Fiscal Year 2026 National Urban Search and Rescue Response System

The Fiscal Year 2026 National Urban Search and Rescue Response System funding opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Office of Response and Recovery, Response Directorate, Operations Division. The program operates under Assistance Listing 97.025 and Funding Opportunity Number DHS-26-DOD-025-00-99. It uses a cooperative agreement because FEMA, through the Urban Search and Rescue Branch, maintains substantial involvement in project management, control, direction, and performance and may intervene in or modify project activities. The National Urban Search and Rescue Response System is a mission critical component of FEMA emergency response and readiness capabilities, providing a coordinated national all-hazards capability for locating, extricating, and stabilizing survivors affected by structural collapse and other natural or man-made hazards. The program provides federal funding to support the readiness of the 28 national Urban Search and Rescue task forces. Funding supports day-to-day administration, program and grant management, training, exercises, vehicle and equipment procurement, storage, and maintenance. The objective is to ensure that all 28 System resources develop and maintain targeted readiness independent of the ability of their Sponsoring Agencies to fund required activities. When deployed, the task forces provide federal support to state, local, and tribal territories following natural and man-made incidents, including mass search and rescue operations and activities supporting stabilization and restoration of community lifelines. FEMA will prioritize applications that contribute to multistate, regional, or national capabilities, including infrastructure or services involving data centers, nuclear power generation, multistate agriculture, multistate water supply, or similar capabilities, and applications must describe how their work addresses national-level risk aligned with Executive Order 14239. Expected total program funding is $55,593,824 for 28 anticipated awards. The official NOFO states an expected award range of $1,700,000 to $2,400,000. There is no cost share requirement. Allowable costs are governed by 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Subpart E and 44 C.F.R. Section 208.23. Federal funds may not be used to satisfy matching or cost sharing requirements for other federal grants or cooperative agreements, for prohibited lobbying activities, or for prosecuting claims against the federal government or another government entity. Management and administration costs are allowed, with proposed funding levels negotiated on a per-applicant basis. Indirect costs may be allowed for qualifying Sponsoring Agencies subject to the applicable indirect cost requirements. Pre-award costs require FEMA written approval and must otherwise be allowable. Applicable procurement, covered telecommunications equipment, covered foreign unmanned aircraft systems, environmental and historic preservation, and Buy America requirements also apply. Eligibility is restricted to the 28 FEMA-designated Urban Search and Rescue Task Force Sponsoring Agencies. Each eligible Task Force Sponsoring Agency may submit one application, for a maximum of 28 applications. Subapplicants and subawards are not allowed, and there is no cost share requirement. Applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier, Employer Identification Number, active SAM.gov registration, login.gov account, and FEMA GO registration. The organization must be added to FEMA GO and an Authorized Organizational Representative established. The complete application must be submitted through FEMA GO. An intergovernmental review may be required, and applicants must contact their state Single Point of Contact when applicable under Executive Order 12372. The application package incorporates the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance, Grants.gov Lobbying Form, SF-424A Budget Information for Non-Construction, SF-424B Standard Assurances for Non-Construction, and SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities. Program-specific submissions include the completed US&R Budget Narrative Workbook, FEMA Form 089-0-101, and a description of how the proposed work addresses national-level risk specified in Executive Order 14239. Applicants requesting pre-award costs must provide a written request on Sponsoring Agency letterhead with detailed information supporting the need. If vehicle purchases are included in the budget narrative, applicants must provide the vehicle specifications and a completed Vehicle Support Unit Purchase Replacement/Disposal Justification Form, FEMA Form 089-0-26. Applications are not competitively rated. FEMA first determines whether an applicant is one of the 28 designated Task Force Sponsoring Agencies, a binary eligibility criterion. A FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Branch staff member conducts the first review using expertise in program requirements, budget spend plans, and grant management, followed by review from the FEMA Grants Program Directorate by a Grant Specialist or Assistance Officer. FEMA also reviews financial integrity and risk considerations, including financial stability, management systems, federal award performance, audit findings, and the applicant's ability to implement applicable requirements. The projected application period is August 24, 2026 through August 31, 2026, with applications due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 31, 2026. The anticipated funding selection date is September 11, 2026, and the anticipated award date is September 25, 2026. The projected period of performance and single budget period run from September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2029. Award packages are issued electronically through FEMA GO and include an Award Letter, Summary Award Memo, Agreement Articles, and Obligating Document. Recipients must accept awards within 90 days of the award date. During the period of performance, recipients must submit Federal Financial Reports quarterly and Performance Reports semi-annually, with additional closeout requirements due within 120 days after the period of performance ends. Performance is evaluated annually through the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Annual Self-Evaluation and validated triennially through the Administrative Readiness Evaluation. The primary program contact is FEMA-USR-GRANTS@fema.dhs.gov. FEMA Grants News is available at fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov or 800-368-6498, and FEMA GO technical assistance is available at femago@fema.dhs.gov or 877-585-3242.

Clearly explain how proposed work addresses national-level risk aligned with EO 14239. Where applicable, demonstrate contributions to multistate, regional, or national capabilities such as data centers, nuclear power generation, multistate agriculture, multistate water supply, or similar infrastructure or services. Ensure the budget spend plan complies with US&R program requirements and include all conditional documentation for vehicle purchases or pre-award costs. Submit the complete application through FEMA GO by the stated deadline.