Unmanned Aircraft Trade and Replace Program (VA) Grant

Unmanned Aircraft Trade and Replace Program (VA) Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
Amount: Up to US $25,000
Last Updated: September 26, 2025

Summary

The Unmanned Aircraft Trade and Replace Program, funded by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, provides one-time grants to local first responder agencies in Virginia for replacing unmanned aircraft. This initiative targets aircraft manufactured by foreign adversaries, ensuring that eligible agencies can enhance their operational capabilities. The program underscores the commitment to safety and efficiency in public service, while adhering to the National Defense Authorization Act's requirements regarding unmanned aircraft.

Overview

Note: This grant program is available to replace only unmanned aircraft currently in use by eligible local Virginia first responder agencies. Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is charged with planning and carrying out programs and initiatives to improve the functioning and effectiveness of the criminal justice system as a whole (Code of Virginia § 9.1-102). The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services: conducts research and evaluation on criminal justice issues; develops short and long-term criminal justice plans; distributes federal and state funding to localities, state agencies and nonprofit organizations in the areas of law enforcement, prosecution, crime and delinquency prevention, juvenile justice, victims services, corrections, and information systems; provides training, technical assistance and program development services to all segments of the criminal justice system; establishes and enforces minimum training standards for law enforcement, criminal justice, and private security personnel; and licenses and regulates the private security industry in Virginia. Unmanned Aircraft Trade and Replace Program The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) has received a general fund appropriation to make available one-time grant funding to replace certain unmanned aircraft through the Unmanned Aircraft Trade and Replace Grant Program. Only local first responder agencies in Virginia are eligible for this grant program. Consistent with Appropriation Act language, the unmanned aircraft being replaced through this program are those manufactured by countries designated as a foreign adversary in the Code of Virginia § 55.1-507, with unmanned aircraft manufactured or assembled by a country not covered by section 1822 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2024. The countries listed in the NDAA as foreign adversaries are the People’s Republic of China (including Hong Kong), Cuba, Iran, North Korea, the Russian Federation, and Venezuela. The unmanned aircraft eligible to be replaced by this grant program are only those used by Virginia first responder agencies, including local law enforcement agencies, local fire or ambulance service providers, and other local first responders. The terms “unmanned aircraft” and “drone” as used in the Unmanned Aircraft Trade and Replace Program are interchangeable.

Eligibility

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