Fiscal Year 2026 Port Security Grant Program
🏛 Department of Homeland Security - FEMA (DHS-DHS)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for state, local, and private sector maritime organizations seeking to enhance port and terminal security. Applicants must support critical national seaports or terminals and focus on infrastructure protection against terrorism, disasters, and emergencies. Eligible activities include facility and operational security improvements across planning, operational capabilities, equipment, training, and exercises. Projects must be primarily dedicated to maritime security enhancement—citywide or business-related projects are ineligible.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program 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.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Detailed project narrative and security risk assessment
- Budget and budget narrative with cost justifications
- Evidence of cost sharing commitment
- Proof of eligible applicant status and port authority authorization
- Letters of support from relevant agencies (e.g., Coast Guard, law enforcement)
Program contact
- 👤 Lanita Taylor Grantor
- 📧 femago@fema.dhs.gov
- 📞 2027061418
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 97.056 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$11,523,856
-
$6,560,903
-
$4,765,394
-
$4,148,346
-
$3,981,425
-
$3,945,831
-
$3,788,250
-
$3,722,512
-
$3,462,192
-
$3,172,175
Top States by Funding
- NY 16 awards $49.8M
- CA 23 awards $45.2M
- TX 25 awards $44.5M
- FL 9 awards $11.4M
- LA 6 awards $9.3M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 97.056). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2018 | $100,000,000 | |
| 2019 | $100,000,000 | |
| 2020 | $100,000,000 | |
| 2021 | $100,000,000 | |
| 2022 | $100,000,000 | |
| 2023 est. | $1,000,000,000 | |
| 2024 est. | $100,000,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for the PSGP?
State and local government agencies, port authorities, and private sector maritime partners managing critical seaports and terminals are eligible. Your organization must be involved in port operations or security.
What types of projects does PSGP fund?
Eligible projects include patrol vessels, communications and surveillance equipment, cybersecurity upgrades, new security personnel hiring, security planning, maritime training, and security exercises. Projects must directly enhance maritime security capabilities.
Is there a cost-sharing requirement?
Yes, this program requires cost sharing. You must contribute a portion of project costs to be eligible.
What is the typical award size?
The FY 2026 program has $95 million in total funding. Individual award amounts vary based on project scope and competitive merit review.
What makes an application competitive?
Strong applications demonstrate clear security risks, detailed implementation plans, qualified personnel, and alignment with national port security priorities. Community support and local partnerships strengthen competitiveness.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly link your project to specific maritime security risks and threats your port faces. Generic security improvements are less competitive.
- Include detailed budgets for equipment and personnel. FEMA scrutinizes cost justifications for procurement requests.
- Demonstrate existing security gaps or vulnerabilities through risk assessments or vulnerability studies in your application.
- Engage local law enforcement, Coast Guard, and port tenants early. Partnerships and letters of support strengthen your proposal significantly.
- Focus on measurable security outcomes and compliance with national port security standards and protocols.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Submitting citywide or general infrastructure projects that don't focus specifically on maritime security. Unclear or unsupported cost estimates and insufficient documentation of security gaps. Failing to demonstrate adequate cost sharing or local capacity to sustain improvements after funding ends.
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