FY26-27 Drones as First Responder (DFR) Program
FY26-27 Drones as First Responder (DFR) Program supports Florida law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services agencies in buying new drones that meet state standards for governmental use.
Funder: Florida FDLE Office of Criminal Justice Grants
Due Dates: October 1, 2026, noon EDT (Applications open; rolling thereafter) | June 30, 2027 (Drone orders) | August 31, 2027 (Payment requests)
Funding Amounts: $2.5 million total; up to $250,000 per agency and $50,000 reimbursed per drone; nine-month awards
Summary: State funding helps Florida first responder agencies purchase new drones that meet governmental-use requirements.
Key Information: Recipients outside fiscally constrained counties must pay 50% of project costs with local funds.
Description
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Criminal Justice Grants Bureau administers the Drones as a First Responder Program as state financial assistance for fiscal year 2026–27. It supports purchases of new, compliant drones for law enforcement, fire service, and emergency medical services. The per-drone reimbursement limit includes associated accessories, software, and licensing.
The program responds to Florida’s requirements for governmental drone use, which led agencies to discontinue use of drones that did not meet state standards. Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis using the date a complete application is submitted, until available funds are obligated.
