Fiscal Year 2026 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP)

The Homeland Security Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and represents one of the federal government’s primary mechanisms for strengthening national preparedness and resilience. Established to support state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, the program has invested tens of billions of dollars since its inception to enhance the nation’s ability to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other catastrophic threats. The program is structured into three interconnected components: the State Homeland Security Grant Program, the Urban Area Security Initiative, and Operation Stonegarden, each targeting different risk environments and operational needs across the country. The core purpose of the program is to build and sustain capabilities aligned with national preparedness goals, with a strong emphasis on risk-based planning and coordinated response systems. Funding supports a wide range of activities categorized under planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercises. These investments are intended to address identified capability gaps through processes such as the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment and the Stakeholder Preparedness Review. The program also prioritizes emerging threats, including cybersecurity risks, election infrastructure vulnerabilities, and the protection of soft targets and crowded places. Funding is substantial, with over one billion dollars allocated across the three program components. These funds are distributed to State Administrative Agencies, which are the only eligible direct applicants. These agencies are responsible for managing and distributing subawards to local governments, tribal entities, and other eligible organizations. While there is no cost share requirement, recipients must adhere to strict allocation rules, including minimum spending thresholds for national priority areas and requirements related to law enforcement terrorism prevention activities. Additionally, a portion of funding may be withheld until compliance with specific programmatic conditions, such as election security requirements, is verified. Eligibility is limited at the application level to State Administrative Agencies, although downstream beneficiaries include a wide array of public sector entities. Subrecipients may include city and county governments, tribal organizations, and other public safety entities that implement projects at the local level. Certain restrictions apply to funding use, including prohibitions on purchasing weapons and limitations on personnel costs. All projects must demonstrate a clear nexus to terrorism preparedness and align with federal guidance and statutory requirements. The application process requires entities to be registered in federal systems including SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and FEMA’s Grants Outcomes system. Applicants must submit a comprehensive application that includes standard federal forms as well as program-specific documentation such as investment justifications, detailed budgets, and governance charters. These materials must clearly demonstrate alignment with program priorities, funding requirements, and national preparedness goals. Applications are submitted electronically and must be completed by the established deadline, with no late submissions accepted. Applications are reviewed through a multi-phase process that includes both state-level and federal evaluation. Criteria include completeness, alignment with program priorities, feasibility, and effectiveness in addressing identified risks. Final funding decisions are made by the Secretary of Homeland Security based on a combination of risk assessments, programmatic compliance, and strategic considerations. Awards are typically announced by the end of the federal fiscal year, and recipients must accept awards within a specified timeframe to retain funding eligibility. The program operates on a defined timeline, with applications opening in late June and closing in late July. Awards are expected by the end of September, with a performance period extending approximately three years. Funds must be obligated and distributed in accordance with federal regulations, including requirements for pass-through funding to local entities. The program is offered annually, reflecting its role as a recurring and foundational component of national homeland security funding.

Ensure alignment with national priority areas and clearly demonstrate capability gaps and outcomes in investment justifications; meet required percentage allocations for NPAs and LETPA; submit complete and compliant documentation to avoid funding holds