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

Yes. Both programs can provide a grant for a study if the study is necessary for either a specific project or for regional sediment management planning.
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.
Shoreline Erosion Control and Public Beach Restoration