Opportunity Information: Apply for DHS 25 NPD 146 00 99

The Alliance for System Safety of Unmanned Aircraft Systems through Research Excellence (ASSURE) grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: DHS 25 NPD 146 00 99) is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) education-focused award designed to strengthen how emergency management and first responder communities use Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in real-world disaster contexts. The core idea behind the opportunity is that drones are already proving useful across the disaster lifecycle, but the benefits depend heavily on whether jurisdictions have people who are trained, competent, and ready to deploy UAS safely and effectively under stressful, time-critical conditions. FEMA is therefore supporting the development and delivery of training and curriculum that builds the specific competencies needed to use UAS before, during, and after disasters.

The opportunity frames UAS as practical tools that can directly support mission outcomes such as preliminary damage assessments, debris measurement and calculation, collecting visual evidence, performing confirmation analysis, establishing flood levels and documenting structural damages, supporting search and rescue operations, and assisting with logistics and package delivery. In other words, the funding is tied to operational value: using UAS to improve situational awareness, speed decision-making, and make field operations more effective during emergencies. As more state, local, tribal, and territorial jurisdictions build UAS programs and integrate drones into standard emergency management workflows, the grant emphasizes that training becomes a critical enabling factor, not an optional add-on.

From a funding and administrative standpoint, this is a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant) categorized under education (Funding Activity Category: Education) and associated with CFDA number 97.146. The opportunity is listed under the “Other” opportunity category and indicates that “Others” are eligible applicants, which often suggests a targeted or specialized applicant pool rather than a broad open competition. The posting also references Mississippi State University in its capacity as the Federal Aviation Administration’s Air Transportation Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, which signals that the effort may be closely aligned with established UAS safety, standards, and research expertise connected to the FAA ecosystem and the ASSURE consortium.

The award structure is relatively concentrated. FEMA anticipates making one award (Expected Awards: 1) with an award ceiling of $1,800,000. This implies FEMA is likely seeking a single lead entity capable of delivering a coherent curriculum development and training delivery effort at scale, rather than distributing smaller awards across many organizations. The opportunity was created on 2025-08-01, and the original application closing date is 2025-08-15, leaving a short submission window that typically requires applicants to have strong existing capabilities, partnerships, and ready-to-execute plans.

Applications must be submitted through FEMA’s Grants Outcomes (GO) system at https://go.fema.gov/. Practically, this means applicants should be prepared to navigate FEMA’s standard online grants process and comply with any system, registration, and submission requirements that come with GO. Overall, the grant is best understood as FEMA investing in standardized, competency-based UAS training that can translate drone technology into repeatable emergency management performance, helping responders and emergency managers use UAS tools safely, legally, and effectively across preparedness, response, and recovery operations.

  • The Department of Homeland Security - FEMA in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Alliance for System Safety of Unmanned Aircraft Systems through Research Excellence (ASSURE)" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 97.146.
  • This funding opportunity was created on 2025-08-01.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-08-15. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,800,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others.
Apply for DHS 25 NPD 146 00 99

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): ASSURE UAS Training and Curriculum Grant (DHS 25 NPD 146 00 99)

What is this grant opportunity?

This is the Alliance for System Safety of Unmanned Aircraft Systems through Research Excellence (ASSURE) grant opportunity, Funding Opportunity Number DHS 25 NPD 146 00 99. It is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) education-focused grant intended to strengthen how emergency management and first responder communities use Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in real-world disaster contexts.

What is the main goal of the award?

The main goal is to support the development and delivery of training and curriculum that builds the specific competencies needed to use UAS safely and effectively before, during, and after disasters. The opportunity emphasizes that drones can deliver operational benefits only if jurisdictions have trained, competent personnel who are ready to deploy under stressful, time-critical conditions.

Which federal agency is offering and administering this funding?

The opportunity is offered by DHS and administered through FEMA.

What is the funding instrument type?

The funding instrument type is a grant.

What is the funding activity category?

