Grants and Funding Opportunities

Federal and state grant programs are a valuable resource for counties. They offer a funding stream for specific projects that might otherwise have to be funded through the General Fund, if they would even be pursued at all. 

This page provides a listing of available grant programs through both the federal government and the state government. It will be updated as application windows open and close and as new programs are announced. If you are aware of a program that is not listed but you believe should be, please email Research Analyst Nick Ciolli.

If you have questions specific to a particular grant, please contact the CCAO Policy Team.

Two notes regarding the "Eligibility Criteria" column in the tables below:

First, only the criteria under which county governments can apply are listed. An entry of "county governments" is not meant to imply that the grant is available to only counties.

Second, some of the grant programs listed below may not be available to county governments. These are listed because, while the county itself may be unable to apply, other organizations such as non-profits may be able to, and the purpose of the grant is one of value that counties may recommend organizations apply for. These grants will be noted as such under the "Eligibility Criteria" column by the inclusion of "[non-county grant]".

State Grant Programs

Grant Program

Brief Summary

Eligibility Criteria

Amount Available

Application Due Date

Rural EMS and Dispatch Modernization Grant Program To improve emergency medical services (EMS), public safety communications, and emergency dispatch capabilities in rural communities. The project is intended to strengthen emergency response systems through investments in technology, workforce development, communications infrastructure, and innovative models of care PSAPs, emergency dispatch centers, EMS, and Fire serving rural areas

$12 million available

October 6, 2026
Body-Worn Camera Grant Program To assist law enforcement agencies in establishing a body-worn camera program or to acquire body cameras and associated technology.

Law enforcement agencies.

Cannot be used to support Corrections.

$5 million available

October 7, 2026
Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Grant Program To provide funding for the demolition of commercial and residential buildings and revitalization of surrounding properties on sites that are not brownfields.

The designated lead agency in each county

(Listed in "Lead Agency List")

$21.5 million available

October 16. 2026
MARCS Grant To assist volunteer fire departments and small fire departments in acquiring systems and equipment to integrate into the Multi-Agency Radio Communication System.

Volunteer fire departments and fire departments serving areas with less than 25,000 residents

[non-county grant]

Maximum award: $50,000

October 24, 2026
H2Ohio Conservation Ditch Grant Program To provide reimbursement for the construction of two-stage and self-forming conservation ditches. Soil and water conservation districts and county engineers

Unspecified

Reimbursement model

June 1, 2027
(Rolling until)

 

Counties may also find the following links regarding how to use SAM.gov, the main federal intergovernmental assistance portal, useful: A presentation slide deck and the accompanying recording, as well as a one-page guide.

Federal grants often have broad eligibility criteria due to the diversity of local governments across the nation. If there are certain requirements that a government must meet, it is is noted; otherwise, "General Availability" denotes a program that most counties will be able to apply for.

Federal Grant Programs

Grant Program

Brief Summary

Eligibility Criteria

Amount Available

Application Due Date

Crisis Response Training Program To improving law enforcement responses to individuals in crisis who have behavioral health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, and/or traumatic brain injuries.

Two pots:

One for law enforcement agencies

One for correctional facilities

Max award: $650,000

No match required

October 5, 2026
Reducing Injury and Death of Missing Individuals with Dementia and Developmental Disabilities Grant Program To support public safety efforts to reduce deaths and injuries of individuals with forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, or developmental disabilities, such as autism, who, due to their condition, wander from safe environments. Law agencies and health care agencies

Max Award: $150,000

No match required

October 5, 2026
Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) Planning Grants To assist entities in developing a Resilience Improvement Plan. General availability

$79 million available

October 9, 2026
PROTECT Resilience Improvement Grants To improve the ability of existing surface transportation assets to withstand one or more elements of a weather event or natural disaster, or to increase the resilience of surface transportation infrastructure from the impacts of changing conditions, such as sea level rise, flooding, wildfires, extreme weather events, and other natural disasters. General availability

$551 million available

October 9, 2026
PROTECT Community Resilience and Evacuation Route Grants To strengthen and protect evacuation routes essential for supporting emergency evacuations during emergency event. General availability

$79 million available

October 9, 2026
PROTECT At-Risk Coastal Infrastructure Grants To enhance the resilience of highway and non-rail infrastructure, including bridges, roads, pedestrian walkways, and bicycle lanes, and associated infrastructure, such as culverts and tide gates to protect highways, that are subject to risks associated with their coastal location. General availability to entities on coastlines, including Great Lakes

$79 million available

October 9, 2026
Title X Family Planning Services Grants To promote the general family planning programs and goals under Title X of the Public Health Service Act. General availability

Maximum award: $22 million

Local match of between 1% and 10%

January 9, 2027

 

None at this time.