FEMA's $500M Counter-Drone Program Expands Nationwide in FY2027
March 7, 2026 · 2 min read
David Almeida
The Department of Homeland Security's $500 million Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Grant Program is entering its second phase. After fast-tracking $250 million to 11 World Cup host states in December, FEMA will open FY2027 applications to all 56 states and territories — the first nationwide counter-drone funding program in U.S. history.
What FY2026 Revealed About the Program's DNA
FEMA awarded FY2026 funds in just 25 days from application deadline to award — its fastest non-disaster grant turnaround ever. The $250 million went to the 11 states hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 matches plus the National Capital Region.
Eligible activities include detection, identification, monitoring, and tracking of unmanned aircraft systems. Mitigation capabilities — actually disabling or downing drones — are restricted to law enforcement and correctional agencies, with mandatory training at the FBI's National Counter-UAS Training Center.
Critically, 97% of funds flow to local subrecipients through state administrative agencies, meaning cities, counties, and tribal governments are the primary beneficiaries.
FY2027: Every State and Territory Gets a Shot
The second tranche of $250 million opens to all 56 state administrative agencies — the 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The shift from event-driven funding to nationwide infrastructure investment marks a fundamental expansion of the program's scope.
Local law enforcement, fire services, EMS, and other public safety organizations can access funding as subrecipients through their state administrative agencies. Tribal nations, while not eligible to apply directly, can participate as subrecipients through their state SAA.
How to Prepare Before Applications Open
FY2027 application details haven't been released yet, but the FY2026 structure provides a clear template. Local agencies should begin engaging their state administrative agencies now, conducting baseline C-UAS capability assessments, and identifying critical infrastructure and event venues that need coverage.
The FY2026 performance period runs through September 30, 2028, giving a sense of expected program timelines. For public safety agencies tracking federal grant programs across DHS, DOJ, and other agencies, more analysis of available funding is on the Granted blog.