(TLP:CLEAR) FEMA Announces $1.5 Billion to Help Critical Infrastructure Entities and Local Communities Prevent Terrorism and Enhance their Security

Summary: This week, FEMA announced new funding opportunities across seven preparedness grant programs that critical infrastructure organizations can take advantage of to enhance their security and operational resilience. The application window is now open, and water and wastewater utilities are encouraged to work with their local community stakeholders and apply.

Throughout the seven preparedness grant programs, FEMA has made more than $1.5 billion available to protect communities across the country from terrorism and other threats, such as cyber attacks. Specifically, there is more than $1 billion available through FEMA’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP).

According to FEMA’s press release, this program enables state, territorial, Tribal Nation and local governments to build local capacity to prevent, protect against and respond to acts of terrorism. HSGP includes three separate grant programs: the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), and Operation Stonegarden. In addition to HSGP, FEMA also made more than $500 million available through six additional grant programs focused on preventing acts of terrorism: 

• FY 2026 Nonprofit Security Grant Program 
• FY 2026 Port Security Grant Program 
• FY 2026 Transit Security Grant Program 
• FY 2026 Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program
• FY 2026 Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program
• FY 2026 Intercity Bus Security Grant Program 

The application period for these funding opportunities opens June 24, 2026, and closes at 5 p.m. ET on July 24, 2026. 

Analyst Note: Although FEMA generally awards HSGP funds to states and designated urban areas rather than directly to most critical infrastructure organizations, water and wastewater utilities can still participate as partners, beneficiaries, or subrecipients through state, local, tribal, and territorial homeland security programs. Early engagement with your state’s homeland security office or local emergency management agency can improve your organization’s opportunity to receive grant funding.

Original Source: https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20260624/fema-announces-15-billion-empower-communities-prevent-terrorism-and-protect

Additional Reading:

• Federal Funding for Water and Wastewater Utilities in National Disasters (Fed FUNDS)

Related WaterISAC PIRs: 1 & 2