September 25, 2026 Weekly Grants Update
New Grant Opportunities
Environmental Protection Agency
FY 2026 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Program
WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to incentivize and accelerate the upgrade or retirement of the nation's legacy diesel engine fleet by funding the retrofit or replacement of existing diesel engines, vehicles, and equipment with certified or verified technologies. Click here for more information.
WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Eligible applicants are state governments (including the District of Columbia), regional and local agencies, cities, counties, municipalities, school districts, metropolitan planning organizations, port authorities, and tribal agencies with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality, as well as nonprofit organizations that promote transportation or air quality or serve diesel fleet owners and operators.
TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $180 million
WHEN IS IT DUE? January 22, 2027
Department of Agriculture
FY 2026 Restoration and Stewardship Assistance for Wetland and Floodplain Easements
WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to restore, steward, and assess lands protected through Wetland Reserve Easements and Floodplain Easements. Work falls into three categories: restoration, which plans and implements easement restoration; stewardship, which covers repair, maintenance, management, and enhancement of restored easements; and assessments, which document habitat condition and compliance with deed terms. Click here for more information.
WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Eligible applicants are state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; public and state controlled institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses.
TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $5 million
WHEN IS IT DUE? November 19, 2026
Department of Health and Human Services
FY 2027 Service Area Competition
WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to improve the health of medically underserved communities and populations by providing grants to support the delivery of comprehensive, high-quality primary and preventive health care services in the United States and its territories. Click here for more information.
WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Eligible applicants are special district governments, city or township governments, state governments, county governments, Native American tribal governments and organizations, urban Indian organizations, nonprofit organizations, and independent school districts.
TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $267 million
WHEN IS IT DUE? October 19, 2026
Department of Transportation
FY 2027 FAA Contract Tower Competitive Grant Program
WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to support airport-owned airport traffic control tower (ATCT) projects that address the aging infrastructure of the nation's airports. Funding may be used to sustain, construct, repair, improve, rehabilitate, modernize, replace, or relocate non-approach control towers; acquire and install air traffic control, communications, and related equipment to be used in such towers; or construct remote towers certified by the FAA, including acquisition and installation of air traffic control, communications, or related equipment. Click here for more information.
WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Eligible applicants include public agencies, private entities, state agencies, Indian Tribe, or Pueblo owning a public-use National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) airport, the Secretary of the Interior for Midway Island airport, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. Eligibility is limited to airport sponsors approved in the FAA’s Contract Tower Program or Contract Tower Cost Share program and normally eligible for Airport Improvement Program awards.
TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $100 million
WHEN IS IT DUE? October 19, 2026
Latest Grant News
DOJ Announces $25M ANGEL Grant Opportunity for Local Law Enforcement
USDA to Invest $5 Million to Help Partners and Producers Restore and Protect Wetlands and Floodplains on Agricultural Lands
Trump Administration Delivers More Than $1.6 Billion to Strengthen Preparedness and Resilience Across America
The grant experts of the NSDA Grants Program are committed to helping special districts understand the federal funding landscape and adjust to the changing priorities. As always, our team is here to help you! If you have any questions about specific grants – whether on the pre-award or post-award side – we encourage you to connect with us during NSDA Office Hours or submit a project through the NSDA Project Idea Portal for advice on potential funding opportunities. Special districts may also access additional grant resources on the NSDA Website. If you have any questions, please contact nsdagrants@tfgnet.com.