In the first part of this guide, we highlighted specific, sector-focused opportunities like the Port Security Grant Program. However, the threat of unauthorized drones extends far beyond our nation’s ports, affecting everything from critical infrastructure and airports to stadiums and corporate campuses. For these organizations, securing funding requires a different approach—one focused on aligning their specific needs with the broader goals of national security.
This second part serves as a universal playbook. We will explore how to leverage large-scale federal grants and provide a step-by-step guide to building a grant proposal that stands out, no matter your industry.
While some grants are sector-specific, many of the largest pools of funding are mission-oriented. Programs like the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) and the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) are designed to build capabilities that protect communities against acts of terrorism and other major threats. Your task is to demonstrate how a drone detection program is not just a facility upgrade, but a critical component of that larger public safety mission.
A winning grant proposal speaks the language of the funder and addresses the specific risks relevant to its environment. Here’s how to tailor your search on Grants.gov and frame your application for your industry, with specific examples to guide you.
Unique Threats: The risks go far beyond simple trespassing. Drones can be used for mapping vulnerabilities, launching cyber-attacks by spoofing Wi-Fi networks, or causing physical damage to sensitive equipment like transformers, leading to service disruptions. The integration of physical and cyber threats is a primary concern.
Grant Programs and Keywords:
Primary: On Grants.gov, focus on DHS grants like UASI and SHSP.
Specific Examples: Search for grants that blend physical and cyber security, such as the National Science Foundation's "Security, Privacy, and Trust in Cyberspace" program. For facilities that rely on complex networks, the "Verticals-enabling Intelligent Network Systems (VeINS)" grant could support the integration of drone detection into a "smart" grid or facility. The "Infrastructure Systems and People" grant is another excellent fit, as it funds research into improving the performance and resilience of infrastructure.
How to Tailor Your Application: Emphasize economic and national security. Use phrases like "ensuring operational continuity," "protecting essential public services," and "mitigating blended cyber-physical threats."
Unique Threats: The primary threat is to safety. A drone collision with an aircraft during takeoff or landing could be catastrophic. Drones also pose a risk of runway incursions, forcing costly shutdowns and delays.
Grant Programs and Keywords:
Primary: Search the Department of Transportation (DOT) on Grants.gov, specifically for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Specific Examples: The "FAA Aviation Research Grants Program" is a key opportunity to fund innovative solutions that benefit civil aviation. For projects focused on public-private partnerships, the "Innovative Finance and Asset Concession (IFAC) Grant Program" could be a creative avenue for funding security infrastructure at airports.
How to Tailor Your Application: The focus must be on safety and security. Align your proposal with FAA goals to ensure the safety of the National Airspace System (NAS). Use data on the rising number of drone sightings near airports and quantify the potential economic cost of a single shutdown.
Unique Threats: Classified as "soft targets," the risk here is focused on mass casualty events. Drones can be used to cause panic, deliver a harmful agent, conduct hostile surveillance, or drop contraband into a secure area.
Grant Programs and Keywords:
Primary (for non-profits): The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), found under the DHS category, is a perfect fit.
Primary (for all types): UASI and SHSP funds can be accessed through a strong partnership with local law enforcement.
Specific Examples: While direct grants are limited, the technology behind drone detection aligns with programs like the "Communications, Circuits, and Sensing-Systems" grant, which could support advanced research and development in partnership with a university. Furthermore, funding the "Integrated Data Systems & Services" needed to share your drone detection data with law enforcement can be a powerful angle for a collaborative proposal.
How to Tailor Your Application: Your narrative should be centered on public safety and anti-terrorism. Reference DHS guidance on protecting soft targets. Your application will be exponentially stronger if it's a collaborative effort with local police, positioning the system as a community asset.
A successful grant application tells a compelling story backed by data. It moves from a general problem to a specific, fundable solution. Follow these steps to build a proposal that funders can't ignore.
This is the single most important step. You must move beyond saying "drones are a threat" and document exactly how they threaten your facility. A formal assessment should identify specific vulnerabilities, potential attack scenarios (e.g., cyber-snooping on your Wi-Fi, physical damage to an HVAC unit, surveillance of security patrols), and the potential impact of an incident. This document is the bedrock of your entire application.
Grantmakers fund capabilities, not just products. Instead of saying, "We want to buy a drone detection system," frame your request as, "We need to establish a comprehensive airspace security capability." This capability includes:
Your proposal cannot exist in a vacuum. UASI and SHSP grants prioritize projects that benefit an entire region's security posture. Before you write, engage with your local partners:
A letter of support from the local police chief or sheriff stating they will collaborate with you and use the data from your system transforms your proposal from a single-entity request to a community-wide security enhancement.
Structure your proposal to tell a clear and logical story:
Provide a detailed budget that covers the entire cost of the capability—technology, installation, training, and multi-year maintenance. Justify the investment by referencing your risk assessment. Compare the cost of the system to the potential cost of an incident: operational shutdowns, physical repairs, reputational damage, and potential liability.
Securing grant funding for a drone detection system is an achievable goal. By strategically aligning your organization's needs with the broader mission of homeland security and by following a methodical playbook to build your proposal, you can turn a critical security need into a funded, operational reality. The effort you invest in a well-crafted application is a direct investment in the safety and security of your organization.