FEMA Opens Second $250 Million Round of Counter-Drone Grants to All States, Covering Security Preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has made $250 million available to states and territories through a new round of its Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program, empowering state and territorial governments to enhance their capabilities to detect, identify, track and monitor unlawful drones. "Unlawful drones are not a future threat. They are a real and growing danger to our communities, critical infrastructure, and major public events," FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton said in the agency's official release. "Through this grant program, FEMA is enabling states and territories to build the capabilities they need to detect, identify, track and monitor drone threats before they can cause harm."
The $500 million program was established under legislation signed into law by President Donald J. Trump in July 2025, which directed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide the funding to enhance state and local counter-drone capabilities. In the first round last year, FEMA awarded $250 million to the 11 states hosting FIFA World Cup matches and to the National Capital Region, which hosted events celebrating America's 250th anniversary. The remaining $250 million in the Fiscal Year 2027 round will be distributed to all 50 states, the five territories and the District of Columbia, including California and Los Angeles. According to FEMA's FY2027 program materials, the second round places additional emphasis on security preparations for the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Los Angeles, including the domestic torch relay.
The FY2027 funding opportunity, published on Grants.gov, is a noncompetitive grant program. State Administrative Agencies are the only eligible direct applicants; city and county law enforcement agencies, emergency management offices and airport and port authorities may receive funding as subrecipients through their state agency. The application period opened on October 16, 2026, and closes on November 16, 2026, with all applications submitted through FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO).
FEMA said criminals, terrorists and hostile foreign actors have intensified their use of unmanned aircraft systems in recent years to endanger the public and threaten critical infrastructure. The program aligns with the Executive Order on Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty, and federal counter-drone efforts are coordinated with the support of the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026, the FBI and DHS.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 位于华盛顿的联邦紧急事务管理署（FEMA）总部入口标识。照片：G. Edward Johnson 摄，CC BY 4.0，经维基共享资源／The entrance sign at the headquarters of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Washington. Photo: G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
