Fiscal Year 2026 BioWatch Grant Program

The BioWatch Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, specifically within the Office of Resilience. The program supports a nationally coordinated biodetection system designed to identify aerosolized biological threats through continuous air monitoring. This system operates across more than 30 metropolitan areas and plays a critical role in national biodefense strategy by enabling early detection of biological attacks, supporting rapid public health response, and reducing potential loss of life. The program is federally managed but locally operated, relying on state, local, and tribal partners to execute field and laboratory operations. The primary purpose of the program is to fund operational activities that sustain and enhance biodetection capabilities. This includes maintaining air sampling units, collecting and transporting filters daily to laboratories, and conducting laboratory analysis in select jurisdictions. Funding may also support personnel hiring and training, equipment procurement such as vehicles and sampling units, operational space, and participation in preparedness exercises. The program explicitly prohibits research and development activities, focusing instead on operational readiness and execution. Eligible applicants include a broad set of public sector entities such as state, county, city, and township governments, regional governmental organizations, federally recognized tribal governments, and public institutions of higher education. Additional eligibility extends to agencies involved in law enforcement, emergency management, and air monitoring that are part of local government structures. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to maintain continuous operations, including 24/7 sample collection and analysis, and comply with security and personnel requirements, including background checks and nondisclosure agreements. The application process requires prior engagement through a pre application step. Interested applicants must contact the BioWatch Program Office and complete a nondisclosure agreement before receiving detailed scope of work information. Applications are submitted through the FEMA Grants Outcomes system and must include standard federal forms such as SF 424 and SF 424A, along with a program narrative and budget narrative. The process also requires active registrations in SAM.gov and Grants.gov, which may take several weeks to complete. Applications are evaluated through a structured review process that first assesses eligibility and operational capability. Qualified applications are then scored based on experience with BioWatch or similar operations, technical approach, staffing and training plans, logistical readiness, and administrative capacity. Federal reviewers conduct merit based evaluations, and final selections are approved by FEMA leadership with consideration for geographic and policy factors. The timeline for this funding opportunity is compressed, with the application period opening on July 15, 2026 and closing on July 30, 2026. A pre application contact deadline occurs on July 27, 2026. Funding decisions are anticipated by July 31, 2026, with awards issued by August 1, 2026. The initial budget period spans one year, but the overall period of performance extends five years, contingent on funding availability and performance. The program does not require cost sharing, making it fully federally funded. For inquiries, applicants may contact the BioWatch Program Office directly via email.

Emphasize operational readiness prior BioWatch or air monitoring experience and ability to execute 24 7 operations