# Kansas Opens $2M UAS Grant Program

The Kansas Department of Commerce has opened a one-time $2 million AIR KS grant program to expand UAS test-range infrastructure and Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) capabilities in Kansas. Public, private, nonprofit, tribal, and higher-education applicants may submit applications by November 22, 2026; awards are expected in December, and funded projects must be completed within eight months of receiving funds. This creates a near-term funding opportunity for organizations developing or expanding drone testing and operations capabilities in the state.

- **Key deadline:** Applications are due November 22, 2026 (30 days from October 23, 2026).
- Eligible applicants across public, private, nonprofit, tribal, and higher-education sectors can pursue funding for Kansas-based UAS test-range and BVLOS projects.
- Applicants should plan project schedules around the requirement to complete funded work within eight months of receiving funds; awardees are expected to be announced in December 2026.
- Questions about the AIR KS grant application can be sent to KDC_Air.Ks@ks.gov.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Transportation
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 22, 2026

### Government Entities
- Kansas Department of Commerce

### Sources
- [AIR KS Offers Grant Funding to Advance UAS and BVLOS Operations in Kansas - Kansas Department of Commerce](https://www.kansascommerce.gov/2026/10/air-ks-offers-grant-funding-to-advance-uas-and-bvlos-operations-in-kansas/) - KS