25 Homeland Security Grant Program
🏛 Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security
✓ Free, no account · Source: Illinois GATA Catalog (CSFA) · Last verified Oct 1, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for state and local government agencies, and designated urban areas in Illinois to strengthen preparedness and prevent terrorism. The grant has two components: the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) for statewide preparedness activities, and the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) for the Chicago/Cook County area. Eligible recipients must have a nexus to terrorism prevention, submit Investment Justifications evaluated through peer review, and cannot use funds for lobbying, litigation, or matching other federal grants. Federal employees cannot serve on proposals or receive funds under this award.
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Program description
The purpose of the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) is to support state and local efforts to prevent terrorism and other catastrophic events and to prepare the Nation for the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to the security of the United States. The FY 2025 HSGP provides funding to implement investments that build, sustain, and deliver the 32 core capabilities essential to achieving the National Preparedness Goal (the Goal) of a secure and resilient Nation. The building, sustainment, and delivery of these core capabilities are not exclusive to any single level of government, organization, or community, but rather, require the combined effort of the whole community, inclusive of children, individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs, diverse communities, and people with limited English proficiency. The FY 2025 HSGP supports the core capabilities across the five mission areas of Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery based on allowable costs. The HSGP supports the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review Mission to Strengthen National Preparedness and Resilience. HSGP is comprised of two grant programs specific to Illinois: State Homeland Security Program (SHSP): The SHSP assists state, tribal, territorial, and local preparedness activities that address high-priority preparedness gaps across all core capabilities where a nexus to terrorism exists. All supported investments are based on capability targets and gaps identified during the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) process, and assessed in the State Preparedness Report (SPR). Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI): The UASI Program assists high-threat, high-density Urban Areas in efforts to build, sustain, and deliver the capabilities necessary to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism. In Illinois, the defined Urban Area is Chicago to include the County of Cook. DHS grant funds may only be used for the purpose set forth in the grant, and must be consistent with the statutory authority for the award. Grant funds may not be used for matching funds for other Federal grants/cooperative agreements, lobbying, or intervention in Federal regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings. In addition, Federal funds may not be used to sue the Federal government or any other government entity. Pre-award costs are allowable only with the written consent of DHS and if they are included in the award agreement. For additional information on allowable activities, please refer to http://www.fema.gov/grants. Federal employees are prohibited from serving in any capacity (paid or unpaid) on any proposal submitted under this program. Federal employees may not receive funds under this award. There may be limitations on the use of HSGP and THSGP funds for the following categories of costs: Management and Administration, Planning, Organization, Equipment, Training, Exercises, Maintenance and Sustainment, Critical Emergency Supplies, Construction and Renovation. For additional details on restrictions on the use of funds, please refer to the FY 2015 HSGP and THSGP Notice of Funding Opportunity. Grantees may only fund investments that were included in the Investment Justifications (IJs) that were submitted to FEMA and evaluated through the peer review process. Funds Transfer Restriction: The recipient is prohibited from transferring funds between programs (includes SHSP, UASI, and OPSG). Recipients are allowed to submit an investment/project where funds come from multiple funding sources (i.e., SHSP/UASI); however, recipients are not allowed to divert funding from one program to another due to the risk-based funding allocations, which were made at the discretion of DHS/FEMA. Awards made to the State Administrative Agency (SSA-IEMA) for HSGP carry additional pass-through requirements. Pass through is defined as an obligation on the part of the SAA to make funds available to local units of government, combinations of local units, tribal governments, or other specific groups or organizations. The SAA’s pass through requirement must be met within 45 days of the award date. Four requirements must be met to pass through grant funds: There must be some action to establish a firm commitment on the part of the SAA; There must be documentary evidence (i.e., award document, terms and conditions) of the commitment; and the award terms must be communicated to the official recipient The SAA must obligate at least 80 percent (80%) of the funds awarded under SHSP and UASI to local or Tribal units of government within 45 days of receipt of the funds. Receipt of funds occurs when the recipient accepts the award or 15 days after the recipient is notified of the award, whichever comes first. The signatory authority of the SAA must certify in