Cities and their law enforcement agencies are adapting to an increasingly complex threat environment as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), colloquially known as drones, become part of everyday life. Drones have become essential tools for infrastructure inspections, news coverage and emergency response.
However, as communities embrace these innovations, they must also confront new risks. Unauthorized drone flights near airports, stadiums and power plants have become a growing concern for public safety officials. Increasingly, drones are also being used to smuggle contraband and illegal drugs into prisons, across borders and into restricted areas, creating new challenges for law enforcement and emergency responders. Local governments, which often serve as the first line of defense, need new tools and resources to detect and respond to these threats.
To help address these challenges, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has released the Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (Public Law 119-21), the program provides funding to state, local, tribal and territorial governments to develop systems that detect, identify, track and mitigate unauthorized drones.
Under the new program, FEMA will distribute about $500 million in grants over fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to help communities improve detection and response capabilities, build interagency coordination and train personnel.
Eligible applicants include state administrative agencies, or SAAs, which serve as the primary recipients of FEMA preparedness grants. Cities, counties, regional authorities and other local entities, such as police departments, emergency management offices and airport or port authorities, may apply as subrecipients through their state’s SAA. Tribal governments are also eligible under a separate set-aside.
For most local governments, the first step is to contact their SAA to discuss inclusion in the state’s counter-UAS strategy and confirm internal deadlines. The full NOFO and program fact sheet provide detailed guidance on eligibility, allowable costs and timelines.
What the Grant Can Fund
The Counter-UAS Grant Program focuses on four key capability areas:
- Detection
- Identification
- Tracking and monitoring
- Mitigation of unauthorized drone activity
Grant funding can be used to purchase detection systems such as radar, radio frequency and optical sensors, or to integrate existing technology into an emergency operations center. FEMA also allows funding for personnel training, multiagency exercises and planning and coordination among public safety agencies.
Because counter-UAS operations often require coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration and other federal authorities, FEMA encourages applicants to show partnerships across agencies. Projects that align with homeland security, critical infrastructure protection and emergency management strategies will be prioritized.
Applications will be reviewed based on FEMA’s effectiveness criteria: risk, strategy, coordination and measurable outcomes. Jurisdictions that clearly describe their local threat environment will be more competitive. FEMA will also assess how well the project aligns with broader state and national preparedness goals.
Applicants should prepare a detailed risk and needs assessment outlining where drones could threaten public safety or infrastructure. Examples may include electric utilities, water treatment facilities, hospitals, sports arenas and prisons. Real-world data or incident reports strengthen the justification for funding.
While the NOFO does not specifically require a local cost share or match, meaning eligible projects can receive up to 100 percent federal funding, applicants must still comply with all federal grant requirements under 2 C.F.R. Part 200 and are encouraged to plan for long-term sustainment costs once the federal funding period ends.
Sustainability is critical. FEMA expects jurisdictions to describe how they will maintain systems, renew licenses and continue training after the grant ends. Applicants should identify potential funding sources or regional cost-sharing models to sustain operations beyond the federal investment.
Finally, administrative readiness matters. Local governments must ensure finance and procurement staff understand federal grant requirements, including documentation, audit compliance and procurement standards. Engaging with the SAA early and monitoring state-level deadlines will help prevent delays or disqualification.
Local officials interested in applying should reach out to their SAA to confirm the state’s application process and internal submission timeline. FEMA’s Frequently Asked Questions page provides additional information on match, eligibility and subrecipient coordination.
NLC will continue to monitor the rollout of the program and provide updates as new information becomes available. By engaging early and building strong partnerships with state and regional agencies, local leaders can ensure their communities are prepared to meet the challenges of an evolving security environment.
Next Steps
City leaders interested in applying should begin by contacting their State Administrative Agency (SAA) to confirm state-specific timelines, subrecipient requirements and allocation processes. SAAs must submit their applications to FEMA by Dec. 5, 2025, at 5 p.m. ET, so local governments should engage as soon as possible to ensure their projects are considered.
You can find contact information for your SAA on FEMA’s website at State Administrative Agency Contacts. To review the full Notice of Funding Opportunity and begin preparing your materials, visit FEMA’s Counter-UAS Grant Program page.
NLC Resources
- Cities and Drones is a municipal guide that offers local officials a primer on unmanned aircraft, federal rules and how local governments might craft ordinances.
- Cities Prepare for Air Taxis and Drones with NLC’s New Aviation Forum discusses NLC’s establishment of a forum for local leaders on drone and advanced-air-mobility integration.
- How Cities Engage with Federal Officials on Drones provides insight into local-federal collaboration on drone regulation and public-safety challenges.
- Local Authority & Emerging Technology is a broader report by NLC that addresses drones along with other emerging tech and how cities can respond.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Resources
- Countering Unmanned Aircraft Systems Fact Sheet
- Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems Legal Authorities Fact Sheet
- Richmond Counter UAS Testbed Fact Sheet
- Safe Handling and Collection of Electronics (SHAKE) Fact Sheet
Department of Justice (DOJ) Resources
- Justice Department Issues Statement on the Administration’s Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) National Action Plan and Legislative Proposal
- Interagency Issues Advisory on Use of Technology to Detect and Mitigate Unmanned Aircraft Systems
- Advisory on the Application of Federal Laws to the Acquisition and Use of Technology to Detect and Mitigate Unmanned Aircraft Systems
- Opportunities and Challenges Posed by Unmanned Aircraft Systems to Public Safety and Achieving Law Enforcement and National Security Goals
- Drones: A Report on the Use of Drones by Public Safety Agencies – and a Wake-up Call about the Threat of Malicious Drone Attacks (PDF)
- Considerations and Recommendations for Implementing an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program (PDF)
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