Homeland Security Grant Program (State Homeland Security Program and Urban Area Security Initiative) (HSGP)
A large preparedness program funding planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercises to prevent and respond to terrorism and other hazards. Its two main pieces are the State Homeland Security Program, which reaches all states, and the Urban Area Security Initiative, which targets high-risk metro areas. Fire, EMS, law enforcement, and emergency management can all be funded through it.
Who it is for
State, local, tribal, and territorial agencies, including emergency responders. Only the State Administrative Agency can apply to FEMA. Local agencies receive funding as a sub-award.
Department types: Any department
An honest note on fit
Real money and broadly usable, but access depends entirely on your state's priorities and how it distributes the pass-through. UASI funds only reach departments in or near designated high-threat urban areas, so a rural department will look to SHSP, not UASI. Worth a direct conversation with your State Administrative Agency about what your state funds.
Before you start
How you apply: Apply through your state.
Only your state's State Administrative Agency applies to FEMA. By law the state must pass through at least 80 percent of SHSP and UASI funds to local and tribal governments, usually within 45 days. You apply to your state, not to FEMA.
Match required: No match is generally required for SHSP or UASI, though specific terms are set each year in the funding notice.
How to apply
- Identify your State Administrative Agency, often the state homeland security or emergency management office.
- Contact them about the local sub-award process and this year's investment priorities, since projects must map to the state's homeland security strategy.
- If you are in a designated high-risk urban area, find out whether you fall under a UASI Urban Area Working Group, which sets local project priorities.
- Confirm SAM.gov registration.
- Submit your project proposal to the state on their internal deadline, tied to a preparedness or response capability.
Deadline: Annual federal cycle, with your real deadline set by your state's internal sub-award process. Ask your State Administrative Agency. (Annual cycle)
Funding: The overall program was about $1.008 billion in the most recent cycle, with roughly $373.5 million for SHSP. SHSP reaches every state; UASI goes only to designated high-risk urban areas. Local sub-award amounts vary.
Verified as of 2026-05-31. Programs are checked periodically against their official source. Funding details and deadlines change. Confirm the current requirements on the official program page before you apply.