The Maritime Heritage Grant Program, administered by Preservation Maryland in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), provides direct assistance to promote the preservation of Maryland’s irreplaceable maritime heritage. From fertile farmland to bountiful waters, Maryland’s history is intrinsically linked to the Chesapeake Bay and this unique and diverse maritime story deserves to be told in its entirety. A competitive grant open once a year, the Maritime Heritage Grant Program will provide much needed support to serve the historic preservation needs of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. 

The Maritime Heritage Grant Program is open to applications from non-profit organizations, and instrumentalities of the state, counties, and municipalities engaged in maritime heritage preservation, interpretation, and conservation. Private property owners are not eligible for funding. This grant program is intended to support education and preservation projects that advance the maritime heritage of Maryland. Funded activities include capital and non-capital projects.

Recipients were announced in December 2025, awarding $200,000 to seven projects that preserve, interpret, and celebrate the state’s irreplaceable maritime history.

This year’s awards support projects across six counties and Baltimore City, selected from a competitive pool of 33 applications representing 11 counties and the City. Grantees are leveraging these funds alongside other public and private resources, allowing the program’s investment to stretch further and create meaningful, statewide impact.

Pictured below: Celebrating Maritime Heritage in the Chesapeake Crossroads
Annapolis, Anne Arundel County — Programmatic Grant
Award: $36,000
Expanded public interpretation and engagement programming in the Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area.

Are you a previous awardee and are now ready to close out your grant? Click the button below to submit your Disbursement Form.