Fiscal Year 2026 Next Generation Warning System Grant Program | Apply Online

Fiscal Year 2026 Next Generation Warning System Grant Program (FEMA) - FAQs

What is the Fiscal Year 2026 Next Generation Warning System Grant Program?

The Fiscal Year 2026 Next Generation Warning System Grant Program is a FEMA discretionary funding opportunity intended to help modernize public alerting and warning. It supports projects that (1) identify gaps in current alert and warning capabilities and (2) implement practical solutions to improve how quickly and reliably warnings reach the public, including improvements to reach, security, and overall resilience.

Who is offering this grant opportunity?

This opportunity is issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

What are the identifying numbers for this opportunity?

The Funding Opportunity Number is DHS 26 IPAWS 138 00 01, and the CFDA number is 97.138.

What type of award will FEMA make under this program?

Awards will be made as cooperative agreements. This generally indicates FEMA expects an ongoing working relationship with recipients during the project period, including coordination, technical engagement, and alignment with federal alerting and warning priorities.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are limited to state governments and federally recognized Native American tribal governments.

Are local governments, counties, cities, nonprofits, universities, or private companies eligible to apply directly?

Only state governments and federally recognized tribal governments are listed as eligible applicants in the provided information. No other applicant types are identified as eligible to apply directly.

What is the main goal of the program?

The core goal is to modernize end-to-end alerting and warning by identifying real capability gaps and then implementing solutions that improve the speed, reach, reliability, and security of public warnings. The program emphasizes modernization that can keep pace with changing technology and how the public consumes information.

What kinds of projects are expected to be supported?

Projects are expected to strengthen alert and warning across both existing and emerging distribution pathways. The program is aimed at improvements across the full workflow, including identifying where systems fall short, modernizing how messages are created and managed, increasing delivery reliability, and expanding the ability to reach people through the channels they actually use.

What technologies or warning channels does FEMA mention as relevant?

FEMA explicitly points to a broad range of channels and technologies that may be relevant, including streaming services, traditional sirens and giant-voice systems, satellites, internet-connected devices, and other solutions that support crafting and disseminating emergency alerts and warnings.

Does the grant focus only on sending alerts, or also on improving the alerting system end-to-end?

It is not limited to pushing messages out. The emphasis is on end-to-end modernization, including identifying gaps, improving message creation and management, strengthening delivery reliability, and ensuring warnings reach people through modern and evolving communications pathways.

Why does the program emphasize "next generation" warning capabilities?

The opportunity is framed around rapid change in warning technology, escalating cybersecurity risks, and shifts in public behavior, including increased reliance on newer information channels such as connected devices and streaming platforms. FEMA signals interest in approaches that are flexible, innovative, and built to evolve rather than being locked into a single legacy pathway.

How does cybersecurity relate to this funding opportunity?

Cybersecurity threats are highlighted as a major concern, which implies projects should treat security and resilience as core requirements. The program is focused on making warning capabilities dependable and resilient, including in environments where parts of the communications ecosystem may be disrupted or targeted.

How many awards does FEMA expect to make?

The opportunity anticipates making about 10 awards.

What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is $10,000,000 per award.

Is the total funding amount for the program listed?

The provided information does not list a total program funding amount. It does indicate the expected number of awards and the per-award ceiling, suggesting FEMA is aiming for a smaller number of substantial projects rather than many small pilots.

When is the application due?

Applications are due by August 7, 2026 (original closing date).

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on July 17, 2026.

What activity category does this program fall under?

The program falls under the Disaster Prevention and Relief activity category, emphasizing reducing harm by improving warning delivery before and during incidents, and supporting protection of critical infrastructure through more dependable and resilient communications.

What does it mean that this is a discretionary FEMA funding opportunity?

It is described as a FEMA discretionary funding opportunity, meaning it is not an entitlement program and awards are made competitively at FEMA's discretion based on the goals and priorities described in the opportunity.

What does FEMA mean by working collaboratively with the agency?

Because the awards are cooperative agreements, FEMA expects recipients to coordinate and engage with FEMA during the project period. The opportunity specifically notes collaboration to explore options that are flexible and innovative and align with federal alerting and warning priorities.

What kinds of outcomes is FEMA trying to achieve for the public?

The program is focused on helping public safety and emergency management partners deliver warnings that are timely, trustworthy, resilient against technical failures and cyber risks, and able to reach more people through more channels.