Port Security Grant Program (97.056)
Port Security Grant Program (Assistance Listing 97.056) is run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, part of the Department of Homeland Security. It awarded $435 million in 1,131 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $384,483 per award on average. No funding opportunity is open on Grants.gov right now.
The typical award was $235,803. Half of the 1,131 awards fell between $72,539 and $525,000, and they ranged from $2,605 to $8.9 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$435 million
- Grant awards1,131
- Typical award$235,803
- Awarded in FY 2025$77.4 million
- Size rank406 of 1824
- Type of assistanceProject grants
Key findings
- Annual funding fell from $95.2 million in fiscal 2021 to $77.4 million in fiscal 2025.
- It is the 406th largest of 1,824 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 35% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 42 states and territories.
What the program funds
??The Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) is one of four grant programs that constitute DHS/FEMA’s focus on transportation infrastructure security activities. These grant programs are part of a comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress and implemented by the Administration to help strengthen the nation’s critical infrastructure against risks associated with potential terrorist attacks. PSGP provides funds to state, local, and private sector maritime partners to support increased port-wide risk management and protect critical surface transportation infrastructure from acts of terrorism, major disasters, and other emergencies. Performance metrics for this program are: 1) Procured equipment placed into services; 2) Threats/Risks/Vulnerability assessments conducted and documented; 3) Emergency plans developed and documented; 4) Exercises executed; 5) Resources/capabilities tested; 6) After/action reports developed (post-real-life events and exercise); 7) State and local partners trained; and 8) State and local participants coordinate with USCG and Area Maritime Security Committee (AMSC).?
Open opportunities
No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.
Rules from the program listing
What the money can and cannot pay for
??Consultant/ContractorCC003 - Marketing, Advertising, and Public RelationsCC005 - Rehabilitation ServicesCC006 - Counseling ServicesCC007 - Information ServicesCC008 - Labor ManagementCC012 - SubrecipientConstructionCN001 - AppraisalsCN002 - Rights-of-WayCN003 - Project Inspection FeesCN005 - Normal/Ordinary RepairCN006 - Rearrangement and reconversion costsCN008 – Refinancing CN011 - ReconstructionCN012 - Restoration Compensation-Personal ServicesCP003 - Employee Health and WelfareCP007 - FellowshipsCP008 – Retirement EquipmentEQ002 - DepreciationMiscellaneousMC003 - InsuranceMC004 - Project PlanningMC005 - FundraisingMC006 - InterestMC009 - Food CommoditiesMC010 - BondingMC011 - Postage Program Management Expenses PM001 - Program Management Expenses Real Property/FacilitiesRP002 - Disposal (Including Gains and Losses)RP004 - Utilities (e.g., Power, Water, Phones)RP007 - General Purpose EquipmentRP008 - Real Property PurchaseRP009 - Real Property DepreciationRP010 - Mortgage PrincipalRP011 - Mortgage InterestRP012 - Mortgage TaxesRP013 - GroundskeepingRP014 - ManagementRP015 - Central Receiving Research Related ExpensesRX001 - Alcoholic BeveragesRX002 - Alteration and RenovationsRX003 - Animals, Animal WelfareRX004 - Audiovisual ActivitiesRX005 - Books and JournalsRX006 - Building AcquisitionRX007 - Capital ExpendituresRX008 - CommunicationsRX009 - Consortium AgreementsRX010 - Customs and Import DutiesRX011 - Donor CostsRX012 - DrugsRX013 - EquipmentRX014 - Hazardous Waste...
