Opportunity Information: Apply for DHS 26 GPD 091 00 99
The Fiscal Year 2026 BioWatch Grant Program is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) effort administered through FEMA to sustain and operate the BioWatch system, a nationwide biodetection capability intended to provide early warning of an aerosolized biological attack. BioWatch is described as a federally managed but locally operated network of strategically placed air collectors that continuously sample the air for a defined set of biological threats. The practical purpose of the program is speed: getting timely indication of a possible biological incident so public health and emergency management leaders can make faster decisions, launch coordinated response actions, and ultimately reduce illness and loss of life. The program is positioned as a direct support to the National Biodefense Strategy and Implementation Plan (2022) by improving preparedness, informing incident decision-making, and providing post-incident support to limit broader impacts.
Operationally, BioWatch runs in more than 30 metropolitan areas across 22 states and is intended to protect roughly one-third of the U.S. population, with the ability to extend coverage during high-visibility special events. The NOFO focuses on the “field operations” required to keep that monitoring network functioning day to day. In plain terms, funding is aimed at maintaining a fleet of air monitoring units, routinely collecting and replacing filters, and ensuring those filters are transported daily to BioWatch laboratories for analysis in the covered metro areas. For certain metropolitan areas identified in the full NOFO, the scope can optionally include “laboratory operations” as well, which would cover sample processing, analysis, and results reporting. Beyond the technical sampling and testing workflow, BioWatch also emphasizes partner support activities such as guidance, training, and exercises, plus alerting and coordination when detection triggers a response posture.
The grant’s objectives center on three outcomes. First is maintaining a robust, reliable biodetection capability, meaning the equipment, sampling schedules, logistics, and quality practices needed to keep the system running consistently. Second is active stakeholder engagement so that the jurisdictions involved are not just collecting samples but are also prepared to interpret information and act on it through plans, exercises, and established procedures. Third is building and sustaining coordination mechanisms across federal, state, local, tribal (and where applicable regional) partners so that if a potential bioterrorism event is detected, public health actions and emergency response decisions can be made quickly and in a synchronized way.
This opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement (not a standard grant), which typically signals substantial federal involvement in program execution and oversight, consistent with a nationally managed detection architecture that relies on local operators for implementation. The opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number DHS 26 GPD 091 00 99 and CFDA/Assistance Listing 97.091, within a Science and Technology / research and development-related activity category, reflecting the specialized technical nature of biodetection operations even though the award primarily funds operational readiness and service delivery.
Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, and other eligible entities specifically noted as state and local government agencies, regional governmental organizations, public institutions of higher education, and federally recognized tribal governments. The program anticipates up to 40 awards, with an award ceiling of $6,000,000 per award. The posting indicates an original application closing date of July 30, 2026, and a creation/posting date of July 15, 2026.Apply for DHS 26 GPD 091 00 99
- The Department of Homeland Security - FEMA in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fiscal Year 2026 BioWatch Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 97.091.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-07-15.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-07-30. (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 $6,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 40 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Fiscal Year 2026 BioWatch Grant Program (DHS/FEMA) - FAQs
What is the Fiscal Year 2026 BioWatch Grant Program?
The Fiscal Year 2026 BioWatch Grant Program is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) effort administered through FEMA to sustain and operate the BioWatch system, a nationwide biodetection capability intended to provide early warning of an aerosolized biological attack.
What is the BioWatch system in plain terms?
BioWatch is described as a federally managed but locally operated network of strategically placed air collectors that continuously sample the air for a defined set of biological threats. The day-to-day concept is straightforward: air collectors run continuously, filters are routinely collected and replaced, and the filters are transported daily to BioWatch laboratories for analysis in covered metropolitan areas.
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The practical purpose is speed: providing timely indication of a possible biological incident so public health and emergency management leaders can make faster decisions, launch coordinated response actions, and ultimately reduce illness and loss of life.
How does the program connect to national biodefense priorities?
The program is positioned as a direct support to the National Biodefense Strategy and Implementation Plan (2022) by improving preparedness, informing incident decision-making, and providing post-incident support to limit broader impacts.
Where does BioWatch operate?
BioWatch runs in more than 30 metropolitan areas across 22 states. It is intended to protect roughly one-third of the U.S. population.
Can BioWatch coverage expand beyond routine operations?
Yes. The system includes the ability to extend coverage during high-visibility special events.
What activities does the NOFO emphasize funding?
