This is the first blog in a new series exploring transportation-related grant opportunities. This post highlights the Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) — a critical source of funding that helps ports nationwide strengthen their security posture. Below, we discuss key elements of the program while highlighting the services Hagerty provides to help ports advance their PSGP objectives.
Why Port Security Matters
The United States’ (US) ports are vital hubs for global commerce. They deliver billions of dollars in cargo each day and support millions of jobs nationwide, including positions that sustain the military and US force projection. Because the nation relies so heavily on maritime and port industries, protecting them from potential threats has never been more critical.
Cyberattacks, infrastructure disruptions, and physical threats pose serious and persistent challenges, threatening supply chains and national security. To address these risks, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has allocated $90 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 funding to the PSGP. This investment strengthens security and resilience across the sector, fortifying the nation’s critical infrastructure against evolving threats.
Port Security Grant Program Overview
The PSGP is a primary source of funding for enhancing the security of maritime and port operations. The program supports projects that identify and prevent threats, respond to and recover from incidents, and mitigate future security challenges. By investing in these initiatives, the program improves the overall resilience and operational efficiency of ports and the maritime industry.
Program Eligibility
DHS and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) ensure that grant funding is available to cities, townships, special districts, counties, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and for-profit organizations other than small businesses. Additionally, all entities subject to an Area Maritime Security Plan (AMSP) may also apply for PSGP funding.
Funding History
Since its establishment in 2001, the PSGP has received consistent annual funding from DHS, totaling roughly $3.2 billion in funding across 4,800 grants. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, DHS allocated $90 million to the program. While the application window for this cycle closed on August 15, 2025, future applicants can apply for the next PSGP through FEMA’s Grant Outcomes (GO) Portal.
Complementing Cybersecurity Funding
Ports may also leverage complementary funding through the FY 2025 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) ($91.7 million) and the FY 2025 Tribal Cybersecurity Grant Program (TCGP) ($12.1 million). These programs share similar objectives with the PSGP, including implementing security protections and ensuring the continuity of operations amid disruptions. Leveraging these funds alongside the PSGP can further enhance a port’s resilience against ongoing and emerging physical and cyber threats.
How Hagerty Supports Ports
Hagerty serves as a strategic partner for port authorities and their stakeholders, helping navigate federal, state, and other funding sources to strengthen resilience, enhance infrastructure, and achieve meaningful outcomes. Our team is uniquely positioned to support clients at every stage of the grant and project management lifecycle, ensuring they understand funding opportunities, eligibility criteria, and how awarded funds can generate lasting impact through comprehensive project delivery.
In particular, Hagerty has assisted our port clients in administering PSGP awards through initiatives such as:
- Planning for emergency operations, response, and restoration, including developing hazard-specific annexes.
- Supporting public information, warning systems, and crisis communications.
- Designing, conducting, and evaluating both discussion-based and operations-based exercises, addressing topics such as alert and warning, emergency coordination, recovery, and resilience.
- Developing and executing multi-year training and exercise plans and programs.
- Coordinating and delivering various emergency management-related trainings.
- Providing advisory services for Emergency Operations Center (EOC) design and operations, supporting policy updates, and assisting with regional coordination efforts.
Through these efforts, Hagerty helps clients maximize the impact of awarded funding while proactively strengthening their security and emergency preparedness.
Expanding the Impact of PSGP Funding
The PSGP’s 2025 Notice of Funding (NOFO) emphasizes that a broad range of projects aligned with the Planning, Organizing, Equipping, Training, and Exercising (POETE) framework are eligible for the program. Below are examples of Hagerty’s services that can be easily adapted for port authorities nationwide.
| P — Planning |
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| O – Organizing |
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| E – Equipping |
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| T – Training |
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| E – Exercising |
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Hagerty Can Help
Whether administering newly awarded funds or preparing for future grant opportunities, Hagerty helps clients position themselves for success. Over the past 23 years, our team has supported communities and organizations in securing, managing, and administering roughly $95 billion in federal funds, including $69 billion in FEMA Public Assistance (PA) funds. We work closely with clients to align priorities with the right grant opportunities and leverage funding for measurable, lasting results.
With Hagerty’s strategic guidance and hands-on support, our clients can translate funding into stronger security, improved operational resilience, and long-term readiness for future threats.