Matching requirements
Statutory Formula: Title Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 200, Subpart D,Public Law 200.306.The PSGP has a cost-share requirement. The non-federal entity contribution can be cash (hard match) or third-party in-kind (soft match), with the exception of construction activities, which must be a cash (hard) match. In-kind contributions are defined as third-party contributions per 2 C.F.R. § 200.306. All applicants will be required to commit to the cost-share requirement of each project at the time of application. The required cost share is based on and calculated against the total of all PSGP funds awarded to an eligible entity as described in the “Applications Submitted by Eligible Entities” section above during this fiscal year within a single Port Area. For example, if an entity operates multiple facilities under the same UEI within the same Port Area and each facility requests projects exempt of cost share due to being $25,000 or less, FEMA will view these projects collectively for purposes of determining the appropriate cost share and a cost share will be required if the total exceeds $25,000. As a result, multiple components within a single eligible entity (i.e., port authority, facility operator, local government, or state government) are strongly encouraged to coordinate their applications if they apply separately (even if addressing multiple, disparate projects within the Port Area) for these cost share purposes.
Deadlines
Refer to the PSGP Notice of Funding Opportunity when available and posted on grants.gov
Award range and average, in the agency's words
There is no set range for funding under PSGP, however many projects are limited to $1,000,000 per 46 USC § 70107. Average funding per project in FY2023 PSGP was approximately $251,256 with the funding range of approved projects from $750 to $2.7 million. For more information, refer to the FY 2023 PSGP Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and the FY 2023 FEMA Preparedness Grants Manual (PGM).
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal Year2025: ??PSGP funding may be used for Patrol Vessel Communication Equipment Cameras/CCTV/Remote Sensing Training, as well as Cybersecurity Maintenance of prior grant project; Physical Security Personnel Costs; and Response Vehicle/Vessel Training?.Fiscal Year2026: ??Planning, Organization, Equipment, Training, and/or Exercise projects. Could include enhancing cybersecurity, enhancing the protection of soft targets/crowded places, etc.?
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Port Security Grant Program (97.056) awarded$435 million across 1,131 grant awards, an average of $384,483 per award.
Who usually wins
State and local governments received 92% of the money, businesses 6.2% and nonprofits 1.0%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| State and local governments | 979 | $401 million | 92% |
| Businesses | 140 | $27.0 million | 6.2% |
| Nonprofits | 6 | $4.5 million | 1.0% |
| Other | 5 | $1.6 million | 0.4% |
| Tribal governments and organizations | 1 | $709,340 | 0.2% |
By state
36 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 86 | $67.8 million |
| Texas | 110 | $63.1 million |
| California | 126 | $57.9 million |
| Florida | 83 | $43.7 million |
| Louisiana | 67 | $29.9 million |
| New Jersey | 70 | $18.9 million |
| Washington | 52 | $17.3 million |
| Massachusetts | 48 | $11.7 million |
| Virginia | 45 | $11.2 million |
| North Carolina | 29 | $8.9 million |
| Maryland | 20 | $8.5 million |
| South Carolina | 31 | $8.3 million |
| Alabama | 24 | $8.0 million |
| Connecticut | 50 | $6.7 million |
| Illinois | 30 | $6.0 million |
| Georgia | 6 | $5.8 million |
| Pennsylvania | 24 | $5.0 million |
| Kentucky | 26 | $5.0 million |
| Tennessee | 15 | $4.9 million |
| Minnesota | 14 | $4.6 million |
| Guam | 8 | $4.6 million |
| Hawaii | 8 | $4.0 million |
| Delaware | 18 | $3.4 million |
| Michigan | 10 | $3.2 million |
| Missouri | 20 | $3.1 million |
| Alaska | 6 | $3.0 million |
| Indiana | 22 | $2.9 million |
| Arkansas | 5 | $2.7 million |
| Wisconsin | 9 | $2.6 million |
| Ohio | 16 | $2.3 million |
| Arizona | 5 | $2.0 million |
| Oregon | 8 | $1.4 million |
| Iowa | 4 | $1.3 million |
| Oklahoma | 2 | $1.2 million |
| Rhode Island | 4 | $1.1 million |
| Mississippi | 14 | $846,019 |
| Maine | 3 | $783,113 |
| West Virginia | 4 | $761,784 |
| Northern Mariana Islands | 4 | $673,157 |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | 1 | $289,280 |
| New Hampshire | 2 | $73,055 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $58,040 |