State Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Recruitment and Retention Grant

State Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Recruitment and Retention Grant Program seeks applications for up to $25,000 in funding made available by the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES). Funding to support this program is made available through section 99-q of the State Finance Law. This grant opportunity is designed to support the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters and emergency services personnel.

Organizations that are located within and serve the State of New York are eligible to apply. Eligible organizations include: volunteer fire companies or fire departments, municipalities and/or fire districts applying on behalf of fire departments, fire companies and/or emergency services organizations operating under the authority of that municipality or district and comprised of 50% or more volunteers; volunteer emergency medical service organizations or statewide organizations representing volunteer firefighters and emergency service personnel.

The program’s primary objectives are to support organizational leadership development through education and training and to develop and implement recruitment and retention programs and materials.

Applications will be accepted through 5:00PM on September 10, 2025, through the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ (NYS-DHSES) electronic grants management system (E-Grants). For the Request for Applications (RFA) please visit the DHSES website: https://www.dhses.ny.gov/state-funded-programs or contact the DHSES Grant Hotline at (866) 837-9133.