FY26 US DOT Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grants (DIIG) Program

The Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grants Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Office of the Under Secretary for Policy. The program is authorized under federal legislation and is designed to advance the adoption of small unmanned aircraft systems, commonly referred to as drones, within the inspection and management of critical infrastructure. The initiative reflects a broader federal priority to modernize infrastructure oversight while improving worker safety and operational efficiency across transportation and related sectors. The primary purpose of the program is to support government entities in integrating drone technologies into infrastructure inspection, operation, construction, maintenance, and repair activities. By promoting the use of advanced aerial systems, the program seeks to reduce risks to human inspectors, enhance data collection capabilities, and streamline inspection workflows. The program also emphasizes the importance of innovation, encouraging applicants to propose solutions that incorporate emerging technologies, improve interoperability of inspection data platforms, and address challenges associated with multi jurisdictional coordination. Funding under this program may be used for a variety of activities directly tied to drone deployment and operationalization. Eligible uses include the purchase or leasing of drone equipment, enhancement of existing unmanned aircraft systems, contracting for specialized services when internal expertise is insufficient, and supporting program management and operational oversight. The funding is intended to enable recipients to build sustainable drone inspection capabilities that can be integrated into long term infrastructure management strategies. The program operates on a cost sharing basis. The federal share of total project costs is generally limited to fifty percent, meaning recipients must provide a non federal match. However, applicants may request an increased federal share of up to seventy five percent by submitting a written justification as part of their application. Such requests must demonstrate a clear need for additional federal support, such as economic hardship, workforce limitations, or other conditions that would otherwise hinder full participation in the program. Eligibility for the program is restricted to governmental entities. This includes states, territories, the District of Columbia, local governments, tribal governments, metropolitan planning organizations, and consortia composed of eligible public entities. Non governmental organizations such as private companies, nonprofits, and academic institutions are not eligible to apply independently but may participate as contractors or partners supporting an eligible applicant. This structure ensures that public sector entities remain the primary recipients while still allowing access to private sector expertise. Applications will be evaluated competitively, with priority given to projects that demonstrate innovation, address safety risks, and support diverse communities. The Department of Transportation also places emphasis on projects that enhance efficiency in infrastructure inspection processes and improve data management systems. While specific application submission steps and deadlines have not yet been announced, the opportunity is currently in a forecast stage, indicating that additional details will be released in a forthcoming formal notice. The total program funding for this cycle is nine million dollars, with an anticipated five awards. Individual award amounts may range from five hundred thousand dollars up to the full program total, depending on the scope and scale of proposed projects. Although specific timelines for application submission, award announcements, and project start dates have not been published, interested applicants are encouraged to monitor official federal grant platforms for updates. A designated program contact is available by phone to provide further information and guidance as the opportunity progresses toward release.

Focus on proposing innovative drone technologies, demonstrating safety improvements, and addressing data interoperability and workflow efficiency