Two State History Grant Rounds Close in November: Maritime Heritage Nov. 13, African American Heritage Nov. 20

EASTON, MARYLAND — Talbot organizations that care for old boats, waterfront buildings or African American historic sites have two state grant deadlines in November.

The first is the Maryland Historical Trust's maritime heritage round. The trust is offering about $100,000 for projects that preserve Maryland's historic maritime resources and increase public understanding of maritime heritage. The money comes through the National Maritime Heritage Grant Program, run by the National Park Service. Full applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, and awards are to be announced in December.

Awards range from $10,000 to $100,000, and a one-to-one non-federal match is required. Tribal governments, state agencies, local governments and nonprofits, including colleges and universities, may apply. Work cannot start until a grant agreement is signed, and projects must be finished by Dec. 15, 2028.

The second is the first round of new non-capital grants under the state's African American heritage program. As of Oct. 1, the African American Heritage Preservation Program carries a new name, the Speaker Adrienne A. Jones African American Heritage Preservation Program, after the former House speaker. A 2025 bill she introduced, House Bill 1010, created the non-capital grants.

The round has $250,000 for fiscal 2027. Applications close Nov. 20, 2026, and grantees will be notified in March 2027, according to the trust. The grants are meant to pay for staffing, planning and programming at African American heritage sites, where the program's capital grants pay for building work. Since 2010 the program has awarded more than $30 million to nearly 250 sites, the trust says.