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Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG)

The Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The EMPG program provides assistance to support a comprehensive all hazards preparedness system. It is designed to assist in the development and sustainment of emergency management capabilities across the prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery mission areas.

HSEMD serves as Iowa’s designated state administrative agency and the state’s emergency management agency (EMA). HSEMD receives Iowa’s designated allocation upon successful application approval. The state is not required to pass through any funding to localities. The distribution of EMPG funds from the state to localities is at the discretion of the state EMA.

There is a required match for EMPG. The federal share that is used toward the EMPG Program budget may not exceed 50 percent of the total budget.

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Application period is OPEN

The 2023 EMPG application period is OPEN.

The deadline for submitting a Notice of Interest is Monday, April 22, 2024.

The deadline for submission of the application is Friday, May 31, 2024.

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Contact

For more information or if you have any questions about the EMPG program, please contact Michael Cayer.

Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs

PURPOSE
FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs provide funding opportunities for pre- and post-disaster mitigation. Together, these programs provide significant opportunities to reduce or eliminate potential losses to state, tribal and local assets through hazard mitigation planning and project grant funding. Each HMA program was authorized by separate legislative action, and as such, each program differs slightly in scope and intent.

ELIGIBILITY
Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grants are provided to eligible applicant states, tribes, and territories that, in turn, provide subgrants to local governments. The applicant selects and prioritizes applications developed and submitted to them by local jurisdictions to submit to FEMA for consideration of funding. Currently, there are three sub-programs:

  • Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
  • Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program
  • Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program

Iowa HSEMD HMA Funding Opportunities Briefing (YouTube)

Iowa HSEMD HMA Funding Opportunities Briefing (PowerPoint)

Iowa HSEMD HMGP Applicant Briefing (YouTube)

HMGP funding becomes available only when a Presidential Disaster Declaration is made. BRIC and FMA funding are available annually.

FEMA-approved local hazard mitigation plans are required in order to receive mitigation funding for state or local mitigation projects through the Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant program.

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Contact

Hazard Mitigation Program Contact:
Dusty Pogones, State Hazard Mitigation Program Supervisor, or HSEMDMitigation@iowa.gov

Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (STRLF)

HSEMD is currently exploring the possibility of establishing a revolving loan fund to finance hazard mitigation projects. This state fund would be established under a national STRLF program recently established by FEMA, authorized by Congress in the Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM) Act. We intend to submit an application to FEMA for a capitalization grant (at least $5.1 million) to establish the fund. As part of this application, we have published a call for proposals and a draft intended use plan (IUP) for public comment. Please see the documents below for more information on the program, and submit project ideas to Dusty Pogones using the Project Proposal List spreadsheet.

Opportunity for Non-Financial Technical Assistance

If your community is in need of technical resources, including mapping and engineering analysis, in order to identify possible solutions to mitigate impacts from future flood events please see the bulletin for requesting help from HSEMD and our state and federal partners. A brief questionnaire can be completed here to provide additional information for review.

Flyer – Get Help to Understand Your Flooding and the Options to Address It

Applying for funding

  1. First steps: Submit your NOIExcel versions of the Notice of Interest (NOI) form will no longer be accepted for mitigation funding applications. NOIs must be submitted through the EMGrantsPro web-based grant management system. If you are not already registered in EMGrantsPro, please follow the instructions below to do so. After you have registered, you may submit your NOI via EMGrantsPro (instructions on how to do this are also posted below).
  2. Submit an ApplicationAfter you have submitted your NOI, you may be asked to make an application.

Requesting Additional Access in EMGrantsPro (MB3)

If you currently have a username and password for the EMGrantsPro (MB3) system, you will need to request access for new grants. To do this, you will need to open a support ticket.

FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA Go) – BRIC and FMA programs

If you currently have a username and password for the EMGrantsPro (MB3) system, you will need to request access for new grants. To do this, you will need to open a support ticket.

FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO) is a new grants management system that will support FEMA grants programs. The system allows users to apply, track, and manage all disaster and non-disaster grants. It also improves oversight and monitoring.

FEMA GO is continually being developed by the Grants Management Modernization (GMM) initiative, which is transforming the way we manage grants through modernization and consolidation of existing grant programs into one system.

FEMA Grants Outcome (FEMA GO) for Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants

Additional resources include:

  • User Guides
  • Sub-application development guides

FEMA GO – Instructional videos

Click on the tabs below to learn more about the grant programs.

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program

The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program is an annual nationally competitive funding source for disaster mitigation projects that typically opens up for applications in late September and has an application deadline of late December.

FEMA will establish the application deadline for states to submit their application. Submitting a Notice of Intent at an earlier time could be advantageous as more time is allowed for HSEMD to provide application development and technical assistance. HSEMD is required to review, provide comments on, and to rank each local application that it submits to FEMA.

