9/11 Memorial Act Grant | P26AS00150

FAQs: 9/11 Memorial Act Grant (Funding Opportunity Number P26AS00150)

What is the 9/11 Memorial Act Grant (P26AS00150)?

The 9/11 Memorial Act Grant (Funding Opportunity Number P26AS00150) is a competitive National Park Service (NPS) grant program that supports the ongoing operation, security, and maintenance of on-site memorials dedicated to the events and victims of September 11, 2001.

What is the purpose of this grant program?

The purpose is to sustain the day-to-day and long-term needs of eligible on-site 9/11 memorial locations, recognizing that these sites require continuous staffing, protective measures, and upkeep to remain safe, accessible, and preserved for the public.

Is this a competitive or formula grant?

This is a competitive and discretionary federal grant opportunity.

Who administers this funding opportunity?

The program is a National Park Service (NPS) grant opportunity.

What types of sites are eligible under this program?

Eligible sites are specifically defined as "covered memorials" under the 9/11 Memorial Act. The grant is narrowly focused on sustaining the operations, security, and maintenance of these covered memorial sites.

What is a "covered memorial" for this grant?

A covered memorial must be located in the United States and must have been established at the actual attack sites of September 11, 2001: the World Trade Center site and the Pentagon site. It must be dedicated to commemorating the events and honoring the victims, and it must meet specific public-access commitments described in the program requirements.

Which physical locations qualify as the "actual attack sites" under this opportunity?

Only the World Trade Center site and the Pentagon site are identified as the actual attack sites for purposes of defining a covered memorial under this program.

Are off-site 9/11 memorials eligible?

No. The opportunity is limited to on-site memorials established at the World Trade Center site or the Pentagon site, as defined by the Act. Organizations supporting 9/11 remembrance efforts off-site are not eligible under the definition provided.

What organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited by statute. Applicants must be nonprofit organizations described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and exempt from taxation under section 501(a). The nonprofit must have been in existence as of the date the 9/11 Memorial Act was enacted, and its mission focus must be the operations and preservation of a covered memorial.

Does the applicant need to own or operate the memorial?

Yes. Practically speaking, the applicant must own and/or operate the covered memorial as defined by the Act. This funding is not described as being available to general nonprofits, local governments, or organizations that support remembrance efforts but do not own or operate a covered memorial at the defined sites.

Are local governments eligible to apply?

No. Based on the eligibility language provided, applicants must be qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofits meeting the Act's requirements, and the program is not open to local governments.

Are organizations other than 501(c)(3) nonprofits eligible?

No. Eligibility is limited to nonprofits described in section 501(c)(3) and exempt under section 501(a), with additional statutory and mission-based requirements tied to operating and preserving a covered memorial.

What public access requirements must a covered memorial meet?

A covered memorial must provide free admission to: (1) active and retired members of the U.S. military, (2) registered first responders to the 9/11 attacks, and (3) family members of victims. It must also offer free admission hours to the general public at least once per week.

Does the program require free admission for the general public?

Yes. A covered memorial must offer free admission hours to the general public at least once per week.

Which groups must receive free admission under the program requirements?

The memorial must provide free admission to active and retired members of the U.S. military, registered first responders to the 9/11 attacks, and family members of victims.

What kinds of needs does the grant support?

The grant is designed to support ongoing operation, security, and maintenance needs of covered memorials, including continuous staffing, protective measures, and upkeep necessary for safety, accessibility, and preservation.

Is this grant intended for capital expansion or new memorial construction?

The information provided describes the program as narrowly focused on sustaining ongoing operation, security, and maintenance for existing on-site memorials. It is presented as support for day-to-day and long-term stewardship rather than building new memorials.

What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this program?

The program is listed as CFDA/Assistance Listing 15.964.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $4,000,000.

How many awards does the agency expect to make?

The expected number of awards is one, indicating the opportunity is highly targeted.

When is the application due?

The application closing date is August 5, 2026.

When was this opportunity posted/created?

The opportunity was created on July 6, 2026.

What law governs or limits eligibility for this grant?

Eligibility is limited by statute under the 9/11 Memorial Act (H.R. 6287 / Public Law 115-413).

Why is the grant described as "highly targeted"?

It is described as highly targeted because eligibility is restricted to a narrow set of organizations that own and/or operate covered memorials at the specified on-site locations, and because the expected number of awards is one with a substantial award ceiling.

What is the overall goal of the federal investment described in this opportunity?

The overall goal is to help ensure long-term stewardship, safety, and operational continuity of the official on-site 9/11 memorial locations while maintaining meaningful public access.