Clean Air Grants for Marine Engines

The 2025 Clean Air Grants Program will open Monday, July 28, and close Friday, September 5. Late applications will not be accepted. 

Please contact [email protected] to be added to the email notification list to stay updated about future grant programs. 

2025 Clean Air Grants for Marine Diesel Engine Repower Program

Si requiere asistencia para someter una solicitud en español, comuníquese con el Distrito al [email protected]

Upgrade or replace diesel-powered marine engines to help reduce air pollution. 

Successful projects will be eligible to receive a grant within a range from $10,000 to $250,000. Actual grant amounts vary based on several factors, including but not limited to: usage, cost-effectiveness, emission reductions, eligible project costs, and fund availability. 

  • Priority will be given to zero-emission technology projects, along with projects located within disadvantaged communities, as defined by this map: SB 535 Disadvantaged Communities.
  • Emission reductions from the project must be surplus to any rule or regulation.
  • The District has discretion on how grant funds are prioritized and distributed.

Eligible Vessels:

  • Funding opportunities may be limited for vessels subject to the Commercial Harbor Craft Regulation including: Commercial passenger fishing vessels, Commercial fishing vessels, Pilot vessels, Barges, Dredge vessels, Work boats, Research vessels, Ferries, Excursion vessels, Tug boats, Tow boats, Push boats, Crew boats, and Supply boats.
  • Recreational and non-diesel vessels are NOT eligible for grant funds.

Project Requirements:

  • Applications are limited to one (1) grant project per Company, LLC, Taxpayer ID, etc. with final determination at the District’s discretion.
  • Vessels must be based in Santa Barbara County. 
  • Vessels must operate at least 50% of the time in coastal waters of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and/or Ventura counties with the remainder in California coastal waters.
  • Vessels are required to maintain a functioning hour meter as required by the CARB Commercial Harbor Craft Regulation.
  • Repower project must be completed prior to the CARB Commercial Harbor Craft Regulation in-use compliance deadline.
  • Applicants must provide records documenting equipment ownership and usage from the last 24 months.
  • Existing engine(s) proposed for repower must be demonstrated to the District to be operational and in-service at the time of application.

How to Apply:

  1. Determine your vessel’s eligibility for this program. To be eligible for funds, projects must meet the criteria located in CARB’s most recent Carl Moyer Guidelines, Chapter 7, and Community Air Projection Project Guidelines.
  2. Gather the required information about your marine vessel, engine(s), and replacement engine(s).
  3. Apply for grant funds in person, by mail, or email.

Please see application on the right of this page for more information.

2025 Application – Click Here

Program opens Monday, July 28, 2025
Program closes Friday, September 5, 2025


Questions?

Contact us via email: [email protected]


This program is part of our 2025 Clean Air Grants Program funded by California Air Resources Board’s Carl Moyer Program, Community Air Protection Program, Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions (FARMER) Program, and DMV surcharge revenue. For more information, see Clean Air Grants.