Washington’s water-based places and stories through interpretation—from signage and exhibits, to public events and educational programming, to webpages, podcasts, and video-based storytelling.

To be eligible, applicants must be located in one of the 13 counties within the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area, which include: Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, King, Pierce, Thurston, Mason, Kitsap, Island, San Juan, Clallam, Jefferson, and Grays Harbor. Maritime Washington will be accepting grant applications from March 4 through April 24, 2026.

Applicants are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria and program guidelines and register for office hours with grant program staff on Maritime Washington’s website at maritimewa.org/grants. All applications must be submitted through the online form before the deadline of April 24, 2026, at 5:00 pm.