9/11 Memorial Act Grant Program | P23AS00413

9/11 Memorial Act Grant Program FAQs

What is the 9/11 Memorial Act Grant Program?

The 9/11 Memorial Act Grant Program is a competitive federal grant opportunity administered by the National Park Service. It is intended to support the ongoing operation, security, and maintenance of on-site memorials located at the September 11, 2001 attack locations.

What is the main purpose of this grant program?

The program is designed to help sustain eligible 9/11 memorials over time by covering practical, day-to-day needs tied to keeping the sites open, safe, and properly maintained for visitors and for the communities and families they serve.

Is this grant meant to fund the construction of new memorials?

No. The funding is not aimed at building new memorials in other locations. It is narrowly focused on supporting on-site memorials at the actual September 11 attack sites.

Who runs or administers the grant?

The opportunity is run by the National Park Service as a federal discretionary (competitive) grant program.

What does it mean that this is a discretionary grant?

It means funding is awarded through a competitive selection process rather than being distributed by a formula. Not all eligible applicants are guaranteed an award.

What is a "covered memorial" under this program?

A "covered memorial" must be located in the United States and must have been established to commemorate the events of September 11, 2001 and honor the victims of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, specifically at the sites of those attacks. Eligibility is tied both to purpose (commemorating and honoring 9/11 victims) and to location (on-site at the World Trade Center and Pentagon attack locations).

Which locations are eligible as covered memorial sites?

Based on the program definition provided, covered memorials are those located at the World Trade Center site and the Pentagon site where the September 11, 2001 attacks occurred.

Does the covered memorial need to be located in the United States?

Yes. A covered memorial must be located in the United States.

What kinds of activities or needs can the grant support?

The program supports the ongoing operation, security, and maintenance of eligible on-site memorials. It is focused on practical needs connected to keeping the memorials open, safe, and properly maintained.

Are there public access requirements to qualify?

Yes. To qualify as a covered memorial for this grant, the memorial must meet specific free-admission requirements for certain groups and must also provide free admission hours to the general public at least once each week.

Which groups must receive free admission?

The memorial must provide free admission to active and retired members of the military, registered first responders to the 9/11 attacks, and family members of victims of the attacks.

Are free public hours required for everyone?

Yes. In addition to free admission for specified groups, the memorial must offer free admission hours to the general public at least once each week.

Why does the program include free admission and public access requirements?

These requirements are built into the grant program to ensure broad public access and to recognize groups with direct connections to the events of September 11, 2001.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to specific nonprofit organizations. Applicants must be organizations described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and exempt from taxation under section 501(a).

Does the applicant have to be a nonprofit with 501(c)(3) status?

Yes. The applicant must be a 501(c)(3) organization and tax-exempt under section 501(a), as stated in the program requirements.

Does the nonprofit have to have existed by a certain date?

Yes. The organization must have existed as of the date the 9/11 Memorial Act was enacted.

Does the nonprofit need a specific mission focus to be eligible?

Yes. The organization mission focus must be the operation and preservation of a covered memorial.

Does the applicant need to own or operate the memorial?

Yes. Eligible entities must own and/or operate the covered memorial as defined by the program.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The listed award ceiling for this opportunity is $4,000,000.

What is the opportunity number for this grant?

The opportunity number is P23AS00413.

What is the CFDA (Assistance Listing) number?

The CFDA (assistance listing) number provided is 15.964.

What is the legal authority for this grant program?

The funding authority is the 9/11 Memorial Act (H.R. 6287 / Public Law 115-413). This law sets boundaries for what types of memorials and applicants can be supported under the program.

When was this opportunity created and when did it close?

The opportunity was created on June 9, 2023, with an original closing date of July 13, 2023.

Is this program focused on long-term sustainability of memorial sites?

Yes. The stated intent is to help sustain eligible memorials over time by supporting ongoing operations, security, and maintenance.

Can a 9/11 memorial located somewhere other than the attack sites apply?

Based on the provided definition, the program is narrowly focused on on-site memorials located at the World Trade Center and Pentagon attack sites, and is not aimed at memorials in other locations.