Opportunity Information: Apply for DHS FEMA C UAS 161
The Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program is a DHS/FEMA discretionary grant (Funding Opportunity Number: DHS FEMA C UAS 161; CFDA: 97.161) created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, 2025 (Pub. L. No. 119-21, Sec. 90005(a)). Its purpose is to strengthen government capabilities to detect, identify, track, and monitor unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), as defined in 49 U.S.C. 44801, in a way that aligns with the legal frameworks in Titles 18 and 49 of the U.S. Code. The program is aimed at helping state, local, tribal, and territorial partners address unlawful or malicious drone activity that could threaten public safety, major gatherings, critical infrastructure, and other sensitive institutions.
The program provides a total of $500,000,000 split across two fiscal years: up to $250,000,000 in FY 2026 and up to $250,000,000 in FY 2027. In practical terms, the funding is intended to help public safety and homeland security stakeholders build or expand operational capacity around counter-drone missions, especially in situations where drones could be used for disruption, surveillance, contraband delivery, or other illegal actions. While the eligible applicant category listed for the opportunity is state governments, the description also makes clear that subrecipients under state awards can include other units of government, meaning states can typically pass funding through to local, tribal, and territorial partners consistent with grant rules.
Allowable investments emphasized in the notice include purchasing UAS detection, identification, monitoring, tracking, and mitigation technologies (often grouped under the shorthand DIMT-M). The focus is on equipping and supporting public safety officials so they can better protect the public and critical infrastructure from unlawful or harmful UAS use. A key limitation is that UAS mitigation technologies (tools that go beyond detection and attempt to disrupt, disable, or otherwise counter a drone) will only be available to select jurisdictions, reflecting the tighter legal and operational controls that generally apply to mitigation activities.
For FY 2026, FEMA intends to prioritize the first $250,000,000 toward high-profile, elevated-risk special events. Specifically, the priority is for the 11 states directly or indirectly hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 events and for the National Capital Region (NCR), which will host national America 250 events. These events are designated at Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) levels 1 or 2, which are among the highest federal special-event risk tiers. The funding distribution for those priority recipients is structured to include statutory minimums established under the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSP), and then additional funding is to be awarded competitively based on two main factors: the SEAR level of the hosted events and how effective the proposed projects are expected to be.
The remaining $250,000,000 is planned for distribution in FY 2027 to all 56 states and territories, with a broader emphasis on building nationwide detection and response capacity rather than concentrating primarily on a specific set of events. FEMA notes that FY 2027 details will be finalized and shared later, signaling that the second-year rollout may include additional guidance on allowable activities, competitive elements, or national capability goals once FY 2026 awards and event-driven needs are clearer.
Key administrative details included in the listing are that the award instrument is a grant, the award ceiling shown is $250,000,000 (matching the maximum planned for a single fiscal year), and the anticipated number of awards for the FY 2026 cycle is 12 (consistent with the 11 FIFA-related states plus the NCR). The opportunity was created on 2025-11-07, and the listed closing date is 2025-12-05.Apply for DHS FEMA C UAS 161
- The Department of Homeland Security - FEMA in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 97.161.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2025-11-07.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-12-05. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 12 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program (DHS/FEMA) - FAQs
1. What is the Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program?
The Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program is a DHS/FEMA discretionary grant program designed to strengthen government capabilities to detect, identify, track, and monitor unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). It is intended to help address unlawful or malicious drone activity that could threaten public safety, major gatherings, critical infrastructure, and other sensitive institutions.
2. Which agency is offering this grant?
The grant is offered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
3. What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DHS FEMA C UAS 161.
4. What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 97.161.
5. What law created this grant program?
This program was created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, 2025 (Pub. L. No. 119-21, Sec. 90005(a)).
6. What is the overall purpose of the program?
The purpose is to help government partners build or expand operational capacity for counter-drone missions by improving capabilities to detect, identify, track, and monitor UAS, in a manner that aligns with legal frameworks in Titles 18 and 49 of the U.S. Code.
