Fiscal Year 2026 Port Security Grant Program
Provides grants to state, local, and private-sector maritime partners to improve port and maritime security capabilities at eligible seaports and terminals.
RESTRICTED TO: STATE LOCAL GOV · NONPROFITS
⚑ Focus is maritime/port security, not general transportation or citywide/business projects. · Allowable activities span planning, operations, equipment, training, and exercises (POETE). · Typical funded items include patrol vessels, communications/surveillance equipment, cybersecurity enhancements, plan development, and hiring new security personnel. · Eligibility text in the notice excerpt is incomplete; exact applicant classes should be verified in the full NOFO.
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 50 partial | technical depth: substantial; funds other (capped) |
| IPPRA | 45 partial | portfolio topics: national_security_defense, cybersecurity, emergency_disaster_resilience; social/behavioral work is minor; funds other — not a research fit |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 25 weak | prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
Description
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) is one of four grant programs that constitute DHS/FEMA’s focus on transportation infrastructure security activities. These grant programs are part of a comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress and implemented by the Administration to help strengthen the nation’s critical infrastructure against risks associated with potential terrorist attacks. PSGP provides funds to state, local, and private sector maritime partners to support increased port-wide risk management and protect critical surface transportation infrastructure from acts of terrorism, major disasters, and other emergencies. The PSGP supports critical national seaports/terminals to enhance port security through enhanced facility and operational security. PSGP allows for a broad range of projects to be funded as long as they are applicable to enhancing maritime security capabilities. The entire breadth of the POETE (planning, operational, equipment, training, and exercise) is allowable under PSGP. Typical types of projects include:
• Patrol vessels
• Communications equipment
• Surveillance equipment
• Cybersecurity enhancements
• Hiring NEW security personnel
• Plan development
• Maritime security training
• Maritime security exercises
Projects that are not primarily dedicated to the enhancement of maritime security capabilities (i.e., citywide projects, or business-related projects) are not eligible.
Apply
View on Grants.gov → CONTACT: Lanita Taylor Grantor <femago@fema.dhs.gov>
Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · Federal (generic) conventions SEE A FEDERAL EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — Federal (generic)'s document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.