Florida Defense Support Commission Grant Program

The Florida Defense Support Commission Grant Program is administered by the Division of Economic Development within the Florida Department of Commerce, FloridaCommerce, for the Florida Defense Support Commission. The program operates under section 288.987(5)(b), Florida Statutes, which authorizes the Commission to establish grant programs supporting its military and defense mission. For the Project Year 2026-2027 solicitation, FloridaCommerce announced the prospective availability of funding, contingent on legislative appropriation, for local projects that benefit both Florida communities and military installations. The program is intended to preserve and protect military installations, assist Florida is for Veterans, Inc. with economic and workforce development in military communities, support planning and research and development for military missions, businesses, and military families, and improve Florida's military-friendly environment for servicemembers, military dependents, military retirees, and businesses that bring military and base-related jobs to the state. Anticipated total program funding is $2,000,000, while the maximum individual award is stated as to be determined. Multiple awards are anticipated, but the number of awards is not specified and will depend on available funding and the quality of applications. FloridaCommerce and the Commission may offer awards for less than the amount requested and may negotiate the proposed scope of work and funding before a final award. Agreements are generally contemplated on a cost-reimbursement basis. The stated grant award period is July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028, although individual agreement terms may be negotiated based on the proposed project timeline and may be less than 12 months. Grant funds may be used only for allowable project costs incurred during the agreement period and must comply with the State of Florida Reference Guide for State Expenditures, applicable Florida statutes, and other program fiscal requirements. Prohibited expenditures include equipment, furniture or fixtures; receptions, gifts, gift cards, awards, trophies or membership dues; lobbying any branch of state government; project administration above 10 percent of the grant award; costs incurred before or after the agreement period; noncompliant travel; business entertainment; participation by more than three key staff members or officers in specified trade shows, air shows, consultant events or congressional delegations; activities outside the continental United States; and on-base military construction. The Financial Summary also states that Commission funds cannot be used for staff salaries. The solicitation does not establish a mandatory matching percentage or dollar amount, although applicants are asked to identify leveraged or matching funds from federal, state, local, private or other sources. Eligible applicants must be economic development applicants serving in the official capacity of the governing board of a county, municipality, special district, state university or state agency. The applicant must have authority to maintain the project upon completion and must represent a community or county in which a military installation is located. An applicant is not eligible to receive funding if it has not spent more than 50 percent of a previous grant. Applicants must provide all documentation and submission materials required by the RFA. An applicant may serve as the prime grant recipient for only one application, although it may participate as a supporting partner in another community's proposal. Applications were released on June 8, 2026 and were required to be received by 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on July 8, 2026. Applications had to be submitted electronically to DefenseGrants@commerce.fl.gov, with the RFA number in the email subject line. The submission had to include one complete electronic copy of the signed original Grant Application, including all required attachments and documentation, compiled into a single file. Applications were limited to 40 single-sided pages using at least an 11-point font. Required application content included a signed cover letter, table of contents, applicant and organizational information, project title and funding request, responses addressing the Commission's mission criteria, leveraged or matching funding information, a project description with summary, objectives, deliverables, mission alignment and performance measures, prior FDSC award history, budget and financial information, a plan of action, signatures, Qualification Questions, and Certified Minority Business Enterprise documentation if applicable. Applicants asserting public-record exemptions were also required to provide properly segregated confidential material and a separate redacted copy. FloridaCommerce's review process consists of application preparation, a completeness check, evaluation and negotiation. Complete applications are reviewed by Florida Defense Support Commission members. Evaluation considerations include project applicability, clarity of scope and deliverables, value to both the community and military installation, alignment with the stated funding priorities, cost effectiveness and reasonableness relative to deliverables and tasks, local economic benefit, and estimated completion time. The Commission may request applicant presentations, and FloridaCommerce may negotiate scope and funding before award. The solicitation anticipated posting awards within 30 days after the application cycle closed. The program contact is Anthony Spivey, Program Administrator for Military and Defense Contracts and Grants, FloridaCommerce, at 850-717-8528 or DefenseGrants@commerce.fl.gov. The source does not state that this solicitation recurs automatically or provide an annual or other recurring deadline.

Clearly align the project with one or more FDSC funding priorities; present a clear scope and measurable deliverables; demonstrate value to both the local community and military installation; explain local economic benefit; tie requested costs directly to reasonable and necessary tasks; provide a realistic completion schedule; ensure all prescribed forms and signatures are complete; submit one complete electronic signed application in a single file by the stated deadline.