Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program
Active
- Assistance listing
- 97.161
- Agency
-
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Department of Homeland Security
- Grant awards
- 12 $250,000,001 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Also known as
- C-UAS
- Assistance type
-
- Project Grant
- Treasury account
-
- 07-0202-5-2-029
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is awarding grants under the Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program (CFDA 97.161) to state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies and first responders to purchase detection, tracking, identification, and mitigation technologies for unmanned aircraft system threats, with an open application deadline of November 16, 2026 for Fiscal Year 2027 funding.
The program distributes a $500 million authorization across two fiscal years under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, 2025. FEMA obligated $250 million across 12 Project Grants in July 2025, with individual awards ranging from $5.3 million to $34.6 million and completion dates set for September 30, 2028. All awards to date have been Project Grants, and FEMA is the sole funding agency under this Assistance Listing.
Eligible applicants are state governments, though the program description indicates state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies and their subrecipients may participate. Recipients and subrecipients may purchase fixed or portable UAS detection, identification, monitoring, tracking, and mitigation (DIMT-M) technologies consistent with applicable law. Mitigation technologies are limited to accredited law enforcement and correctional agencies meeting training, certification, and accreditation requirements under 6 C.F.R. 124. Funding decisions are scored based on the risk profile of the project location multiplied by project effectiveness, with additional prioritization for jurisdictions hosting events of national significance.
The Fiscal Year 2027 NOFO (DHS-27-GPD-161-00-99), posted October 16, 2026 with applications due November 16, 2026, distributes the remaining $250 million to all 56 states and territories with focus on building national detection and response capacity and supporting the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Los Angeles, designated as a National Special Security Event. Jurisdictions receive statutory minimums with additional funds allocated based on DHS Terrorism Risk Methodology and anticipated project effectiveness. Recipients must accept awards within 60 days of notification through the FEMA GO portal and comply with 2 C.F.R. Part 200 audit and financial reporting requirements.
Objective and description
- Objective
The C-UAS Grant Program provides resources to state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) agencies, first responders, and public safety entities to detect, track, identify, and-where authorized-mitigate unmanned aircraft system (UAS) threats, ensuri
- Description
The C-UAS Grant Program was developed to strengthen the ability of state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies, first responders and public safety entities to combat the threat posed by the unlawful and nefarious use of unmanned aircraft systems. Through this program, recipients and subrecipients may use federal funds to purchase fixed or portable systems that can detect, track, identify, and mitigate UAS threats consistent with applicable laws.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
Non-federal entities as defined in 2 C.F.R. § 200.1
- Credentials and documentation
Eligible applicants should refer to the C-UAS NOFO to identify all required content for an application.
- Uses of assistance
Recipients and subrecipients may use grant funds for costs related to purchase UAS detection, identifying, monitoring, tracking, and mitigation (DIMT-M) technologies to support public safety officials in the protection of the public and critical infrastructure from nefarious or unlawful use of UAS; mitigation technologies will be limited to select jurisdictions.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
The period of performance is 36 months for all projects.
How to apply
- Application procedure
Eligible applicants will apply for assistance using FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO). 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program.
- Criteria for selecting proposals
Projects receive an effectiveness score based on related training and equipment proposed, as well as a prioritization score for projects in cities hosting events of National significance, such as World Cup, America 250, the Olympics, etc. Funding is allocated to projects based on the risk associated with the project location, multiplied by effectiveness of the project. Funds are recommended in rank order of scores and allocated at the discretion of the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
- Award procedure
Notification of award approval is made via the FEMA GO system through automatic electronic mail to the recipient's authorized official listed in the initial application. The recipient should follow the directions in the notification to confirm acceptance of the award. Recipients must accept their awards no later than 60 days from the award date. The recipient shall notify FEMA of its intent to accept and proceed with work under the award or provide a notice of intent to decline through the FEMA GO system. Funds will remain on hold until the recipient accepts the award through the FEMA GO system and all other conditions of the award have been satisfied or until the award is otherwise rescinded. Failure to accept a grant award within the 60-day timeframe may result in a loss of funds.
- Time to approval or disapproval
From: October 28, 2025 - To: December 5, 2025
Grant opportunities
| Opportunity | Status | Posted | Applications due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiscal Year 2027 Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program | Open | ||
| Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program | Closed |
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 12 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Office Of Emergency Services | $34,591,628 | 14% |
| 2 | Texas Office Of The Governor | $30,276,432 | 12% |
| 3 | District Of Columbia Government | $28,266,328 | 11% |
| 4 | State Of Florida Division Of Emergency Management | $23,636,512 | 9% |
| 5 | Department Of Public Safety | $21,891,528 | 9% |
| 6 | New Jersey Office Of Homeland Security And Preparedness | $21,764,004 | 9% |
| 7 | Georgia Emergency Management And Homeland Security Agency | $20,284,936 | 8% |
| 8 | Military Department, Washington State | $19,504,506 | 8% |
| 9 | New York State Division Of Homeland Security & Emergency Services | $17,731,724 | 7% |
| 10 | Department Of Public Safety Missouri | $14,240,568 | 6% |
10 of 12 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2026 | $250,000,001 |
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 97.161?
Assistance Listing 97.161 is Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program, a federal grant program run by Federal Emergency Management Agency (Department of Homeland Security).
What is the CFDA number for Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program?
Its CFDA number is 97.161: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 97.161 awarded?
12 grant awards under 97.161 have obligated $250,000,001 in federal funds to 12 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 97.161?
The recipients obligated the most under Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program are Office Of Emergency Services ($34,591,628), Texas Office Of The Governor ($30,276,432) and District Of Columbia Government ($28,266,328).
Are there open grant opportunities under 97.161?
1 listed opportunity under 97.161 is open or forecasted. The latest, Fiscal Year 2027 Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program, was posted on October 16, 2026.
On GovTribe
See this program's full record
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