UASI ‘26 Grant Cycle
CURRENT STATUS
The RDPO team and the Steering Committee are reviewing the Evaluation Committee’s ranked list of projects and will submit an initial funding package to OEM and FEMA soon. The RDPO team will continue to work with applicants in the coming months to further develop projects. Final funding decisions will be made in early January 2027. View a more detailed list of deadlines in the UASI ‘26 Timeline and the RDPO UASI Timelines.
APPLICATION PROCESS
1) Applications were due on June 24, 2026. These instructions are provided for informational purposes.
There are major changes to this year’s application process. Carefully review the Application Instructions.
UPDATE: The UASI ‘26 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) was released on June 24, 2026. It aligns with assumptions made in the application instructions below regarding LETPA and NPA investments. View the summary of changes.
Engage all relevant partners when designing the project. Your project must eventually be sponsored by an RDPO work group or committee. This is not required at the time of application submission, but you should begin conversations ASAP.
Download a copy of the Application Form to your computer’s hard drive, complete it, and send it to the RDPO as an attachment on June 24. Follow the submission steps outlined in the Application Instructions.
2) Attend the Project Review Forum on July 8 or 9, 2026.
All applicants are required to attend the online Project Review Forum on July 8 and 9 to discuss their project or send a proxy who can represent their project and answer questions. Meetings will be recorded and notes will be added to applications as an addendum.
The Forum schedule is listed at the top of this page.
All RDPO work groups, subcommittees, and other interested parties are invited to attend the forum to learn more about the projects. If you would like to attend, contact PBEM-UASIgrants@portlandorengov. The RDPO team will send you the application materials, calendar invite, and a form that you can use to submit questions for applicants.
3) Attend the July 20 Steering Committee meeting.
The Steering Committee will meet on July 20 to discuss the initial funding package. All applicants, Evaluation Committee members, and Program Committee members are highly encouraged to attend.
After this meeting the RDPO will submit an initial funding package to OEM and FEMA.
4) If approved, further develop your project from August-December 2026.
Any application that progresses beyond the initial scoring will need further development to ensure the RDPO Steering Committee has sufficient information to submit a final funding package to OEM/FEMA in January 2027. Project managers will be required to meet regularly with the RDPO team to refine projects. They will gather information about core capabilities, budgets, project management plans, and procurement plans.
5) Await final funding package announcement in January 2027.
In January 2027, the RDPO will announce a final funding package plan. The final award is dependent on OEM/DHS review and approval of the RDPO’s final funding package.
TENTATIVE TIMELINE
View a more detailed list of deadlines in the UASI ‘26 Timeline and the RDPO UASI Timelines. Dates are tentative and will be adjusted as the RDPO team learns more about FEMA timelines.
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
June 24, 2026: Applications due
July 8 & 9: Project Review Forum (see above for more details)
July 10-15: Evaluation Committee scores projects
July 20: Steering Committee meeting to discuss initial funding package
August-December: Project development phase
January 11, 2027: RDPO announces final funding package
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION & CLOSEOUT
Jan-May 2027: Once subrecipient agreements are completed, project work may commence
Mar 31, 2029: Grant period ends - projects must be complete, no spending past this date
Apr 30, 2029: Final invoices and Requests for Reimbursements due
Jul 10, 2029: Final report due
CONTACT
The RDPO team is here to help applicants design successful, impactful projects. Contact us at pbem-uasigrants@portlandoregon.gov.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
APPLICATION RESOURCES
Election Security Resource Guide (September 2024)
PROJECT MANAGEMENT RESOURCES
If your project receives funding, you may find the following resources helpful: