The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has opened applications for the fiscal 2026 Port Security Grant Program, making $95 million available to help port authorities, facility operators and government agencies strengthen maritime security.

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on July 24. FEMA expects to announce funding selections by August 23 and issue awards by September 30. Individual awards are expected to range from $18,000 to $3.5 million.

The grant program supports projects that enhance terrorism prevention, response, recovery and mitigation based on port-area risk. Funding is intended to help implement Area Maritime Transportation Security Plans and facility security plans while supporting training for public safety personnel responsible for port security.

Eligible applicants include port authorities, facility operators, and state, local and territorial government agencies that are subject to an Area Maritime Security Plan. Facility operators may include terminal operators, ferry systems, harbor pilots and merchants exchanges, among other regulated entities.

For fiscal 2026, FEMA identified five national priority areas for grant funding: protecting soft targets and crowded places; supporting Homeland Security Task Forces and fusion centers; enhancing cybersecurity resilience; enhancing election security; and supporting border crisis response and enforcement. Projects aligned with one or more of those priorities will receive a 20% increase in their final review score.

The program also continues to support long-term security needs through planning, training, equipment and capital projects and exercises. Examples of eligible investments include physical security improvements, cybersecurity risk assessments, maritime domain awareness projects, response vessels, security cameras, access control systems and emergency response exercises.

Recipients generally must provide matching funds. Public-sector and nonprofit recipients are required to provide a 25% cash match, while private, for-profit recipients must provide a 50% cash match. Projects with a certified port-wide benefit require a 25% match, and projects totaling $25,000 or less are exempt from cost-share requirements.

The program has awarded approximately $3.47 billion through about 5,300 grants since its inception in 2001.

Applicants must submit proposals through FEMA GO and maintain active registrations with SAM.gov and Grants.gov before applying. FEMA noted that registration can take several weeks and encouraged applicants to begin the process early.