Aerial Asset Accessibility Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO):

North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM)

Aerial Asset Accessibility Grant Program
 

North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM) is now accepting applications for grants funded through Aerial Asset Accessibility Grant Program established in “The Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 – Part II”, S.L. 2025-26, §§ 2A.3.(a)(7)(c) and Subpart 2D, the Aerial Asset Accessibility Grant Program.

Eligible applicants are limited to people or units of local government that own an airport that (i) is currently in operation or (ii) was in operation prior to Tropical Storm Helene and not currently in operation but for damage from Tropical Storm Helene.

Funding can be used to improve capacity for emergency preparedness or to repair, replace, restore damaged infrastructure.

Alternative Funding

A recipient of State funds under this grant shall use best efforts and take all reasonable steps to obtain alternative funds that cover the losses or needs for which the State funds are provided, including funds from insurance policies in effect and available federal aid. State funds paid under this grant are declared to be excess over funds received by a recipient from the settlement of a claim for loss or damage covered under the recipient's applicable insurance policy in effect or federal aid. If a recipient obtains alternative funds pursuant to this paragraph, then the recipient shall remit the funds to North Carolina Emergency Management. A recipient is not required to remit any amount in excess of the State funds provided to the recipient under this grant.

Applications must be received by NCEM no later than Close of Business (5pm) on 15 June 2026.

Eligible Applicants

An eligible recipient under this Program is a person or unit of local government that owns an airport which is either currently in operation or was operational before Tropical Storm Helene but is not operating now due to damage caused by the tropical storm. To qualify, the airport must meet the following requirements: it must have a fuel available 24 hours a day, seven days a week; the county where the airport is located must enter into an agreement granting the State untethered access to any facilities provided under the Program; it must have on‑site aviation mechanics offering services to the public; and, during a state of emergency, it must be capable of remaining open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Airports classified as Commercial Service Airports by the Federal Aviation Administration are not eligible under this grant.

Eligible Categories of Work

Funds can be used for the following categories of work:

  1. Grants for Damaged Infrastructure. – Recipients may repair, replace, and restore infrastructure on airport property, including terminals, runways, gates, hangars, curtilage structures, airport roads, and other structures damaged by Tropical Storm Helene. Applicants for these grants must pursue insurance coverage and federal aid prior to being awarded a grant for these purposes.
  2. Grants for Capacity for Emergency Preparedness – Recipients may improve their capacity for emergency preparedness and disaster response through capital projects and infrastructure and communication improvements on airfield property. Eligible recipients must demonstrate how the project or improvement will increase emergency preparedness and disaster response.

Initial funding for this notice is anticipated to be $20,000,000

  1. Grants will be limited to a maximum of $5,000,000 for a single recipient.
  2. Total grants will be limited to two for a single county.

Projects can be 100% funded with no cost share and are paid on a reimbursement basis. Grant administration costs are not eligible.

Examples of Eligible Projects:

(Not intended to be a full list but may help applicants to identify possible projects)

  1. Damaged Infrastructure
    • Repair runway pavement and lighting damaged by flooding
    • Replace broken jet bridges at gates
    • Rebuild hangar roofs torn off by wind
    • Fix airport access roads washed out by storm
  2. Emergency Preparedness Capacity
    • Install backup generators for terminals and control towers
    • Add redundant radio and satellite communication systems
    • Create hardened shelters for staff and passengers

The Period of Performance (POP) is up to 36 months, starting on the date of the recipient’s award. This process starts with the application referenced below.

Prioritization

NCEM shall prioritize applicants with facilities that demonstrate adequate runway capacity, storage capacity, and personnel that can substantially contribute to enhanced regional emergency and disaster readiness. These prioritized applicants shall also be capable of facilitating access of various forms and sizes of aircraft providing adequate takeoff and landing clearance.

Process to Submit Your Application

Key Target Dates:
  • 09-March-2026 NOFO Released
  • 07-April-2026 Technical Assistance Workshop (10:00AM-11:00AM) 
  • 08-April-2026 Technical Assistance Workshop (10:00AM-11:00AM) 
  • 15-May-2026 Application Deadline
  • July 2026 Applicant Notifications
  • August 2026 Complete and Sign Grant Agreement

Application/Submission Information and Instructions 

Application deadline 15-June-2026 (5:00PM)

Application to be submitted to NCEMLTR.grant@ncdps.gov with subject line “Applicant name – Project name – Aerial Asset Accessibility Grant Application”
The application email should include a complete PDF Document structured based upon the 6 points below. The email may include additional attachments to support the project. Please make sure that you address each point below within the application. (Scoring weight in brackets):

  1. Applicant Name, Address, Contact Information, and Project Name. As well as the charter, ordinance or minutes from county commission/city council creating the airport or local airport authority or airport district pursuant to the authorities in N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 63, Article 8. (5)
  2. General description of the Project (10)
  3. Describe how the project (i) repairs, replacing, and restores infrastructure damaged by Tropical Storm Helene and (ii) build and improve capacity for emergency. (35)
  4. Scope of Work (SOW) and cost estimate for the project to achieve #3 above, including an understanding of how the estimate was achieved. (30)
  5. Timeline from approval of Grant to project completion. (10)
  6. How and who will manage the project if awarded and their qualifications. Additionally, the applicants should include their experience in managing a grant award. (10)

Competitive proposals likely will include:

  • A clear understanding of how the project (i) repairs, replacing, and restores infrastructure damaged by Tropical Storm Helene and (ii) build and improve capacity for emergency preparedness and disaster response for future natural disasters and emergencies
  • A clear understanding and agreement of the eligibility requirements.
  • A professional or engineering reports for the project.
  • A current estimate of probable cost with an understanding of how this was developed.
  • An understanding of the likely implementation for a full construction project.

Projects that are selected will require applicants to sign a Grant Agreement (MOA) and will be expected to comply with the terms of the agreement, including quarterly reporting and interim and final inspections as necessary or risk timely payment or funding. Also, applicants will be required to submit the below listed OSBM required documents/forms with the signed MOA if awarded a grant under this fund:

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