MCMP Grant Funding Opportunity (GFO)

The Michigan Coastal Management Program (MCMP) mission is to protect, preserve, restore, and enhance, and promote wise development of coastal resources on the longest freshwater coast in the nation. The MCMP is committed to providing substantial technical and grant funding to assist coastal communities become resilient to the dynamic conditions of the Great Lakes coastline.

The MCMP grant funds are intended to assist in the development of vibrant and resilient coastal communities through the protection and restoration of our sensitive coastal resources and biologically diverse ecosystems. The MCMP seeks projects that protect community character and revitalize ports and harbors; plan for growth and change in our coastal communities to strengthen economies and minimize risk from coastal hazards; protect and restore healthy coastal ecosystems for public use and enjoyment; devise solutions for nature-based solutions to slow the flow of stormwater; and create and enhance public access.

The MCMP prioritizes projects that promote resilience planning and adopt local policies; take proactive actions to mitigate negative impacts of coastal hazards; conduct community engagement and host the MCMP’s Coastal Leadership Academy technical trainings; install site specific nature-based solutions to restore coastal natural resources; develop coastal ecosystem conservation plans and conserve natural systems to preserve a community’s sense of place.

Grant Funding Information

Who is Eligible: Eligible applicants include coastal communities (e.g., local units of government, cities, counties, villages, and townships), regional planning agencies, educational institutions (e.g., universities and school districts), Tribal governments, and nonprofit 501(c) organizations. As part of this federal funding, all grant awards must comply with the United States Office of Management and Budget guidance in subparts A through F of 2 C.F.R. 200, available at the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations Website.

Who is Ineligible: Ineligible applicants include federal agencies, for-profit organizations, private citizens, and homeowner associations. Additionally, ineligible applicants include organizations that have demonstrated past contractual performance issues; lack the ability to demonstrate organizational and/or financial stability to administer the grant; or inability to meet statutory, regulatory, or other requirements. Specific for applications that involve low-cost construction projects or land acquisition, in accordance with federal requirements, nonprofits are not eligible to be the applicant. Nonprofits may provide a supporting role in these projects with specific activities such as community engagement, outreach, grant administration yet cannot be involved in actual install or acquisitions.

Ineligible Uses of Grant Funds:

• Beach nourishment projects.
• All types of shoreline hardened structures such as groins, revetments, seawalls, etc.
• Projects located on private property.
• Permit, other regulatory fees, or application fees such as 106 applications.
• Plans and designs for general recreational and athletic facilities such as playgrounds, ball fields/courts, and restroom facilities.
• Construction of buildings, recreational facilities, or related structures.
• Funding for long-term operations, maintenance, management, or administrative costs.
• Reimbursement of expenses that have been incurred prior to the start of a grant agreement.

Project Types

Planning Projects: Planning projects may include a variety of proposed actions that meet the needs of coastal communities and typically result in the development of a Master Plan, conservation, or recreational plan, or plans that prioritize water dependent uses of coastal areas and expand upon the related coastal values and characteristics. Planning projects can also focus on capacity building, improved outreach and communication, and community engagement to achieve collaborative plans and strategies. Projects that conduct natural resource inventories, conduct sampling, or deploy drones are also considered planning projects.

Feasibility, Engineering, and Design: Feasibility, engineering, and design projects include site specific investigations such as feasibility studies, creation of conceptual designs, and/or final engineering plans that lead to a low cost construction, habitat restoration, or other on the ground implementation work. These types of projects may include outdoor activities such as in field site inventories, topographic survey, geotechnical analysis, soil sampling, or sediment characterization. All funded grants must adhere to local, state, and federal permit conditions for proposed actions and are restricted within the MCMP coastal boundary.

Low-Cost Construction: Low cost construction projects are those that physically alter publicly owned property for site specific enhanced public access, habitat restoration, installation of bioengineering and natural infrastructure practices, and installation of signage. These projects must use low impact development techniques and meet the federal ‘Buy American’ provision for purchase of materials, if applicable. All funded grants must adhere to local, state, and federal permit conditions for proposed implementation actions and are restricted within the MCMP coastal boundary.

Land Conservation through Acquisition: Under federal guidelines, only units of government or public entities are eligible for funding for land acquisitions. All proposed purchases must demonstrate a significant ecological value, need for protection, and be managed and protected in perpetuity by the local jurisdiction purchasing the property. Projects submitted under this project type must involve acquisition of land from willing sellers of fee simple or other public interest in the parcel. Projects may include land acquisition, purchase of easements, and purchase of development rights. All projects must provide passive public access or provide other public benefits and are restricted within the MCMP coastal boundary.

Project Location: Feasibility, Design, and Engineering; Low cost Construction; and Land Acquisitions projects must be located entirely within the approved MCMP coastal boundary. Coastal zone boundary maps are available through the MCMP’s Website, Michigan.gov/CoastalManagement.

The MCMP has flexibility with planning projects that may extend outside the coastal boundary when there is a clear demonstration that the proposed project leads to significant improvement of coastal management within the boundary.

Grant and Match Requirements:

• Planning grants can be no less than $10,000 and no greater than $100,000.
• Feasibility, design, and engineering grants can be no less than $10,000 and no greater than $150,000.
• Low cost construction grants can be no less than $10,000 and no greater than $250,000.
• Land conservation through acquisition grants can be no greater than $500,000.

NOAA requires a 1-to-1 match which can be in the form of cash, in kind services, or donations.

The grant will function on a cost reimbursement basis only with progress and financial reporting on a quarterly basis. All grant/match expenses will require supporting documentation for costs incurred and paid.

Application Documents

Applications are due no later than December 18, 2026, submitted via email to: EGLE-WRD-CoastalProgram@Michigan.gov.

• MCMP 2028 Grant Funding Opportunity
• MCMP Sample Resolution of Support
• MCMP Detailed Contractual Budget
• MCMP Public Ownership Affidavit
• MCMP Attorney Title Opinion
• MCMP Budget Template

A webinar covering application and funding requirements of the MCMP 2028 GFO will be hosted on October 1, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Register at Webinar Registration - Zoom.

Project Interest Form: To request individual assistance in the development of your project concept, fill out MCMP's Project Interest form. Project Interest forms are welcomed year-round as staff stand ready to assist you.