FY 2026 Defense Community Infrastructure Program
🏛 Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation
Can you apply?
This grant is for state and local governments, military installations, and community organizations seeking to improve infrastructure and quality of life in communities with significant military populations or adjacent to military installations. The program supports planning and capital projects that enhance economic development, transportation, housing, water systems, and emergency services in defense-impacted communities. Eligible applicants typically include city and county governments, nonprofit organizations, community development entities, and military community partnerships. Projects must demonstrate clear benefits to military-connected populations or enhance the military community's well-being and regional stability. Geographic scope covers communities nationwide with military nexus.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
This grant is for state and local governments, military installations, and community organizations seeking to improve infrastructure and quality of life in communities with significant military populations or adjacent to military installations. The program supports planning and capital projects that enhance economic development, transportation, housing, water systems, and emergency services in defense-impacted communities. Eligible applicants typically include city and county governments, nonprofit organizations, community development entities, and military community partnerships. Projects must demonstrate clear benefits to military-connected populations or enhance the military community's well-being and regional stability. Geographic scope covers communities nationwide with military nexus.
Program description
Program funding of $230 million is available and will expire if not obligated prior to the close of business on September 30, 2026. No award may exceed $20 million or be less than $250,000. Requests for funding that are more than $20 million or less than $250,000 will not be scored and will be removed from consideration. Per statute, $76.65 million is available for projects that enhance the readiness of a military department or mission assurance at a military installation, and $76.65 million is available for projects that enhance military family quality of life at a military installation. The remaining $76.7 million is available for the remaining top-ranked projects as rated by the Defense Community Infrastructure Program Review Panel.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for state and local governments, military installations, and community organizations seeking to improve infrastructure and quality of life in communities with significant military populations or adjacent to military installations. The program supports planning and capital projects that enhance economic development, transportation, housing, water systems, and emergency services in defense-impacted communities. Eligible applicants typically include city and county governments, nonprofit organizations, community development entities, and military community partnerships. Projects must demonstrate clear benefits to military-connected populations or enhance the military community's well-being and regional stability. Geographic scope covers communities nationwide with military nexus.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project narrative describing military community need, project scope, and anticipated benefits
- Detailed project budget and budget narrative
- Letters of support from military installation leadership and local government officials
- Evidence of local financial commitment or matching funds
- Environmental assessment or NEPA compliance documentation
- Site plans, engineering designs, or feasibility studies (for capital projects)
- Organizational capacity documentation (staffing, experience, past performance)
- Timeline for project implementation and completion
Program contact
- 👤 Karen E Bass-McFadden Grantor
- 📧 jennifer.l.hirsch3.civ@mail.mil
- 📞 7036972161
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 12.027 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$20,000,000
-
$14,000,000
-
$13,092,670
-
$13,043,436
-
$12,700,000
-
$11,600,000
-
$11,543,471
-
$10,710,000
-
$10,308,877
-
$10,000,000
Top States by Funding
- AK 3 awards $29.7M
- WA 2 awards $27.1M
- TX 2 awards $23.0M
- CA 3 awards $21.4M
- ND 1 awards $11.6M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 12.027). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $99,668,808 | |
| 2025 | $89,617,812 | |
| 2026 est. | $100,000,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for the Defense Community Infrastructure Program?
State and local governments, military installation commanders, nonprofit organizations, and community development entities serving defense-impacted communities are typically eligible. Applicants must demonstrate the project's relevance to military communities or installations.
What is the application deadline and how much advance notice is there?
The deadline is June 25, 2026, with applications opening April 17, 2026, providing approximately 10 weeks to prepare and submit. Plan ahead as this is a fixed deadline with no extensions.
What types of projects are supported?
Funding supports infrastructure improvements including transportation, water systems, housing, economic development, emergency services, and community facilities that benefit military-connected populations or enhance military community resilience.
How competitive is this program?
Defense community grants are moderately competitive. Successful applications demonstrate clear military community benefit, strong local partnerships, sustainable funding plans, and alignment with regional economic development goals.
What is the typical funding range?
Individual project awards vary based on scope and local need, though specific amounts should be confirmed in the full notice of funding opportunity.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Establish a strong military community partnership early: Include letters of support from military installation commanders, base commanders, or official military liaison officers to demonstrate institutional buy-in for your project.
- Focus on measurable military community benefits: Clearly quantify how the project will improve quality of life, economic opportunity, or resilience for service members, veterans, military families, or defense industry workers in your area.
- Develop a robust sustainability plan: Explain how the project will be maintained long-term after federal funding ends, including identified local funding sources and governance structures for ongoing operation.
- Connect to regional defense priorities: Research your region's military community challenges (housing shortages, congestion near bases, inadequate services) and position your project as a solution to documented needs.
- Start documentation early: Gather environmental assessments, community surveys, site plans, and local government resolutions well before the April 17 opening, as these strengthen competitiveness.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail because they lack clear documentation of military community need and benefit—reviewers need specific data on how the project addresses defense-impacted populations. A second common pitfall is underestimating the importance of local commitment; weak letters of support or unclear municipal/installation partnerships signal low project priority and reduce funding likelihood. Finally, many applicants propose excellent infrastructure but fail to articulate a credible long-term sustainability and maintenance plan, raising concerns about stewardship of federal funds.
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