9/11 Memorial Act Grant

The U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, through the Office of Partnerships and Philanthropic Stewardship, has announced the Fiscal Year 2025 9/11 Memorial Act Grant Program under Funding Opportunity Number P25AS00350. This competitive program is authorized under the 9/11 Memorial Act (Public Law 115-413) to provide financial assistance for the operation, security, and maintenance of memorials dedicated to honoring the victims of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. The program is intended to ensure that covered memorials remain preserved and accessible, while continuing to honor the memory of those lost. The program provides funding for organizations that own and operate memorials located at the sites of the 9/11 attacks, referred to as covered memorials. To qualify, covered memorials must be established in the United States specifically to commemorate the events and victims of the 2001 attacks and must meet additional conditions, including providing free admission to active and retired military personnel, registered first responders to the 9/11 attacks, family members of victims, and offering free public admission hours at least once per week. The grant is restricted to nonprofit organizations that qualify under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and are tax-exempt under section 501(a), with a primary focus on the operations and preservation of a covered memorial. Applicants must demonstrate capacity and commitment across several areas. The National Park Service will evaluate proposals based on five merit criteria: project need, budget feasibility, operational impact, preservation and education benefits, and efforts to expand visitation, particularly for economically disadvantaged communities. Each of these elements carries equal weight in the review process, ensuring that awards are directed to applicants who can best demonstrate both stewardship and impact. Applicants are required to show how funds will be used for security and safety, preservation of grounds, educational outreach, and visitor access. Eligible entities must provide at least a one-to-one non-federal cost match. Contributions can be in the form of cash, durable goods, materials, or volunteer services, and must be documented in the budget narrative and associated forms. Funding is anticipated to range from a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $4,000,000, with one to three awards expected. The final award amounts will depend on available appropriations and the relative strength of applications. Recipients must comply with federal cost principles, conflict of interest disclosures, and reporting requirements, including financial and performance reporting. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov. Required documents include SF-424 forms, budget narratives, project narrative, project abstract summary, assurance forms, and disclosures of lobbying activities if applicable. Proposals are limited to 20 pages for the narrative and must clearly address each of the review criteria. Applicants should allow adequate time for SAM.gov registration and Grants.gov setup. Technical support is available through Grants.gov, and specific questions about this program can be directed to NPS contacts Ian Armstrong and Karissa DeCarlo. The opportunity opened on August 29, 2025, with a submission deadline of September 3, 2025, at noon Mountain Time. Awards are anticipated to be made by September 5, 2025, with funded projects expected to begin immediately and run through September 30, 2026. The program is recurring, offering funding annually based on appropriations. Notices of award will be transmitted electronically, and recipients must comply with federal reporting, integrity, and financial management standards throughout the grant term.