Key Takeaways
- FEMA administers $3B+ in annual grants — most flow to state/local governments, not directly to nonprofits or individuals
- BRIC (~$1B) is the largest pre-disaster mitigation program — applications go through your State Hazard Mitigation Officer, not FEMA directly
- Your community must have a current, FEMA-approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (expires every 5 years) to be eligible for most programs
- BRIC awards take 12–18 months; HMGP awards take 18–36 months — plan projects years in advance
- Nonprofits: the primary direct FEMA grant is NSGP (up to $150K) for organizations at high risk of terrorist attack
- After a presidential disaster declaration, submit a Public Assistance RPA within 30 days — this deadline is strict
Quick Answer
FEMA administers $3B+ in annual grants across preparedness, mitigation, and recovery programs.
Most FEMA grants flow to state and local governments, not directly to nonprofits or individuals. The three major program categories: Hazard Mitigation (BRIC, HMGP, FMA — pre-disaster and post-disaster infrastructure), Preparedness (EMPG, SHSP, UASI — emergency management capacity), and Public Assistance (disaster recovery for government and eligible nonprofits after a presidential declaration).
In This Article
- FEMA Grant Portfolio Overview
- BRIC: Building Resilient Infrastructure ($1B+)
- HMGP: Post-Disaster Hazard Mitigation
- Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)
- Preparedness Grants: EMPG, SHSP, UASI
- Public Assistance: Disaster Recovery
- FEMA Grants for Nonprofits
- What FEMA Grant Guides Don't Tell You
- 5 Common Application Mistakes
- FAQ
FEMA Grant Portfolio Overview
| Program | Category | Annual Funding | Who Applies |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRIC | Pre-disaster mitigation | ~$1B | State/local/tribal govts |
| HMGP | Post-disaster mitigation | Varies (disaster-linked) | State/local govts |
| FMA | Flood mitigation | ~$160M | State/local govts |
| EMPG | Emergency management | ~$385M | State/local EM agencies |
| SHSP | Homeland security | ~$415M | States (sub-award to local) |
| UASI | Urban security | ~$615M | Designated urban areas |
| NSGP | Nonprofit security | ~$305M | Qualifying nonprofits at risk |
BRIC: Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities
BRIC is FEMA's largest pre-disaster mitigation program and has grown significantly since its launch in 2020. Annual appropriations have reached approximately $1 billion, funded by a 6% set-aside from the Disaster Relief Fund.
Eligible projects:
- Infrastructure: Flood control systems, stormwater management, seismic retrofits, wind-resistant construction, utility hardening
- Nature-based solutions: Wetland restoration, living shorelines, green infrastructure — now a FEMA priority
- Community resilience: Warning systems, emergency shelters, backup power for critical facilities
- Capability and capacity building: Planning studies, community outreach, technical assistance
Cost share: 75% federal / 25% non-federal (reduced to 90/10 for Tribal applicants and communities meeting certain equity criteria). The non-federal share can be met with in-kind contributions, existing programs, or third-party match.
Application process: Applications go through your State Hazard Mitigation Officer (SHMO), who prioritizes and submits to FEMA. You cannot apply directly to FEMA — contact your SHMO 12+ months before the federal deadline.
2026 BRIC deadline: January 2026 (federal deadline, after state submission). Sub-applicant deadlines to SHMOs are typically 60–90 days earlier. Verify with your state.
HMGP: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
HMGP activates automatically after a presidential major disaster declaration. FEMA allocates HMGP funds based on 15–20% of total federal disaster assistance costs — meaning large disasters generate larger mitigation budgets.
HMGP funds must be used within the declared disaster state, but projects don't need to address the specific disaster type that triggered the declaration. If your state receives an HMGP allocation after a flood, those funds can be used for seismic retrofits or wildfire mitigation — as long as projects are cost-effective and in a state hazard mitigation plan.
Eligible applicants: State agencies, local governments, and Indian tribal governments within the declared state. Eligible projects include property acquisition (buyouts), elevation of flood-prone structures, wind retrofits, and generators for critical facilities.
