Opportunity Information: Apply for DHS 27 GPD 161 00 99
The Fiscal Year 2027 Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / FEMA grant opportunity designed to help state and territorial governments strengthen their ability to detect and respond to malicious or unlawful drone activity. The core purpose of the program is to fund the purchase of counter-UAS capabilities that improve public safety and protect critical infrastructure, especially in environments where unauthorized drones could disrupt operations, threaten crowds, or enable criminal or hostile surveillance. In practical terms, the program supports investment in technologies that allow agencies to detect a drone, identify what it is, monitor its activity, track its location and movement, and, where legally permitted, mitigate the threat.
A major emphasis of the program is the acquisition of UAS Detection, Identifying, Monitoring, Tracking, and Mitigation (DIMT-M) technologies. These tools can include systems that discover drones operating nearby, determine the drone type or operator-related indicators when available, follow the drone as it moves, and support coordinated incident response. The program is anchored in federal legal authorities and rules, specifically 6 U.S.C. 124n and the implementing regulations at 6 C.F.R. Part 124. A key constraint is that while some detection functions may be broadly useful for situational awareness, the operation of certain detection tools and all mitigation technologies is restricted. Mitigation capabilities, in particular, are limited to accredited law enforcement and correctional agencies that satisfy the training, certification, accreditation, and authorized technology requirements laid out in 6 C.F.R. 124 and explained in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). This means applicants need to plan not only for equipment purchases, but also for who will be legally allowed to operate the systems and what compliance steps must be met before those capabilities can be used.
For FY 2027, the program indicates that the remaining $250 million in funding will be distributed across all 56 states and territories. The funding approach is meant to build nationwide baseline detection and response capacity, rather than concentrating resources in only a few locations. At the same time, there is an expanded and explicit operational focus on preparing for the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Los Angeles, which have been designated a National Special Security Event (NSSE). Related official events have also been designated as Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) events, signaling heightened security planning and coordination requirements. Importantly, the NOFO description highlights the Olympic torch relay as a critical priority for this funding round. Because the relay travels along a large, multi-jurisdiction domestic route, the grant is intended to be leveraged strategically to support relay security planning, ensure interoperable detection and response coverage along the route, and improve interagency coordination well ahead of the opening ceremonies.
Allocation of funds follows a structured approach. Jurisdictions are expected to receive statutory minimums consistent with the State Homeland Security Grant Program framework, and additional funds are to be allocated based on DHS’s Terrorism Risk Methodology as well as the anticipated effectiveness of proposed projects. In other words, beyond guaranteed minimum distributions, states and territories can strengthen their share by proposing projects that clearly reduce risk and demonstrate strong operational impact, such as scalable regional detection coverage, strong concepts of operations, and plans that integrate multiple agencies and incident command structures for large events.
Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to state governments (including eligible territories), with the expectation that states can pass funding through to subrecipients as permitted under the program. The listing information provided shows the opportunity is categorized as a grant in the law, justice, and legal services area under CFDA/Assistance Listing 97.161. DHS/FEMA expects 56 awards, aligning with the 56 states and territories referenced in the program description. The funding opportunity number is DHS-27-GPD-161-00-99. The original closing date is November 16, 2026. The listed award ceiling is $18,665,396, indicating the maximum expected award size for a single recipient under this competition, while total program funding is described more broadly in the narrative as the remaining $250 million to be distributed nationwide.
Overall, this grant opportunity is best understood as a nationwide capacity-building investment in counter-drone readiness, with strict legal and operational guardrails around mitigation, and with a clear near-term national priority: building the detection and response posture needed to secure Olympics-related events, especially the torch relay, through coordinated planning and compliant deployment of DIMT-M technologies.Apply for DHS 27 GPD 161 00 99
- The Department of Homeland Security - FEMA in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fiscal Year 2027 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 2026-10-16.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-11-16. (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 $18,665,396.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 56 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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FY 2027 Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program FAQs
1) What is the FY 2027 Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program?
It is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / FEMA grant opportunity intended to help state and territorial governments strengthen their ability to detect and respond to malicious or unlawful drone activity. The program primarily funds the purchase of counter-UAS capabilities that improve public safety and protect critical infrastructure.
2) What is the main purpose of this grant?
The core purpose is to fund counter-UAS technologies that improve a jurisdiction's ability to detect a drone, identify what it is, monitor its activity, track its location and movement, and (where legally permitted) mitigate the threat. The emphasis is on improving readiness and operational response in environments where unauthorized drones could disrupt operations, threaten crowds, or support hostile or criminal surveillance.
3) What types of capabilities does the grant emphasize funding?