writing to DHS/FEMA that pass-through requirements have been met. A letter of intent (or equivalent) to distribute funds is not considered sufficient. The pass through requirement does not apply to SHSP awards made to the District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is required to comply with the pass-through requirement and its SAA must also obligate at least 80 percent (80%) of the funds to local units of government within 45 days of receipt of the funds. Any UASI funds retained by the SAA must be used to directly support the designated Urban Areas in the state. The SAA must propose an investment describing how such UASI funds it retains will be used to directly support the Urban Area. Under SHSP, the SAA may retain more than 20 percent (20%) of SHSP funding for expenditure made by the state on behalf of the local unit(s) of government. This may occur only with the written consent of the local unit of government, specifying the amount of funds to be retained and the intended use of funds. If a written consent agreement is already in place from previous fiscal years, DHS/FEMA will continue to recognize it for FY 2015. If modifications to the existing agreement are necessary, the SAA should contact their assigned Headquarters Program Analyst. Per section 2006 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended, (6 U.S.C. § 607), DHS/FEMA is required to ensure that at least 25 percent (25%) of grant funding appropriated for the Homeland Security Grant Program and Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program are used for law enforcement terrorism prevention activities. DHS/FEMA meets this requirement, in part, by requiring all SHSP and UASI recipients to ensure that at least 25 percent (25%) of the combined HSGP funds allocated under SHSP and UASI are dedicated towards law enforcement terrorism prevention activities, as defined in 6 U.S.C. § 607. The LETPA allocation can be from SHSP, UASI or both. This requirement does not include award funds from OPSG. The 25% LETPA allocation is in addition to the 80% pass through requirement to local units of government and Tribes. Federal Assistance Listing: 97.067. Administered by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 588-40-0455).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Investment Justifications (submitted separately to FEMA for peer review)
- Project narrative aligned with THIRA and State Preparedness Report
- Budget and budget justification
- Organizational capacity documentation
- Whole-of-community engagement plan
Program contact
- 👤 Robert Evans
- 📧 Bob.P.Evans@illinois.gov
- 📞 217.557.4788
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 97.067 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$258,170,319
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$258,160,920
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$248,110,100
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$244,828,284
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$219,962,116
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$202,198,718
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$197,870,529
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$192,392,457
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$182,068,773
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$177,288,754
Top States by Funding
- NY 6 awards $1,362.3M
- CA 5 awards $951.8M
- TX 4 awards $405.8M
- IL 3 awards $195.9M
- DC 4 awards $193.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who can apply for the FFY 25 HSGP in Illinois?
State and local government agencies, tribal and territorial entities, and the designated Chicago urban area can apply. The grant has two Illinois-specific components: SHSP for statewide activities and UASI for Cook County/Chicago.
What can grant funds be used for?
Funds support the five mission areas: Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery. Allowable uses include management, planning, equipment, training, exercises, and maintenance related to terrorism preparedness.
Are there restrictions on how funds can be used?
Yes. Funds cannot be used for lobbying, suing the government, matching other federal grants, or activities outside the submitted Investment Justifications. Funds cannot be transferred between SHSP and UASI programs.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is August 31, 2028. Check IEMA and FEMA websites for any updates or rolling submission windows closer to the date.
What makes a competitive application?
Strong applications clearly address identified capability gaps from THIRA assessments, align with the State Preparedness Report, include Investment Justifications approved through peer review, and demonstrate whole-of-community engagement.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Review the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) and State Preparedness Report to identify priority capability gaps your organization can address.
- Submit Investment Justifications early to FEMA for peer review evaluation before the final deadline.
- Ensure all proposed activities directly link to terrorism prevention or the five core mission areas.
- Document how your project engages the whole community, including people with disabilities, limited English proficiency, and diverse populations.
- Avoid budgeting for restricted categories like lobbying, litigation, or use as matching funds for other federal grants.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Submitting activities not included in pre-approved Investment Justifications. Proposing activities with no clear nexus to terrorism prevention or core capabilities. Using funds to match other federal grants or for prohibited activities like lobbying.
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