Timeline reality: 18–36 months from disaster declaration to award. If your community is considering HMGP projects, begin planning and submitting to your SHMO as soon as the declaration is made.
Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)
FMA funds projects that reduce or eliminate flood claims on National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) properties. It's specifically targeted at repetitive-loss and severe-repetitive-loss properties — structures that have made multiple NFIP claims.
Priority projects: Property acquisition and demolition (highest priority), structure elevation, and floodproofing of non-residential structures. FMA prioritizes properties with the highest insurance claim history.
Funding: Approximately $160M annually. Cost share is 75% federal / 25% local, with 100% federal funding available for severe-repetitive-loss properties undergoing acquisition.
Preparedness Grants: EMPG, SHSP, and UASI
EMPG (Emergency Management Performance Grant): The foundational grant for local emergency management offices. ~$385M annually, allocated by formula to states. Local emergency management agencies receive sub-awards through their state. Requires a 50% cost match. Funds personnel, training, exercises, planning, and equipment — but not construction. If you work for a local emergency management office, this is your primary federal funding source.
SHSP (State Homeland Security Program): ~$415M annually, allocated to all 56 states and territories. Funds homeland security capabilities including cybersecurity, communications, mass casualty response, and terrorism prevention. States sub-award to local jurisdictions and regional planning bodies. Applications to your State Administrative Agency (SAA).
UASI (Urban Area Security Initiative): ~$615M annually, concentrated on high-risk urban areas (currently 38 designated urban areas). If your jurisdiction is within a UASI area, funds flow through the primary city to surrounding jurisdictions. Larger awards than SHSP but limited to designated metropolitan areas.
Public Assistance: Disaster Recovery
FEMA Public Assistance (PA) is the largest FEMA program by total dollars — following major disasters, PA can provide hundreds of millions to a single state. PA is not a competitive grant; it's activated by a presidential major disaster declaration and requires formal FEMA damage assessments.
Eligible costs: Emergency protective measures (debris removal, search and rescue), repair or replacement of damaged infrastructure (roads, bridges, utilities, public buildings), and mitigation measures applied to restored facilities.
Eligible applicants: State, local, tribal, and territorial governments, and certain private nonprofits that provide essential governmental services (utilities, hospitals, museums, educational facilities).
What to do immediately after a disaster: Contact your state emergency management agency within 30 days of the declaration to submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA). Deadlines are strict and extensions require strong justification.
FEMA Grants for Nonprofits: NSGP
The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) is the primary direct FEMA grant available to nonprofit organizations — specifically, nonprofits that are at high risk of terrorist attack due to their ideology, beliefs, or mission.
Eligible organizations: Section 501(c)(3) nonprofits that are at high risk of terrorist attack, determined through a FEMA risk assessment. Historically, houses of worship (synagogues, mosques, churches), Jewish community centers, and NGOs with specific threat profiles have been primary recipients.
Eligible costs: Security equipment (cameras, blast-resistant glass, locks, barriers), planning, training, and exercises. Not personnel or construction.
Award amounts: Up to $150,000 per award per year. ~$305M available annually, meaning roughly 2,000 organizations receive funding.
Application process: Applications go through your State Administrative Agency (SAA). Contact your SAA early — some states have limited sub-application windows.
What FEMA Grant Guides Don't Tell You
1. Your State Hazard Mitigation Officer (SHMO) is the gatekeeper for mitigation grants — not FEMA. For BRIC and HMGP, local governments apply to their SHMO, who ranks and submits prioritized applications to FEMA. If your SHMO doesn't prioritize your project, FEMA never sees it. Building a relationship with your SHMO before the application cycle is the most important strategic step for mitigation grants.
2. FEMA's Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) tool determines whether mitigation projects get funded — and many projects fail this screen. FEMA requires a benefit-cost ratio of at least 1.0 for most mitigation projects (meaning expected future benefits must exceed project costs). Projects in lower-risk areas or with less frequent but severe damage histories sometimes struggle to achieve this threshold. Consider engaging a FEMA-approved BCA consultant before investing significant time in an application.
