Beach Grant Information




PUBLIC BEACH RESTORATION AND SHORELINE EROSION CONTROL GRANT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
DBW has posted a recorded webinar online to explain our two-step grant application process. The video is available here.
Application Deadlines
DBW administers two coastal protection programs: The Shoreline Erosion Control Program and the Public Beach Restoration Program. Public agencies are eligible to apply for local assistance grants through these programs.
For both programs, there are two steps to this grant application process, the letter of intent and the full application.
The letter of intent deadline for Fiscal Year 2026/2027 funding is 5:00 pm Monday, December 16, 2024. Letters of intent must be emailed to Casey Caldwell at casey.caldwell@parks.ca.gov by this time.
At this step, the applicant submits a short description of the project as instructed in the linked PDF document below. The letter of intent allows DBW to help agencies determine whether it’s worthwhile to submit a full application for these programs, and it provides DBW valuable information about statewide needs for programmatic planning.
Instructions for completing letter of intent
Sample letter of intent
If DBW determines the letter of intent describes a project that may be a candidate for grant funding, your agency will be invited to submit a full application. Additional instructions for accessing OLGA will be provided with the invitation.
The full application deadline for Fiscal Year 2026/2027 is 5:00 pm Monday, February 3, 2025 via DBW’s Online Grant Application (OLGA) system. The deadline is enforced automatically in the application system and will not be extended.
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.
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.
Grant Application Ranking Criteria
Next Steps After an Application Is Submitted
Each individual project must be approved for funding through the State budget process. Once DBW begins reviewing the full applications, they will become part of the State's confidential budget-making process, and DBW will be unable to provide status updates. However, notifications will be sent to applicants to acknowledge receipt of complete applications, and applicants will be contacted during the review process if additional or updated information about a project is needed. When the Governor’s budget is released in January 2026, it may include a list of projects that are proposed to the Legislature for grant funding in fiscal year 2026-27. DBW expects the State budget to be finalized in June 2026. DBW typically prepares grant agreements for approved projects several months thereafter.
For more information, please contact Casey Caldwell at casey.caldwell@parks.ca.gov or (916) 902-8824.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shoreline Erosion Control and Public Beach Restoration