The Maryland Stadium Authority, through its Maryland Sports Commission division, is currently conducting a review of the Youth & Amateur Sports Grant and Michael Erin Busch Fund, and Major Sports & Entertainment Events Fund. The review includes program guidelines, application requirements, evaluation criteria, funding priorities, and internal review processes.
The current goal is to open both application portals by mid-July 2026. Additional information will be announced once the review process is complete.
Potentially, yes.
Organizations with events taking place in July or August may establish eligibility during the transition period by submitting a Notice of Intent (NOI).
The NOI is a temporary process intended to capture events that may otherwise be missed due to the delayed opening of the FY27 application cycle.
The NOI establishes eligibility for consideration during the transition period.
No.
Organizations submitting an NOI must still complete the full FY27 application once the application portals open.
No.
Submission of an NOI does not reserve funding.
No.
All funding recommendations remain subject to eligibility requirements, evaluation results, available funding, and applicable approval processes.
No.
At this time, the NOI process is only available for events taking place in July or August.
Organizations with events occurring after August should wait until the FY27 application portals open and submit a full application.
Maryland Sports Commission staff will review the information provided and maintain a record of your event for eligibility purposes during the FY27 transition period.
Once the FY27 application portals open, organizations that submitted an NOI will be required to complete the full application process.
Yes.
Applications submitted before the event occurs may remain eligible for consideration even if funding decisions are made after the event has taken place.
Maryland Sports may prioritize review of events occurring during the transition period when practical and consistent with program policies and approval requirements.
Priority review does not guarantee a funding decision before an event takes place.
Yes.
Organizations submitting an NOI must be able to comply with applicable grant requirements if funding is awarded, including any marketing, sponsorship recognition, reporting, documentation, insurance, and post-event requirements established by the applicable grant program.
Events that occurred before a Notice of Intent or application was submitted are not eligible for consideration.
The Notice of Intent form is available on the Maryland Sports Commission website.
grants-overview/fy27-notice-of-intent-to-apply/
The current goal is to open both application portals by mid-July 2026; however, the timeline remains subject to completion of the program review process and any necessary approvals.
The Notice of Intent process will remain available until the FY27 application portals open. Maryland Sports reserves the right to modify the transition period, application timeline, or related procedures as necessary.
Additional updates will be communicated through the Maryland Sports Commission website and program communications.
Questions regarding eligibility, the transition period, the Notice of Intent process, or the FY27 application cycle should be submitted through the Maryland Sports Commission Grant Contact Form.
Funding recommendations are reviewed through Maryland Sports Commission and Maryland Stadium Authority processes. Certain awards may require approval by the Maryland Stadium Authority Board of Directors before funding can be awarded.
Submission of a Notice of Intent and/or Grant Application does not constitute a commitment of funding by Maryland Sports, the Maryland Stadium Authority, or the Maryland Stadium Authority
Yes.
Beginning with the FY27 funding cycle, recipients of funding through the Youth & Amateur Sports Grant Program and Michael Erin Busch Fund will be required to recognize both the Maryland Sports Commission and the Maryland Stadium Authority as funding partners.
This change aligns the Youth & Amateur Sports Grant Program and Michael Erin Busch Fund with the existing branding and recognition requirements of the Major Sports & Entertainment Events Fund.
Where sponsorship recognition is provided, grantees will be required to display and utilize both the Maryland Sports Commission and Maryland Stadium Authority logos in accordance with applicable branding guidelines and award requirements.
Examples include:
Additional branding guidance and logo files will be provided to grantees as part of the award process. Current Grant Brand Guidelines
Maryland Sports may communicate with applicants through the grant portal when appropriate; however, organizations interested in grant opportunities are strongly encouraged to subscribe to the Maryland Sports Commission Grant Information mailing list. The mailing list is the primary method for distributing program updates, application announcements, deadline reminders, and other grant-related communications.
Sign Up for Grant Updates:
https://mailchi.mp/marylandsports/sign-up-for-grant-info
Organizations interested in the Youth & Amateur Sports Grant and Michael Erin Busch Fund, or Major Sports & Entertainment Events Fund are encouraged to join the Maryland Sports Commission Grant Information mailing list.
While Maryland Sports may communicate with applicants through the grant portal when appropriate, subscribing to the Grant Information mailing list is the best way to ensure you receive important program updates and announcements throughout the year.
Subscribers will receive updates regarding:
FY27 application opening dates
Program guideline updates
Notice of Intent information
Application deadlines
Funding opportunities
Grant program announcements
Changes to application requirements or procedures
Sign Up for Grant Updates:
https://mailchi.mp/marylandsports/sign-up-for-grant-info
