Fiscal Year 2026 Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program is the Fastest Non-Disaster Award Ever Executed by FEMA
On December 30, 2025, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $250 million to the 11 states hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 matches and to the National Capital Region through the new Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program. Recipients, state administrative agencies and their sub awardees, can use this money to strengthen their ability to detect, identify, track, or mitigate unmanned aircraft systems, also known as drones. This program aligns with the Trump-Vance Administration’s initiative to protect the public from hostile drones during mass gathering events, as outlined in the Executive Order on Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty.
In recent years, criminals, terrorists, and hostile foreign actors have intensified their use of this technology. With this C-UAS Grant Program award—along with the new authorities granted in the SAFER SKIES Act—state and local law enforcement agencies, fire services, emergency medical services, emergency management, and other qualifying public safety organizations now have the tools they need to keep their communities safe. This is especially critical as officials across the country prepare for the United States to host the FIFA World Cup, which is expected to be the largest sporting event in world history.
The C-UAS Grant Program was established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 and signed into law by President Trump in July 2025. Through this program, DHS is providing $500 million in federal funding over two years to enhance state and local capabilities to combat unmanned aircraft systems. This announcement is for the first $250 million, awarded to the 11 states hosting FIFA World Cup 2026, as well as to the National Capital Region which is hosting America 250 national events. In Fiscal Year 2027, the remaining $250 million will be distributed to all U.S. states and territories with an expanded focus on building drone detection and response capacity nationwide. This design demonstrates that the Trump Administration is working to keep Americans secure as they attend historic events across the nation while also building stronger, longer-term protections against drone threats.
This announcement comes after a critical evaluation of all FEMA grant programs and recipients. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem’s leadership, FEMA has become a responsible steward of taxpayers’ dollars. The agency instituted sweeping reforms to its grant programs, eliminating egregious waste, fraud, and abuse that has been happening for decades. Its grant programs are now carefully crafted to ensure that that taxpayer money is spent responsibly on projects that deliver real safety and security for all Americans.
For more information on the Fiscal Year 2026 C-UAS Grant Program, please go to the link: Notice of Funding Opportunity
January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month: a time for everyone to come together to raise awareness of human trafficking and learn how to help combat it.
January 11 marks National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, also known as #WearBlueDay. On this day, the DHS Blue Campaign invites you to:
- Wear blue, the international color of human trafficking awareness, to state your commitment to help save lives. Need inspiration? See how others have participated in previous years.
- Post a photo of yourself, or with others, on social media using the hashtag #WearBlueDay. You can also download ready-to-use #WearBlueDay graphics and captions to post on your social channels to spread the word.
- Empower others in your community to do the same.
The campaign will also host two public Human Trafficking 101 webinars — one in English and one in Spanish— on January 28 and 29 respectively. Register to attend and invite others to learn how to recognize and report suspected human trafficking cases.
Play a role to help end human trafficking.
Follow @DHSBlueCampaign on X, Facebook and Instagram, and visit Blue Campaign.gov for more information about #WearBlueDay, upcoming events, and other anti-human trafficking efforts in January and throughout the year.
The DHS Center for Faith has worked alongside the faith community and social service organizations, law enforcement and other partners to help address the needs of people who are traumatized by human trafficking. The center supported the development of Blue Campaign resources, the Human Trafficking Response Guide for Faith-Based Community Leaders (also in Spanish) and other resources, trainings and videos.
Beginning January 26, all Grants Portal users must access their accounts through Login.gov. to obtain access. Users must use their Login.gov credentials with the same email address associated with their Grants Portal account. This change will provide a more streamlined and secure login process, ensuring compliance with federal standards and improving the overall user experience.
FEMA is hosting a one-hour webinar to help you learn more about how to transition to Login.gov. The webinar will also be recorded and posted to FEMA’s Public Assistance YouTube Channel. Advanced registration is not required.
Webinar Details:
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When: January 13, at 1 p.m. ET
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Where: Zoom
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Meeting ID: 161 698 6350
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Passcode: GP
For questions or more information on the transition to Login.gov, please reach out to FEMA's Public Assistance Hotline at 866-337-8448 or email FEMA-Recovery-PA-Grants@fema.dhs.gov.
