FloridaCommerce Announces Opening of Application Cycle for Defense Reinvestment Grant and Florida Defense Support Commission Grant Programs

~ Application cycles for the Defense Reinvestment Grant (DRG) and Florida Defense Support Commission (FDSC) Grant programs are open beginning today through July 7, 2026 ~

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Today, FloridaCommerce announced the opening of an application cycle for two military and defense grant opportunities, pending funding availability. Application cycles for the Defense Reinvestment Grant (DRG) and Florida Defense Support Commission (FDSC) Grant programs are open beginning today, June 8, 2026, through July 7, 2026, to benefit military communities and military installations throughout the state. Eligible applicants include defense-dependent local governments and economic development councils representing a local government with a military installation.

"The opening of this grant cycle continues Governor Ron DeSantis' mission to ensure Florida remains the most military and veteran-friendly state in the nation," said Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. "With more than $40 million invested into Florida's military communities through Florida's military and defense grant programs since 2019, Florida is strengthening critical infrastructure and bolstering workforce readiness-building economic resilience and promoting long-term growth that supports Florida's servicemembers."

Applicants must email their applications to [email protected] no later than 5 p.m., Eastern Time, on July 7, 2026, for both grant programs. Activation of these grant cycles is dependent on the finalization of the state budget.

These programs have supported a wide range of projects across the state, helping communities protect mission critical military installation, attract investment and create job opportunities tied to Florida's growing defense and aerospace sectors-helping to ensure Florida's military communities remain strong, resilient and positioned for long-term economic success.

The Defense Reinvestment Grant (DRG) provides support for community-based activities that protect existing military installations, diversify the economy of a defense-dependent community, or develop plans that facilitate the reuse of closed or realigned military installations, such as developing and implementing strategies that will help communities support the mission of military installations.

Previously awarded projects include:

• The Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast - to create a wastewater treatment study, coordinate advocacy efforts, and execute an economic development council communications plan.
• Florida's Great Northwest - to fund the analysis of the veteran and transitioning military workforce in Northwest Florida to create an information pipeline for Florida's Great Northwest, Inc. (FGNW) and local economic development organizations to accurately promote the number of individuals and their skillsets.
• One Okaloosa Economic Development Council - to implement strategies that support and protect local military installations, missions and ranges, and to assist in diversifying the military dependent economy with Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM)-based industry and job growth.

The Florida Defense Support Commission (FDSC) Grant program provides and administers grant awards to preserve and protect Florida's military installations. The awards assist with economic and workforce development efforts, support military missions, businesses, and families through planning and research, and improve the state's military-friendly environment for servicemembers, their families, and military retirees

Some previously awarded projects include:

• The City of Jacksonville - to implement encroachment protection and compatible land use for Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport, and Outlying Field Whitehouse.
• Polk County - to protect Avon Park Air Force Range from encroachment through the acquisition of a conservation easement to prevent incompatible land use.
• The University of West Florida - to develop a pilot program which helped students prepare security clearance applications and understand the process of applying for a security clearance, while also facilitating internships with Florida-based defense companies requiring clearances.
  For additional questions and assistance with the application process, please contact [email protected]. Any updates, additions, and clarifications regarding the application cycle will be posted as an addendum on the Office of Military and Defense Military Community Programs page.