Coastal Access & Working Waterfronts
- MDOT/Small Harbor Improvement Program: Maine DOT's Small Harbor Improvement Program (SHIP) promotes economic development, public access, improved commercial fishing opportunities and works to preserve, and create, infrastructure at facilities in tidewater and coastal municipalities. The SHIP program assists municipalities in improving or creating facilities, such as public wharves, piers, landings and boat ramps. There is a required 50% local share under this program. The SHIP program can provide up to $250,000 in assistance towards eligible projects.
- Shore and Harbor Planning Grants Program: This program provides funding to promote sound waterfront planning, harbor management, and balanced development of shore and harbor areas to improve marine infrastructure and assure access to the shore. Grants of up to $50,000 are available for municipal and regional projects in coastal towns.
Coastal Community Planning
- Coastal Community Grant Program: Administered by the Municipal Planning Assistance Program in the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, the Coastal Community Grant program provides funds to counties, municipalities, unorganized territories, tribal governments, and Regional Planning Organizations in Maine’s coastal zone for projects that build community resilience to adapt to a changing climate. Projects can include green infrastructure; preparing communities for coastal storms and storm surge, shoreline erosion, sea level rise, and flooding; and planning for reducing water quality impacts from land use activities.
- Maine Coastal Program Habitat Restoration Planning Grant - due March 6, 2026 - Funding for habitat restoration planning projects, including planning, design, and/or engineering for habitat restoration, resiliency, or coastal acquisition projects for municipalities or unorganized areas, Tribal governments, non-governmental organizations, or Regional Planning Councils. Maximum grant size $100,000 per project, and projects must be completed December 31, 2027. Read the full program statement (Doc). Download the grant application (Doc). Email questions to mainecoastalprogram@maine.gov by February 16, 2026, with the subject line “Habitat Restoration – Questions.”