9/11 Memorial Act Grant

The 9/11 Memorial Act Grant Program, administered by the National Park Service under the Department of the Interior, provides competitive grants to support the operation, security, maintenance, preservation, and public accessibility of on-site memorials commemorating the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Eligible memorials, referred to as covered memorials, must be located at the attack sites and offer free admission to active and retired military personnel, registered first responders to the attacks, and family members of victims, in addition to providing free public admission at least once per week. The program aims to ensure these memorials remain safe, accessible, and educational for future generations, with a specific focus on increasing visitation by economically disadvantaged populations. Funding is limited to a total program appropriation of $4 million, with individual awards ranging from $100,000 to $4 million, and an estimated 1 to 3 awards anticipated. Applicants must demonstrate a 1:1 cost share, adhere to strict budget realism, and show measurable outcomes in security, maintenance, preservation, and public education. All applicants must be registered in SAM.gov with a Unique Entity Identifier and must submit applications through Grants.gov prior to the August 5, 2026 deadline. A mandatory initial review screens for eligibility and responsiveness, eliminating non-compliant applications before merit-based evaluation. Evaluation is based on four equally weighted criteria—Project Need, Project Budget, Project Impact on Operation Security and Maintenance, and Project Impact on Preservation and Education—each scored on a 0–10 point scale using standardized descriptors. Budgets must reflect reasonable costs, low indirect expenses, and firm financial commitments, with preference given to applicants with lower indirect cost rates when all other factors are equal. Risk assessments under 2 CFR 200.206 will be conducted on all applicants, examining financial integrity, past performance, and administrative capacity, with additional SAM.gov reviews required for awards exceeding $350,000. Compliance with federal regulations is strict and includes adherence to 2 CFR 200.329 for performance reporting using the SF-425, mandatory disclosure of conflicts of interest under 2 CFR 1402.112 and 200.113, and reporting of any issues that materially impair award objectives. Applicants must also comply with lobbying disclosure requirements via SF-LLL if requesting over $100,000, submit