Fiscal Year 2026 Next Generation Warning System Grant Program

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Fiscal Year 2026 Next Generation Warning System (NGWS) Grant Program (Funding Opportunity Number: DHS-26-IPAWS-138-00-01). With an expected total funding of $48 million, this cooperative agreement program anticipates awarding 5 to 10 grants ranging from $2 million to $10 million each. Eligible applicants are limited to states and Indian Tribes, with subawards permitted subject to prior FEMA approval. The primary objective of the NGWS Grant Program is to enhance public alert and warning capabilities, improve system resiliency, and bridge capability gaps, particularly in rural, tribal, and communication-limited communities. Funded projects must align with FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) standards. Allowable projects include installing IPAWS-compatible sirens, deploying emergency alert datacasting, integrating alerts into streaming and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and enhancing system cybersecurity. Applications are due by August 7, 2026, and must be submitted through the FEMA GO portal. Performance is scheduled to run from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2029. Evaluation criteria will assess vulnerability mitigation, capability gaps, program design, implementation feasibility, and learning opportunities. Recipients are subject to strict programmatic and financial reporting requirements, including quarterly progress reports and specific milestone deadlines to identify capability gaps and execute regional alert tests.