The NOFO focuses on the field operations required to keep the monitoring network functioning day to day. Funding is aimed at maintaining a fleet of air monitoring units, routinely collecting and replacing filters, and ensuring those filters are transported daily to BioWatch laboratories for analysis in covered metro areas.
What are "field operations" under this program?
Field operations refer to the practical tasks that keep the network running daily, including maintaining air monitoring units, conducting routine filter collection and replacement, and transporting filters daily to laboratories for analysis.
Does this opportunity fund laboratory operations?
For certain metropolitan areas identified in the full NOFO, the scope can optionally include laboratory operations. These laboratory operations would cover sample processing, analysis, and results reporting.
Besides sampling and lab work, what else does BioWatch support?
BioWatch emphasizes partner support activities such as guidance, training, and exercises, plus alerting and coordination when detection triggers a response posture.
What are the core objectives of the BioWatch Grant Program?
The objectives center on three outcomes: (1) maintaining a robust, reliable biodetection capability (equipment, sampling schedules, logistics, and quality practices), (2) active stakeholder engagement so jurisdictions can interpret information and act through plans, exercises, and procedures, and (3) building and sustaining coordination mechanisms across federal, state, local, tribal (and where applicable regional) partners so decisions can be made quickly and in a synchronized way during a potential event.
What does "robust, reliable biodetection capability" mean here?
It refers to the consistent, dependable operation of the system, including keeping equipment functional, adhering to sampling schedules, maintaining logistics for daily filter movement, and using quality practices to ensure the monitoring network runs as intended.
What does "stakeholder engagement" mean in the context of this program?
Stakeholder engagement means the participating jurisdictions are not only collecting samples but are also prepared to interpret BioWatch information and act on it through planning, exercises, and established procedures.
Why is coordination across multiple levels of government emphasized?
Because the program is designed to support rapid, synchronized public health actions and emergency response decisions if a potential bioterrorism event is detected. The program specifically highlights coordination among federal, state, local, tribal (and where applicable regional) partners.
Is this award a standard grant?
No. This opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant. This typically signals substantial federal involvement in program execution and oversight.
Why is the cooperative agreement structure important for BioWatch?
The cooperative agreement model is consistent with a nationally managed detection architecture that relies on local operators for implementation, while maintaining substantial federal involvement and oversight.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DHS 26 GPD 091 00 99.
What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number?
The CFDA/Assistance Listing number is 97.091.
What activity category is this opportunity listed under?
The opportunity is listed within a Science and Technology / research and development-related activity category, reflecting the specialized technical nature of biodetection operations, even though the award primarily funds operational readiness and service delivery.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, and other eligible entities specifically noted as state and local government agencies, regional governmental organizations, public institutions of higher education, and federally recognized tribal governments.
How many awards does the program anticipate making?
The program anticipates up to 40 awards.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $6,000,000 per award.
What is the application deadline listed for this opportunity?
The posting indicates an original application closing date of July 30, 2026.
When was this opportunity posted?
The creation/posting date is July 15, 2026.
What populations and areas are intended to benefit from BioWatch operations?
BioWatch is intended to protect roughly one-third of the U.S. population through operations in more than 30 metropolitan areas across 22 states, with the ability to extend coverage during high-visibility special events.
What is the operational flow the grant is trying to sustain?
The operational flow described includes continuously sampling air using strategically placed collectors, routinely collecting and replacing filters, transporting those filters daily to BioWatch laboratories for analysis, and supporting alerting and coordination when detection triggers a response posture.
What is the intended outcome if a possible biological incident is detected?
The intended outcome is that public health and emergency management leaders can make faster decisions and launch coordinated response actions, helping reduce illness and loss of life.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Previous opportunity: Fiscal Year 2026 Small Dollar Loan Program
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for DHS 26 GPD 091 00 99
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (DHS 26 GPD 091 00 99) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Unlocking Dataset Value for AI-Enabled Scientific Discovery Apply for 26 512 Funding Number: 26 512 Agency: U.S. National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center State Competition Apply for 2026 NIST MEP 02 Funding Number: 2026 NIST MEP 02 Agency: National Institute of Standards and Technology Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NIJ FY 2026 Research and Evaluation of Services for Victims of Crime Apply for O NIJ 2026 172659 Funding Number: O NIJ 2026 172659 Agency: National Institute of Justice Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Effects of International Parental Child Abduction on Abducted Children and Left-Behind Parents Apply for DFOP0019391 Funding Number: DFOP0019391 Agency: Bureau of Consular Affairs Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,973,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "DHS 26 GPD 091 00 99", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.