FY27 Appropriations and CDS Requests

FY27 Appropriations & Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) Submission Portal

Senator Murkowski’s office is now accepting federal funding requests for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027. This portal provides Alaska communities, tribes, nonprofits, and government entities the opportunity to share funding priorities and submit eligible project requests for consideration through the congressional appropriations process.

Included below are important timelines, eligibility criteria, and guidance to help you prepare a complete and competitive submission.

What This Portal Is

This portal allows eligible Alaska non-profits, tribes, communities, and governments to submit:

Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) Requests

Targeted funding requests for specific projects that meet federal eligibility requirements.

Portal opens: January 26, 2026
Portal closes: February 27, 2026

Late submissions will not be accepted.

Programmatic Appropriations Requests

Broader funding priorities across federal agencies or programs.

Programmatic portal opens after the President’s Budget Request is released.
Closing Date: to be determined

Why this matters

Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) helps restore Congress’ constitutional power of the purse by allowing Members of Congress to advocate for community-identified priorities. CDS accounts for no more than one percent of federal discretionary spending and does not increase overall federal spending levels. Without this process, many federal dollars that could support Alaska communities would be allocated elsewhere.

Eligibility

To submit a CDS request, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Applicants must be a non-profit organization, Tribe, or state or local government entity
Federal lobbyists cannot be listed as primary point of contact
For-profit entities (including Alaska Native Corporations) are not eligible recipients
Requests must demonstrate a clear federal nexus and public benefit

Important: CDS eligibility rules are set by the Senate Appropriations Committee and may change year-to-year. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review prior-year guidance as a reference point, understanding that FY27 guidance may be updated.

Click here for the FY26 CDS Requests Guidance
(This is a comprehensive guidance document)

Before You Start

New applicants are strongly encouraged to review the CDS Application Companion Guide before beginning the online form.

This short guide explains:

What makes a competitive FY27 CDS request
How to think about readiness, match, and budget realism
How the online form works (you do not need to know which subcommittee applies)
Common pitfalls to avoid
Tips for submitting early and responding to follow-up questions

Link to Companion Guide

(This is a practical, step-by-step “how-to” document)

What Makes a Strong FY27 CDS Request

Competitive requests typically include:

A clear and specific project scope
A realistic and well-documented budget
Matching funds secured or actively in progress (if applicable)
Projects that are shovel-ready or near shovel-ready (able to obligate funds within 12-24 months)
Demonstrated community support (letters from local governments, Tribes, utilities, or partners)
A clear explanation of why federal funding is appropriate

How to Submit

Complete the online submission form during the open portal window

FY27 Congressionally Directed Spending Application: https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/EForm.aspx?__cid=SenMurkowski&__fid=106
The online application cannot be saved once started. You must complete the form in one session. Applicants may click into the form to review all questions before entering responses.

Be prepared to provide:

Organization and contact information
Project summary and community benefit
Total project cost and requested CDS amount
Project readiness and timeline
Required attachments: budget documents, letters of support, plans, etc.

Submitting early allows staff time to follow up if clarification is needed.

What to Expect After Submission

All requests undergo an internal eligibility review.
Senator Murkowski’s staff may contact applicants to request clarification or additional information.
Due to limited funding and strict eligibility requirements, not all requests will move forward, and inclusion in final appropriations bills cannot be guaranteed.
Projects selected for advancement will be submitted to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.
Timing: The federal appropriations process can take 18 months or longer from initial submission to funds being available. Applicants should plan accordingly.

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FY26 Congressionally Directed Spending Requests

(Project amounts in the links below are in the thousands, with three zeroes added - $000)

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

Energy and Water Development

Financial Services and General Government

Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies

Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies

Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies

Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies

Homeland Security