Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program

The Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program, established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, 2025 (Pub. L. No. 119-21, Sec. 90005(a)), provides $500 million in funding to enhance state and local capabilities to detect, identify, track, or monitor unmanned aircraft systems (as defined in 49 U.S.C. § 44801), consistent with Titles 18 and 49 of the U.S.C. This funding supports U.S. state, local, tribal, and territorial governments in combatting the unlawful use of unmanned aircraft systems that pose a threat to the safety and security of the American people, communities, and institutions.

Using C-UAS Grant Program funds, eligible governments and their subrecipients may purchase unmanned aircraft system (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. For Fiscal Year 2026, DHS/FEMA will prioritize $250 million in funding for the 11 states that are directly or indirectly hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 events and the National Capital Region (NCR), which is hosting national America 250 events. All of the FIFA and NCR America 250 events are designated as Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) 1 or 2. These states and the NCR will receive statutory minimums established under the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSP), with additional funds allocated competitively based on the SEAR level of hosted events and the anticipated effectiveness of proposed projects.

The outstanding $250 million will be distributed in Fiscal Year 2027 to all 56 states and territories, with an expanded focus on building national detection and response capacity. Details regarding Fiscal Year 2027 will be determined and shared at a later date.

The total funding for the grant program is $500,000,000 - Fiscal Year 2026: up to $250,000,000 - FY 2027: up to $250,000,000.