7. What types of drone threats is the program intended to address?
The program is aimed at unlawful or malicious drone activity, including situations where drones could be used for disruption, surveillance, contraband delivery, or other illegal actions that may impact public safety or sensitive sites.
8. How much total funding is available under the C-UAS Grant Program?
The program provides a total of $500,000,000 split across two fiscal years: up to $250,000,000 in FY 2026 and up to $250,000,000 in FY 2027.
9. How much funding is planned for FY 2026?
Up to $250,000,000 is planned for FY 2026.
10. How much funding is planned for FY 2027?
Up to $250,000,000 is planned for FY 2027.
11. What is the award instrument for this opportunity?
The award instrument is a grant.
12. What is the award ceiling shown in the listing?
The award ceiling shown is $250,000,000, which aligns with the maximum planned funding for a single fiscal year under this program.
13. Who is eligible to apply as the primary applicant?
The eligible applicant category listed is state governments.
14. Can local, tribal, or territorial governments participate?
Yes, the description indicates that subrecipients under state awards can include other units of government. This means states can typically pass funding through to local, tribal, and territorial partners consistent with grant rules.
15. What activities or investments does the notice emphasize as allowable?
The notice emphasizes investments in UAS detection, identification, monitoring, tracking, and mitigation technologies, commonly grouped as DIMT-M. The focus is on equipping and supporting public safety officials to better protect the public and critical infrastructure from unlawful or harmful UAS use.
16. What does DIMT-M mean in the context of this grant?
DIMT-M is shorthand for technologies and capabilities related to detection, identification, monitoring, tracking, and mitigation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
17. Are UAS mitigation technologies available to all recipients?
No. The notice states that UAS mitigation technologies (tools that go beyond detection and attempt to disrupt, disable, or otherwise counter a drone) will only be available to select jurisdictions, reflecting tighter legal and operational controls for mitigation activities.
18. What is FEMA prioritizing for FY 2026 funding?
For FY 2026, FEMA intends to prioritize the first $250,000,000 toward high-profile, elevated-risk special events. The priority is for the 11 states directly or indirectly hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 events and for the National Capital Region (NCR), which will host national America 250 events.
19. What special-event risk tiers are referenced for the FY 2026 priorities?
The events are designated at Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) levels 1 or 2, which are among the highest federal special-event risk tiers.
20. How will FY 2026 funding be distributed for the priority recipients?
The distribution is structured to include statutory minimums established under the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSP). After that, additional funding is to be awarded competitively based on two main factors: (1) the SEAR level of the hosted events and (2) how effective the proposed projects are expected to be.
21. How many awards are anticipated for the FY 2026 cycle?
The anticipated number of awards for FY 2026 is 12, consistent with the 11 FIFA-related states plus the National Capital Region (NCR).
22. What is the National Capital Region (NCR) in this funding context?
In this program description, the NCR is identified as the region that will host national America 250 events and is included among the FY 2026 priority recipients.
23. What is planned for FY 2027 distribution?
The remaining $250,000,000 is planned for distribution in FY 2027 to all 56 states and territories, with a broader emphasis on building nationwide detection and response capacity rather than focusing primarily on a specific set of events.
24. Are the FY 2027 program details finalized?
No. FEMA notes that FY 2027 details will be finalized and shared later, indicating that additional guidance may be provided after FY 2026 awards and event-driven needs are clearer.
25. What legal definition of UAS does the program reference?
The program references the definition of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) as defined in 49 U.S.C. 44801.
26. What legal frameworks does the program say it will align with?
The program states that it will align with the legal frameworks in Titles 18 and 49 of the U.S. Code.
27. When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2025-11-07.
28. What is the listed application closing date?
The listed closing date is 2025-12-05.
29. Is this a discretionary grant?
Yes. The notice describes the C-UAS Grant Program as a DHS/FEMA discretionary grant.
30. What kinds of entities are the program trying to support operationally?
The description emphasizes supporting public safety and homeland security stakeholders in building or expanding operational capacity around counter-drone missions, particularly where unlawful or malicious UAS activity could affect public safety, major gatherings, critical infrastructure, or sensitive institutions.
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