The funding activity category is Education, reflecting that the award is focused on curriculum and training rather than procurement or general operations.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 97.146.

What kinds of UAS uses in disasters does FEMA highlight?

The opportunity frames UAS as practical tools that can support mission outcomes across the disaster lifecycle, including preliminary damage assessments, debris measurement and calculation, collecting visual evidence, performing confirmation analysis, establishing flood levels and documenting structural damages, supporting search and rescue operations, and assisting with logistics and package delivery.

How does this grant connect UAS use to emergency management performance?

The funding is tied to operational value: using UAS to improve situational awareness, speed decision-making, and make field operations more effective during emergencies. The focus is on competency-based training that helps make UAS use repeatable and reliable in preparedness, response, and recovery operations.

Is this grant about buying drones or building training?

Based on the description provided, the core emphasis is on developing and delivering training and curriculum that builds UAS competencies for emergency management and first responders. The opportunity is presented as education-focused and centered on workforce readiness and safe, effective deployment.

Who is eligible to apply?

The eligibility category is listed as "Others are eligible applicants." This often indicates a targeted or specialized applicant pool rather than a broad open competition, but the specific definition of "Others" is not detailed in the information provided.

How many awards does FEMA expect to make?

FEMA anticipates making one award (Expected Awards: 1).

What is the maximum funding amount available?

The award ceiling is $1,800,000.

What does it mean that FEMA expects only one award?

With a single expected award and a relatively large ceiling, the opportunity suggests FEMA may be looking for one lead entity capable of delivering a coherent curriculum development and training delivery effort at scale, rather than distributing smaller awards to multiple organizations.

When was this funding opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on 2025-08-01.

What is the application deadline?

The original application closing date is 2025-08-15.

How much time is there to apply?

Based on the creation date (2025-08-01) and the original closing date (2025-08-15), the submission window is short. This typically favors applicants with existing capabilities, partnerships, and ready-to-execute plans.

Where must applications be submitted?

Applications must be submitted through FEMA's Grants Outcomes (GO) system at https://go.fema.gov/.

What is FEMA Grants Outcomes (GO)?

FEMA GO is FEMA's online system for submitting grant applications. Applicants should be prepared to use FEMA's standard online grants process and comply with any system, registration, and submission requirements associated with GO, as implied by the posting.

What is the opportunity category?

The opportunity is listed under the "Other" opportunity category.

How does Mississippi State University relate to this opportunity?

The posting references Mississippi State University in its capacity as the Federal Aviation Administration's Air Transportation Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems. This signals the effort may be closely aligned with established UAS safety, standards, and research expertise connected to the FAA ecosystem and the ASSURE consortium.

What is ASSURE in the context of this grant?

ASSURE refers to the Alliance for System Safety of Unmanned Aircraft Systems through Research Excellence. In the context provided, it is tied to UAS safety and research excellence, and the grant opportunity is positioned around developing emergency management-focused UAS training and curriculum consistent with safe and effective operations.

What types of communities or end users is this training meant to support?

The training and curriculum are intended to strengthen how emergency management and first responder communities use UAS in real-world disaster contexts, including across state, local, tribal, and territorial jurisdictions as they build and integrate UAS programs.

What phases of emergency management does the training aim to support?

The opportunity explicitly describes UAS use across the disaster lifecycle and emphasizes competency-building for operations before, during, and after disasters, aligning with preparedness, response, and recovery operations.

Why does FEMA emphasize training rather than just technology?

The opportunity states that while drones are already proving useful across the disaster lifecycle, benefits depend heavily on having trained, competent personnel who can deploy UAS safely and effectively in stressful, time-critical conditions. Training is presented as a critical enabling factor for operational success, not an optional add-on.

What is the overall investment thesis behind the grant?

FEMA is investing in standardized, competency-based UAS training that translates drone technology into repeatable emergency management performance. The intent is to help responders and emergency managers use UAS tools safely, legally, and effectively to improve situational awareness and field operations during emergencies.

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