FEMA recently released a comprehensive, first-of-its-kind national assessment of the risk from earthquake-generated tsunamis.
This landmark study estimates that tsunamis caused by earthquakes could cause an average of over $1 billion in damage per year, highlighting a significant threat to coastal communities. As part of FEMA’s efforts to support states in empowering communities to prepare for and respond to disasters, the assessment provides critical data and insights to help local officials better understand and manage tsunami risk.
The study – FEMA P-2426: Estimated Average Annualized Tsunami Losses for the United States – highlights the significant tsunami risks faced by coastal communities in U.S. states and territories, including potential losses of life. States and territories studied include California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaiʻi, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
FEMA and its partners used the most scientifically defensible data and methods for this study, including data from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Structure Inventory, state and territory hazard data and advanced building modeling.
Emergency managers in coastal communities can use this study to make informed decisions for their communities. By analyzing their tsunami risks, they can reduce building risks and create evacuation strategies to save lives.
To support coastal communities, FEMA also developed these user-friendly tools:
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Tsunami Loss Viewer: This map-based tool lets users explore tsunami results, including annualized loss results at the census tract and county levels. Communities can use this to visualize their risk, identify vulnerable areas and inform local planning. Users can also download the data directly.
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Updates to the Hazus Loss Library: The Hazus Loss Library now includes data that encompass over 100 new tsunami scenarios and analyses. This equips local planners and emergency managers with detailed data to integrate into their own analyses, supporting local mitigation planning and a deeper understanding of potential building losses.
This study marks a milestone in understanding the nation’s tsunami risk, developed through extensive collaboration with state, territorial and federal partners like the U.S. Geological Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program. By using improved data and methods, it offers a more accurate and actionable picture of tsunami risk for local decision-makers and emergency managers.
While this initial analysis provides a crucial baseline, FEMA will continue to refine its understanding of tsunami risk as more data becomes available in other states and regions, further enhancing local capabilities.
For more information on how to use this study and its tools to benefit your community, visit FEMA.gov.
FEMA announced on December 20, 2025, that federal disaster assistance was available to Montana to supplement response efforts following severe storms and flooding that began on December 10, 2025, and are ongoing.
The President’s action authorized FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population and to provide appropriate assistance to save lives, to protect property, public health and safety and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in Lincoln and Sanders counties and the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.
Unlike a major declaration, an emergency declaration authorizes limited immediate and short-term assistance that is essential to save lives and eliminate or reduce immediate threats of significant additional damage in the affected area in a cost-effective manner.
Specifically, FEMA was authorized to identify, mobilize and provide, at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program, is provided at 75% federal funding.
For more information, visit FEMA.gov.
FEMA announced on December 22, 2025, that federal disaster assistance is available to Kansas to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding from July 17-22, 2025.
Public Assistance federal funding is available to the state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding in Barton, Comanche, Edwards, Hodgeman, Logan, Morris, Ottawa, Rawlins, Saline, Stevens, Sumner and Wyandotte counties.
For more information, visit FEMA.gov.
Following historic storms and flooding across the state of Washington, local, state and tribal agencies coordinated with FEMA and federal partners to safeguard lives and property.
Read the blog to learn about the deployment of specialized personnel and equipment, the activation of emergency operations centers and FEMA's efforts to support local authorities in lifesaving and life-sustaining missions. The blog also highlights ongoing federal support, preliminary damage assessments and recovery operations designed to address the needs of Washington state residents and tribal nations.
Deadline to Apply for FEMA Assistance Extended to Feb. 20 for Alaska Individuals Affected by October 2025 Severe Storms
The State of Alaska and FEMA have extended the application deadlines for Individual Assistance to February 20 for Alaskans impacted by severe storms, flooding and remnants of Typhoon Halong from Oct. 8-13, 2025.
Survivors are encouraged to register for both state and FEMA Individual Assistance programs to maximize their recovery benefits.
The fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov or the Spanish language site DisasterAssistance.gov/es.
If you need more information or additional help:
- Download the FEMA App.
- Call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 for assistance in multiple languages. If you use a relay service—such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others—provide FEMA the number for that service.
- Find in-person FEMA support at fema.gov/drc.
To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit What to Expect Before Applying for FEMA Assistance.
For more information, visit FEMA.gov.
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