3. Hazard mitigation plans are a prerequisite — and many communities are out of compliance. To receive most FEMA hazard mitigation grants, your local government must have a current, FEMA-approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. Plans expire every 5 years. If your plan has lapsed, you're ineligible until it's updated. Check your plan's expiration date now.
4. Public Assistance has a strict 30-day RPA deadline after disaster declaration. Most governments don't realize they must submit a Request for Public Assistance within 30 days of a presidential major disaster declaration. Missing this deadline means forfeiting PA eligibility. After a disaster, this should be the first call your local government makes to your state emergency management agency.
5 Common FEMA Grant Application Mistakes
1. Applying directly to FEMA for mitigation grants instead of going through the SHMO (~30% of uninformed applicants)
BRIC and HMGP applications must go through your state's SHMO. There is no direct application portal from local governments to FEMA for these programs. If you submit directly, your application won't be processed.
2. Proposing projects not included in your Hazard Mitigation Plan (~25%)
FEMA requires that funded projects be consistent with an approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. Projects not included in the plan — or from communities with expired plans — are ineligible. Update your plan to include your priority projects before the application cycle.
3. Underestimating the timeline for mitigation grant awards (~60% of new applicants)
BRIC awards take 12–18 months. HMGP awards take 18–36 months. Planning, designing, and budgeting for infrastructure projects that won't be funded for 2+ years requires long-range planning. Don't propose projects you need to complete in 12 months.
4. Failing the Benefit-Cost Analysis (~20% of mitigation applications)
FEMA's BCA requirement eliminates projects where expected future benefits don't exceed costs. Projects in lower-hazard areas or with limited documented damage history often fail this threshold. Run the BCA early — before submitting — using FEMA's free BCA tool or engaging a consultant.
5. Not accounting for the non-federal cost share in project budgets (~35%)
BRIC and HMGP require a 25% non-federal match. Many communities win awards and then struggle to fund their local match. Identify your match source before applying — CDBG, state revolving funds, local budget allocations, or in-kind contributions. "We will find the match" is not a plan.
Action Checklist
- Confirm your community has an approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan — FEMA will not fund projects not included in a current plan
- Register in SAM.gov and obtain a UEI number — required for all FEMA grant applications through Grants.gov
- Contact your State Hazard Mitigation Officer (SHMO) early — most FEMA mitigation grants are submitted by states on behalf of local applicants
- Run FEMA's Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) before writing your application — projects failing the BCA are automatically ineligible
- Identify your non-federal cost match source (25% for BRIC/HMGP) before applying — CDBG, state revolving funds, or local budget
- Plan for 12–36 month award timelines — do not propose projects needed within the next year
◆ Primary Sources & Further Reading
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for FEMA grants?
Most FEMA grants are available only to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments. The exception is NSGP (nonprofits at high risk of attack) and Public Assistance (which includes certain private nonprofits providing essential governmental services). Individuals can access FEMA Individual Assistance after a presidentially declared disaster — but this is direct assistance, not a competitive grant.
What is the BRIC grant program?
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) is FEMA's primary pre-disaster mitigation grant (~$1B/year). It funds infrastructure retrofits, nature-based solutions, warning systems, and capacity building for state and local governments. Applications go through your State Hazard Mitigation Officer. Cost share: 75% federal / 25% non-federal.
How long does it take to receive a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant?
HMGP awards typically take 18–36 months from disaster declaration to award. BRIC grants take 12–18 months from application to award. The long timelines require early engagement with your State Hazard Mitigation Officer — ideally 12+ months before federal deadlines.
What is the FEMA EMPG grant?
The Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) provides ~$385M/year to state and local emergency management agencies to build preparedness capabilities. It requires a 50% cost match and is allocated by formula to states, which sub-award to local agencies. Funds can be used for personnel, training, exercises, planning, and equipment.
Last updated April 2026. FEMA grant programs, funding levels, and deadlines change with annual appropriations. Verify current information at fema.gov/grants.