Beach Grant Information

PUBLIC BEACH RESTORATION AND SHORELINE EROSION CONTROL GRANT APPLICANT WORKSHOP

DBW hosted a 1-hour online workshop on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 to discuss the programs and answer questions from potential applicants regarding these programs, OLGA, and DBW’s grant application process. A recording of this webinar is available here.  A separate webinar to assist applicants with registering for and navigating OLGA is available here.

 Application Deadline

The application deadline for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 is 12:00 pm February 1, 2024.

Grant Application Procedure

DBW administers two coastal protection programs: The Shoreline Erosion Control Program and the Public Beach Restoration Program. Government agencies are eligible to apply for local assistance grants through these programs.

There is a separate application for each program. Applicants choose which program to apply to based on the type of solution the applicant seeks to implement and the amount of funding the applicant intends to contribute to the project. Please review the program descriptions below for additional guidance, and contact Casey Caldwell at casey.caldwell@parks.ca.gov or (916) 902-8824 prior to submitting your application to verify you will apply to the appropriate program.

The Shoreline Erosion Control Program can assist in the planning and construction of all types of beach erosion control and shoreline stabilization measures, including hard structures like seawalls. This program can fund up to 50 percent of nonfederal project costs. This Program is authorized in statute by Harbors and Navigation Code sections 65-67.4. For the current application cycle, applications must be submitted online.

 The Public Beach Restoration Program can assist in the planning and construction of engineered placement of sand on the beach or in the nearshore environment. This program can fund up to 85 percent of nonfederal project costs at nonstate beaches. This Program is authorized in statute by Harbors and Navigation Code sections 69.5-69.9. For the current application cycle, applications must be submitted online.

Each individual project must be approved through the State budget process. Once DBW begins reviewing the applications, they will become part of the State's confidential budget-making process, and DBW will be unable to provide updates on the status of applications. However, we will send notifications to applicants to acknowledge receipt of complete applications, and we will contact applicants during the review process if we need additional or updated information about a project. When the Governor’s budget is released in January 2025, it will usually include a list of projects that are proposed to the Legislature for grant funding in fiscal year 2025-26. DBW expects the State budget to be finalized in June 2025. DBW typically prepares grant agreements for approved projects several months thereafter.

DBW grant funds are not available to grantees until a fully executed grant agreement is in place. DBW will not fund any project work that occurs before that time. 

For more information, please contact Casey Caldwell at casey.caldwell@parks.ca.gov or (916) 902-8824.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. In recent years, the smallest grants for study projects have been in the $40,000-$50,000 range. The largest annual grants for beach restoration projects have been in the $5 million-$11.5 million range.
There is no preset amount of funding. Grants are authorized project by project through the State budget process. State budget priorities – and available financial resources – can change from year to year, so DBW cannot forecast the total amount per year available.
There is no preset number of projects that can or will be funded. The number varies based on need, merits of proposed projects, and funding availability.
The programs are authorized in statute. However, there is no dedicated revenue source for these programs, and the extent of funding authorized for them is not known until each year’s final state budget is enacted.
Approved in-kind services will generally include straight personnel time and actual costs of materials paid for by the local agency that are directly attributable to the project. DBW must pre-approve all in-kind services in writing.
A list of recent grant recipients and amounts is posted on our main page.