Homeland Security BioWatch Program

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through its BioWatch Program, offers a limited competition funding opportunity designed to support early detection and response capabilities for biological threats in select U.S. metropolitan areas. The BioWatch Program operates as a federally managed, locally executed system that continuously monitors for the presence of aerosolized biological agents. It is a critical component of the nation’s biodefense infrastructure, providing jurisdictions with the ability to detect potential bioterrorism events early and initiate timely public health and emergency response actions. The program currently operates in more than 30 metropolitan areas and relies on coordinated partnerships between federal, state, and local agencies. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to strengthen and sustain field operations that support biological threat detection. This includes maintaining air sampling systems, collecting and transporting environmental samples, and ensuring laboratory analysis readiness. The program emphasizes preparedness, operational continuity, and coordination among local stakeholders such as public health departments, emergency management agencies, and first responders. Funding is intended to support operational activities rather than research and development, which is explicitly prohibited. The broader goal is to reduce the impact of biological attacks by improving detection speed and response coordination. Funding under this opportunity is provided through cooperative agreements, indicating substantial federal involvement in program implementation. DHS actively collaborates with recipients by providing technical guidance, reviewing operational plans, and maintaining communication through systems such as the BioWatch Portal. Allowable costs include personnel, equipment maintenance, sample collection logistics, and training activities necessary to maintain continuous monitoring capabilities. Pre-award costs are not permitted, and all expenditures must comply with federal cost principles and regulations. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement associated with this funding opportunity. Eligibility is restricted to specific governmental entities located within designated BioWatch jurisdictions, including cities, counties, and regional authorities such as transit or port authorities. Applicants must demonstrate affiliation with public health, emergency response, or related sectors and must be capable of supporting continuous 24/7/365 operations. Additional requirements include personnel qualifications such as U.S. citizenship, background checks, and specialized training. In certain jurisdictions, eligibility is further limited to specific named agencies. Subawards are permitted, provided subrecipients meet the same eligibility criteria. The application process requires prior engagement with the BioWatch Program Office through a mandatory pre-application phase, including signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement. Applicants must submit standard federal forms such as SF-424 and SF-424A, along with a detailed program narrative and budget narrative. Applications are submitted via Grants.gov and must comply with all stated requirements to be considered. Evaluation criteria are communicated during the pre-application phase and include assessments of operational capability, experience, and compliance with program standards. The application window for this opportunity opens on April 16, 2026, and closes on April 30, 2026. Funding decisions and award notifications are anticipated immediately following the application deadline, with a projected award date of May 1, 2026. The period of performance is relatively short, running from May 1, 2026, through July 31, 2026. Applicants must be prepared to rapidly implement program activities upon award. For additional information or inquiries, applicants may contact the BioWatch Program Office via the listed program contact. Overall, this funding opportunity represents a targeted investment in maintaining and enhancing the nation’s biodefense capabilities at the local level. By supporting operational readiness and interagency coordination, the BioWatch Program aims to ensure that participating jurisdictions are equipped to detect and respond to biological threats effectively and efficiently.

Ensure operational readiness for 24/7 sampling; demonstrate jurisdictional coordination and technical capability; strictly follow pre-application requirements and documentation completeness; align proposal with BioWatch operational objectives