Blogs

Check out the new "Federal Grant Funding Outlook for Special Districts in 2026" resource for NSDA members! These slides provide an overview of FY 2026 funding, help structure grant planning strategies, and highlight NSDA Grants resources.

We also invite you to complete the 2026 NSDA Grants Survey to help us better understand your familiarity with federal grants and interest in these opportunities. Your responses will enable us to tailor resources and shape topics for upcoming NSDA Grants Brownbag sessions scheduled for April 16, July 16, and September 9. The survey is open until March 31 and takes approximately 5-7 minutes to complete.

NSDA Grants Survey

Federal Grant Funding Outlook for Special Districts in 2026

New Grant Opportunities

Department of Energy

FY 2026 The Genesis Mission: Transforming Science and Energy with AI

• WHAT DOES IT FUND? This program supports projects from interdisciplinary teams addressing the Genesis Mission National Science and Technology Challenges to accelerate scientific discovery and research and development (R&D) workflows using novel artificial intelligence (AI) models and frameworks. Click here for more information.
• WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Eligible applicants include all domestic entities except 501(c)(4) organizations engaged in lobbying.
• TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $293.76 million.
• WHEN IS IT DUE? April 28, 2026 (Phase I Application); April 28, 2026 (Phase II LOI); May 19, 2026 (Phase II Application); December 17, 2026 (Phase II Applications resulting from Phase I Awards).

Department of Health and Human Services

FY 2026 Make America Healthy Again: Enhancing Lifestyle and Evaluating Value-Based Approaches Through Evidence (MAHA ELEVATE)

• WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to test evidence-based, whole-person functional or lifestyle medicine (“whole-person FLM”) approaches to care. Click here for more information.
• WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Eligible applicants are private medical practices; health systems and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs); academic organizations; functional, lifestyle, preventive, and integrative medicine centers; community-based organizations (CBOs); Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs); Rural Health Clinics (RHCs); Indian Health Service/Tribal Services/Urban Indian Programs (ITUs); and local and state governments.
• TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $100 million.
• WHEN IS IT DUE? April 10, 2026 (Required LOI); May 15, 2026 (Full Proposal).

Department of Justice

FY 2025 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program: Local Formula

• WHAT DOES IT FUND? This program provides formula funding to eligible units of local government to support hiring personnel, purchasing equipment, supplies, training, technical assistance, and information systems across 11 criminal justice program areas including law enforcement, prosecution, prevention, corrections, drug treatment, mental health, and more. Click here for more information.
• WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Eligible applicants are units of local government including cities, counties, townships, special district governments, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments that perform law enforcement functions and are listed on the JAG Allocations webpage.
• TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $96,384,585.
• WHEN IS IT DUE? April 21, 2026 (Grants.gov); April 28, 2026 (JustGrants).

Department of Veterans Affairs

FY 2027 Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SPGP)

• WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to reduce Veteran suicide by awarding grants to community-based organizations to directly provide or coordinate the provision of primarily non-clinical suicide prevention services to eligible individuals and their families. Click here for more information.
• WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Eligible applicants are state or local governments; community-based organizations; Indian tribes; incorporated private institutions or foundations; and corporations wholly owned and controlled by incorporated private institutions or foundations.
• TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $111.9 million.
• WHEN IS IT DUE? June 12, 2026.

National Endowment for the Humanities

FY 2026 Collections Stewardship Program

• WHAT DOES IT FUND? This program funds projects to preserve and make available physical and digital collections important for research, teaching, and public engagement in the humanities. Click here for more information.
• WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, state and local governments and their agencies, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments.
• TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $14 million.
• WHEN IS IT DUE? May 11, 2026, and December 15, 2026.

Latest Grant News

• Interior Announces $889 Million Investment in Western Water Infrastructure Through President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill. READ MORE
• FEMA Awards Historic $625 Million for States and Cities to Secure This Year’s FIFA World Cup Matches. READ MORE
• VA announces $112M grant opportunity to strengthen community-based suicide prevention efforts. READ MORE