# FEMA Offers $250M Counter-UAS Grants

FEMA is offering $250 million through its FY2027 Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Counter-UAS) Grant Program to expand state and local drone detection and response capabilities. Applications are due November 16, 2026, at 5 p.m. Eastern—eight days from November 8—and only State Administrative Agencies (SAAs) may apply directly. Awards are expected to range from approximately $820,000 to $18.7 million per state, with most funding expected to reach local agencies. For procurement teams, this creates a near-term route to fund interoperable detection, tracking, identification, and information-sharing systems; mitigation equipment may require federal authorization and qualified operators.

- SAAs should finalize applications before the November 16 deadline and coordinate with local public safety agencies. Local agencies should confirm their state’s subapplication deadlines and submission process, since they cannot apply directly to FEMA.
- Suppliers should align offerings with coordinated, interoperable counter-drone capabilities for major events and critical-infrastructure protection. Agencies seeking mitigation equipment need to account for the stated federal authorization and operator qualifications.
- The program’s expected state awards and local pass-through funding make early coordination with state grant administrators important for agencies and prospective suppliers planning their proposals.

**Jurisdictions:** federal, sled
**Industries:** Public Safety, Information Technology
**Topics:** Grants & Funding, Emergency Response, Digital Infrastructure
**Published:** November 08, 2026

### Government Entities
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- State Administrative Agencies (SAAs)
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

### Vendors
- RJ Green Research (Provider of a free grant application kit)

### Key Quotes
> Most local agencies have a real drone problem and very little time to describe it in a form FEMA can fund.
> — Robert J. Green, Founder of RJ Green Research

### Sources
- [FEMA Counter-Drone Grants: $250M Available, Nov 16 Deadline - DRONELIFE](https://dronelife.com/2026/11/01/fema-counter-drone-grants-2027-deadline) - Dronelife
- [Counter-drone technology will secure U.S. skies | Opinion](https://www.recordonline.com/story/opinion/2026/11/08/counter-drone-technology-250-million-funding/92612045007) - Times Herald-Record