The program places major emphasis on acquiring UAS Detection, Identifying, Monitoring, Tracking, and Mitigation (DIMT-M) technologies. These are systems and tools that support discovering drones, understanding relevant characteristics (including operator-related indicators when available), following drone movement, and supporting coordinated incident response.
4) What does DIMT-M stand for in this program?
DIMT-M refers to Detection, Identifying, Monitoring, Tracking, and Mitigation capabilities for counter-UAS operations. In practical terms, DIMT-M tools can help agencies find drones operating nearby, determine what the drone is (and sometimes indicators tied to an operator), monitor activity, track the drone as it moves, and support response actions. Mitigation refers to actions intended to counter or reduce the threat, but its use is legally restricted.
5) Are there legal restrictions on using counter-UAS technology funded by this grant?
Yes. The program is anchored in federal legal authorities and implementing regulations, specifically 6 U.S.C. 124n and 6 C.F.R. Part 124. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) explains that the operation of certain detection tools and all mitigation technologies is restricted. Applicants need to plan around who is legally allowed to operate the systems and what compliance steps are required before those capabilities can be used.
6) Who is allowed to operate mitigation technologies under this program?
Mitigation capabilities are limited to accredited law enforcement and correctional agencies that satisfy the training, certification, accreditation, and authorized technology requirements described in 6 C.F.R. Part 124 and explained in the NOFO.
7) Does the grant support only mitigation tools, or detection tools as well?
The program supports acquisition of DIMT-M technologies broadly, which includes detection, identifying, monitoring, tracking, and mitigation. However, the NOFO notes that while some detection functions may be broadly useful for situational awareness, the operation of certain detection tools is restricted, and all mitigation technologies are restricted.
8) What should applicants consider besides purchasing equipment?
The program description indicates applicants should plan not only for equipment purchases, but also for who will be legally allowed to operate the systems and what training, certification, accreditation, and authorized technology requirements must be met for compliant use, especially for mitigation capabilities.
9) How much funding is available for FY 2027?
The program narrative states that the remaining $250 million in funding will be distributed across all 56 states and territories for FY 2027.
10) How many awards does DHS/FEMA expect to make?
DHS/FEMA expects 56 awards, aligning with the program description stating funds will be distributed across all 56 states and territories.
11) Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Eligibility is limited to state governments, including eligible territories. The program description also indicates states are expected to be able to pass funding through to subrecipients as permitted under the program.
12) Can states pass grant funds through to subrecipients?
Yes. The program description states that while eligibility is limited to state governments (including eligible territories), states can pass funding through to subrecipients as permitted under the program.
13) What is the funding distribution approach across states and territories?
The funding approach is intended to build nationwide baseline detection and response capacity rather than concentrating resources in only a few locations. The program indicates distribution across all 56 states and territories, with statutory minimums consistent with the State Homeland Security Grant Program framework.
14) How are additional funds allocated beyond minimum amounts?
Beyond statutory minimums, the program states that additional funds will be allocated based on DHS's Terrorism Risk Methodology and the anticipated effectiveness of proposed projects. This means jurisdictions can strengthen their share by proposing projects that clearly reduce risk and demonstrate strong operational impact.
15) What kinds of project characteristics may improve competitiveness under the effectiveness factor?
The description notes examples such as scalable regional detection coverage, strong concepts of operations, and plans that integrate multiple agencies and incident command structures for large events.
16) What is the operational focus related to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and Paralympics?
The NOFO description highlights an expanded and explicit operational focus on preparing for the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Los Angeles, which are designated as a National Special Security Event (NSSE). Related official events have also been designated as Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) events, reflecting heightened security planning and coordination needs.
17) Why is the Olympic torch relay specifically highlighted as a priority?
The description highlights the Olympic torch relay as a critical priority for the funding round because it travels along a large, multi-jurisdiction domestic route. The grant is intended to be leveraged strategically to support relay security planning, ensure interoperable detection and response coverage along the route, and improve interagency coordination well ahead of the opening ceremonies.
18) What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?
The listed award ceiling is $18,665,396, described as the maximum expected award size for a single recipient under this competition.
19) What is the application closing date?
The original closing date listed is November 16, 2026.
20) What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number provided is DHS-27-GPD-161-00-99.
21) What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number and category for this grant?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA/Assistance Listing 97.161 and is categorized as a grant in the law, justice, and legal services area.
22) What is the overall takeaway for what this grant is trying to accomplish nationwide?
The program is described as a nationwide capacity-building investment in counter-drone readiness, with strict legal and operational guardrails around mitigation. It also identifies a near-term national priority: building the detection and response posture needed to secure Olympics-related events, especially the torch relay, through coordinated planning and compliant deployment of DIMT-M technologies.
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