Notice of Intent to Apply

Purpose

The Notice of Intent to Apply (NOI) is available for organizations with events occurring before the FY27 application portals open.

The NOI allows organizations to establish eligibility for consideration during the FY27 transition period and is intended to capture events that may otherwise be missed due to the delayed opening of the FY27 application cycle.

Who Should Submit an NOI?

Organizations should submit a Notice of Intent if:

• Their event will occur in July – October and before the FY27 application portals open.

• They intend to seek funding through the Youth & Amateur Sports Grant and Michael Erin Busch Fund, or the Major Sports & Entertainment Events Fund.

• They are unable to submit a full application because the FY27 application portals are not yet available.

Organizations with events occurring after August should wait until the FY27 application portals open and submit a full application.

Important Information

Submission of an NOI:

• Establishes eligibility during the transition period.

• Does not constitute a grant application.

• Does not reserve funding.

• Does not guarantee funding.

• Does not waive any program requirements.

Organizations submitting an NOI will be required to complete the full FY27 application once the application portals open.

All funding recommendations remain subject to eligibility requirements, evaluation results, available funding, applicable approval processes, and, where required, approval by the Maryland Stadium Authority Board of Directors.

New for FY27: Branding & Recognition Requirements

Beginning with the FY27 funding cycle, recipients of funding through the Youth & Amateur Sports Grant and Michael Erin Busch Fund will be required to recognize both the Maryland Sports Commission (MSC) and Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA) as funding partners.

This is a change from prior funding cycles and 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, the Maryland Stadium Authority logo must be displayed alongside the Maryland Sports Commission logo in accordance with applicable branding guidelines and award requirements.

Grant Branding Guidelines: https://marylandsports.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Maryland-Sports-BrandUseGuidlines_Grants-startFY27.pdf

Sponsorship Recognition Requirements

Organizations submitting an NOI should be aware that, if funding is awarded, they must be able to comply with applicable marketing and sponsorship recognition requirements. Depending on the program and award amount, grantees may be required to:

• Acknowledge the Maryland Sports Commission and Maryland Stadium Authority in promotional and written materials, where appropriate.
• Include Maryland Sports Commission and Maryland Stadium Authority logo recognition in promotional materials.
• Provide event photography and b-roll footage.
• Display Maryland Sports Commission and Maryland Stadium Authority signage, collateral, giveaways, logos, or other approved sponsorship assets at the event.
• Ensure Maryland Sports Commission and Maryland Stadium Authority logos are visible on-site at the event, where applicable.
• Provide sponsorship benefits commensurate with the value of the grant, including televised mentions, digital promotions, social media recognition, commercial inventory, or other agreed-upon benefits, where appropriate.

Organizations with events occurring prior to funding decisions should carefully consider these requirements before submitting an NOI, as the ability to fulfill applicable sponsorship and recognition obligations may be a factor in funding consideration.

Please complete the Notice of Intent form below. Required fields are marked accordingly. Upon submission, Maryland Sports Commission staff will review the information provided and maintain a record of your event for eligibility purposes during the FY27 transition period.

Questions

Questions regarding eligibility, the Notice of Intent process, or the FY27 transition period should be submitted through the Maryland Sports Commission Grant Contact Form.

Grant Contact Form: https://marylandsports.us/grants-overview/contact-grant-manager/