The Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Grant Program (CUASGP) is administered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security's Office of Grants and Research (OGR). This federal grant program is funded through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and is part of a nationwide response to growing threats from the unlawful use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly known as drones. It aligns with Executive Order 14305 and guidance from the White House FIFA World Cup Task Force to bolster public safety through advanced drone detection and mitigation technologies.
OGR anticipates distributing at least $3.325 million in federal funds to Massachusetts state and local entities, with the potential for a significantly larger award based on demonstrated need. The primary goal of CUASGP is to equip eligible agencies with capabilities to detect, track, identify, and, where authorized, mitigate rogue or unlawful drone activity. A preference is given to projects that contribute to security efforts surrounding the Boston 2026 FIFA World Cup. Approximately 80% of funds are expected to be used for equipment and 20% for training initiatives under the POETE framework (Planning, Organization, Equipment, Training, Exercises).
Applicants must be Massachusetts state agencies, municipalities, or recognized tribal organizations. Eligible applicant types include public safety entities such as law enforcement, emergency management, fire services, EMS, and campus police departments. CUASGP supports the procurement of drone detection systems, broadcast beacon receivers, radio frequency technologies, and related mitigation tools, but only certain agencies with FBI-approved training may access mitigation capabilities. Unallowable costs include general-purpose equipment, routine vehicle maintenance, weapons, and unrelated personnel costs.
The application process requires submission of an Online Application, an Investment Justification form, a Sub-Grantee Risk Assessment Form, and, if applicable, fringe and indirect cost rate agreements. Applications are due by November 26, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. ET. OGR plans to announce awards by January 2026, and the grant performance period runs through August 31, 2026. Applications will be reviewed by a peer review panel and assessed using FEMA's scoring criteria, emphasizing technical soundness, capability enhancement, deployment feasibility, and event relevance. Final award decisions rest with DHS/FEMA.
The designated contact for inquiries is Sarah Malloy, Special Projects Manager at OGR, available via email at Sarah.A.Malloy@mass.gov. All application materials and guidance documents are available on OGR’s official CUAS Grant Program page. The program is recurring and expected to continue in future years, with a likely next cycle in Fall 2026. Interested applicants are advised to carefully review all application requirements, ensure legal compliance for technology use, and seek federal advisory support for system testing and deployment.
Emphasize World Cup relevance in proposals to gain preference. Provide detailed cost breakdowns. Ensure compliance with legal and training mandates for mitigation eligibility.
