How the FEMA Drone Grant can support public safety & how to apply

FY 2026 – 2027 FEMA Drone Grant overview

The Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C‑UAS) Grant Program was established through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, authorizing FEMA to provide funding for counter-drone technologies and capabilities. The program focuses on helping public safety organizations protect communities, infrastructure and major events from drone-related threats.

Total funding allocation

The program allocates $500 million over two fiscal years:

• FY 2026: Up to $250 million
• FY 2027: Up to $250 million

The funding is intended to strengthen drone detection and response capabilities across state and local jurisdictions. Projects supported by the grant will typically focus on improving situational awareness, coordinating interagency responses and protecting critical infrastructure and large public gatherings.

Why were the grants created?

The need for counter-drone capabilities has grown rapidly in recent years. Drones can be used for legitimate commercial and recreational purposes, but they have also been involved in:

• Unauthorized surveillance
• Contraband delivery to correctional facilities
• Airspace violations of drones near airports and stadiums
• Disruption of emergency operations
• Potential threats to critical infrastructure

Federal agencies have increasingly emphasized the importance of building nationwide detection and response capabilities to address these risks. The FEMA C‑UAS grant program is intended to accelerate that effort by providing resources directly to the agencies responsible for protecting public spaces and infrastructure.

What does the drone grant support?

Funding through the C‑UAS Grant Program is designed to support capabilities that help agencies detect, identify, track and mitigate drone threats. Below is a breakdown of common activities that are eligible and ineligible under the grant program.

Eligible uses for FEMA 

Drone detection technology

Funding may be used to acquire systems capable of detecting and identifying drones operating within a protected airspace. This includes technologies such as:

• Radio frequency (RF) detection systems
• Radar-based drone detection platforms
• Optical or infrared sensors
• Security cameras with counter-UAV video analytics
• Integrated multi-sensor detection networks

These technologies help agencies identify drones early and understand their flight behavior.

Tracking and identification systems

Agencies can also invest in tools that track drone movement and determine ownership or control sources. Examples include:

• Drone tracking software
• Remote ID analysis tools
• Integrated airspace awareness platforms

These solutions help public safety teams detect drone activity and coordinate responses.

Counter-drone response capabilities

Certain jurisdictions may also use funding to implement mitigation capabilities to help neutralize or disable malicious drones. Mitigation technologies may be restricted to authorized agencies and must comply with federal laws and operational requirements.

Planning, training and exercises

The grant also supports non-technology investments that improve operational readiness, such as:

• Personnel training programs
• Multi-agency response exercises
• Counter-UAS operational planning
• Integration with emergency operations centers

These activities help ensure technology deployments are supported by well-trained personnel and coordinated response protocols.

Ineligible uses for FEMA drone grant funding

While the grant program supports a broad range of counter-UAS capabilities, certain activities are not eligible for funding. Examples of ineligible uses include:

• Non-security drone programs unrelated to counter-UAS operations
• Recreational or commercial drone purchases
• General aviation infrastructure projects
• Activities unrelated to the detection or mitigation of drone threats
• Technology deployments that do not align with federal counter-UAS authorities

Agencies must ensure proposed projects directly support the program’s goal of improving drone detection or mitigation capabilities.

Who is eligible for grant funding?

The C‑UAS grant program uses a tiered eligibility model with primary applicants and subrecipients.

Direct applicants

Only State Administrative Agencies (SAAs) may apply directly to FEMA for funding. SAAs are responsible for submitting statewide grant applications and managing fund distribution. SAAs typically oversee homeland security or emergency management grants and coordinate with local jurisdictions to identify priority projects.

Subapplicants (Subrecipients)

Local and regional agencies may receive funding through their state’s SAA. These subrecipients may include:

• City and county governments
• Law enforcement agencies
• Emergency management departments
• Fire and EMS agencies
• Airport authorities
• Port authorities
• Tribal governments

In many cases, states must allocate a large portion of grant funding to local agencies, ensuring frontline responders receive the resources needed to address drone threats.

Funding priorities: FY 2026 vs. FY 2027

FEMA established different funding priorities for each fiscal year of the program.

Fiscal year 2026

Funding in FY 2026 prioritizes jurisdictions associated with major national events, including:

• States hosting matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup
• The National Capital Region, preparing for celebrations tied to the United States Semiquincentennial (America 250)

These events have been designated high-risk gatherings requiring enhanced stadium security. As a result, the $250 million FY 2026 funding pool is primarily directed to 11 World Cup host states and the National Capital Region, with allocations partially based on event risk levels.

Fiscal year 2027

In FY 2027, the remaining $250 million will be distributed across all 56 U.S. states and territories. This second funding phase focuses on expanding nationwide counter-UAS capabilities, ensuring jurisdictions beyond major event locations can deploy drone detection and response systems.

2026 – 2027 FEMA Drone Grant application process

Applying for the FEMA C‑UAS grant program requires coordination between state agencies and local partners. Below is a general step-by-step overview of the process.

1. Review the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

FEMA publishes a Notice of Funding Opportunity outlining eligibility requirements, funding priorities and application procedures. For FY 2026, the NOFO was released in late October 2025, formally launching the program.

2. Coordinate with the State Administrative Agency

Because only SAAs can apply directly to FEMA, local agencies must coordinate with their state’s grant office to:

• Propose project ideas
• Demonstrate local drone threat risks
• Align with statewide counter-UAS strategies

Many states establish internal deadlines before the federal submission deadline.

3. Develop a risk and capability assessment

Applicants typically need to document:

• Local drone threat environments
• Critical infrastructure or events requiring protection
• Existing airspace detection capabilities
• Proposed technology or operational improvements

This assessment helps FEMA evaluate the risk and effectiveness of proposed projects.

4. Submit the state application

SAAs submit applications to FEMA on behalf of participating jurisdictions. For FY 2026, key timeline milestones included:

• Application start: October 28, 2025
• Application deadline: December 5, 2025
• Funding selection: Late January 2026
• Award announcements: Early 2026

5. Implement approved projects

Once funding is awarded, jurisdictions can begin:

• Procuring technology
• Conducting training
• Deploying detection systems
• Integrating capabilities into operational workflows

FY 2027 application process (expected)

The FY 2027 grant cycle will expand eligibility to all states and territories. While FEMA has not yet released full details, the process is expected to follow a structure similar to FY 2026:

1. FEMA releases a NOFO for FY 2027 funding
2. SAAs prepare statewide proposals
3. Local jurisdictions submit project proposals to their SAA
4. FEMA evaluates applications based on risk, coordination and capability development
5. Funds are distributed for technology deployment and training

The FY 2027 funding round is expected to place greater emphasis on building national counter-UAS readiness, rather than focusing on specific major events.

Coordinate your grant application for counter-UAV funding

The FEMA Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C‑UAS) Grant Program represents a major federal investment in public safety and airspace security. By allocating $500 million across fiscal years 2026 and 2027, the program aims to help state and local governments strengthen their ability to detect and respond to unauthorized drone activity.

For jurisdictions hosting major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup or preparing for national celebrations tied to the America 250 commemoration, the FY 2026 funding round provides immediate resources to secure high-risk environments. The FY 2027 funding phase will broaden the program’s reach, enabling U.S. jurisdictions to build sustainable counter-UAS capabilities.

As drones continue to reshape airspace operations, programs such as the FEMA C‑UAS grant will play an increasingly important role in helping governments maintain safe, secure skies. Agencies interested in participating should begin coordinating with their SAA early to ensure their projects align with statewide priorities and federal grant requirements.