For additional information, please see:
FY 2023 BRIC NOFO
Notice of Funds Availability (BRIC 2023)
FY 2023 BRIC NOFO Fact Sheet

2023 schedule for submitting a full BRIC or FMA application

Date Event
October 13 – 16, 2023 Email campaign to cities/counties/COGs for BRIC/FMA NOI submissions
Continuously Open Submit Notice of Interest in EMGrants
Jan 12, 2024*

Sub-applications due in FEMA-Go
(*Hard deadline required for next review step)

January 15 – 19, 2024 HSEMD prioritization scoring panel
January 22 – 24, 2024 Sub-applicant meetings
February 2, 2024 CCB Final draft sub-application due in FEMA-Go
February 15, 2024 Final draft sub-application due in FEMA-Go
February 29, 2024 State application submitted
Resources for BRIC

FEMA has developed resources to assist sub-applicants with project and planning sub-applications. Tools for the BRIC program can be found in the links below:

Capabilities & Capacity Building (C&CB)

The Notice of Intent deadline also applies for potential sub-applicants for the state set-aside funding available for C&CB projects and plans under the BRIC NOFO (FY22 NOFO for reference). C&CB activities must result in a resource, strategy, or tangible mitigation product that will reduce or eliminate risk and damage from future natural hazards, increase resiliency, and promote a culture of preparedness. Read the brief C&CB support material for a list of eligible project scoping activities. The map below shows last year’s C&CB submissions with the selected proposals as green stars.

BRIC program FEMA Guidance and additional resources

Building Code Effectiveness Grading Scale (BCEGS) Ratings and BRIC

The Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS) assesses community building codes and their enforcement, with special emphasis on mitigation of losses from natural hazards.  It is an independent assessment that results in a rating score of 1 (best) to 10, based on 2018 or newer versions of the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC).

The BCEGS rating score is one of the criteria in the Technical Evaluation of applications and can account for a significant portion of the technical score.  To receive the point allotment for this criterion, a subapplicant at the local level (including those located in territories) must have a BCEGS rating between 1 and 5 (considered by FEMA as a disaster-resistant code) when the application is submitted.

For additional information about BCEGS and how your BCEGS rating, or lack thereof, can impact your application scoring and potential to obtain funding under the BRIC programs please see the links below.

Build America Buy America Act (BABAA)

As part of President Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, beginning with awards received on or after May 14, 2022, any infrastructure project receiving federal funding must source their iron, steel, manufactured products and construction materials from the United States. BABAA DOES apply to non-disaster grants (BRIC, FMA, PDM, EMPG, HSGP, others). BABAA DOES NOT apply to disaster grants (HMGP, PA).

For more information pertaining to the Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA) in relation to Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) programs please see:

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) - ACCEPTING NOIs

DR-4732 application is OPEN. Deadline: June 30, 2024

Please follow the directions above under APPLYING FOR FUNDING for directions on registering in EMGrantsPro and submitting an NOI.

Purpose

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides grants to states, local governments, and Native American tribes for long-term hazard mitigation projects after a major disaster declaration. The purpose of the program is to reduce the loss of life and property in future disasters by funding mitigation measures during the recovery phase of a natural disaster. States receive HMGP funding when a Presidential Disaster Declaration has been made.

Planning

Safe Rooms

Acquisitions/Elevations/Relocation

Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program

 

Purpose

The Flood Mitigation Assistance program was created to assist States and communities in implementing measures that reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage to buildings insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). There are three types of FMA grants available to states and communities:

  • Planning Grants to prepare flood mitigation plans;
  • Project Grants to implement measures to reduce flood losses, such as elevation, acquisition, or relocation of NFIP-insured structures; and
  • Management Cost Grants for the State to help administer the FMA program and activities

The Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program is an annual nationally competitive program that provides an opportunity for communities to initiate projects that provide mitigation of damages to NFIP insured structures. Repetitive Loss and Severe Repetitive Loss properties are prioritized for funding.

FEMA will establish the application deadline for states to submit their application. In order to meet FEMA’s deadline, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEMD) must receive local intent to complete sub-applications by July 31, 2023. Submitting a Notice of Intent at an earlier time could be advantageous as more time is allowed for HSEMD to provide application development and technical assistance. HSEMD is required to review, provide comments on, and to rank each local application that it submits to FEMA.

For additional information, please see:
FY 2023 FMA NOFO
Notice of Funds Availability (FMA 2023)
FY 2023 FMA NOFO Fact Sheet

FMA Program–FEMA Guidance and Additional Resources

Historic Preservation: Found artifacts during recovery grant execution

 

Historic Preservation

In the course of executing your disaster recovery grant, you may encounter previously unknown cultural/historic artifacts. The Office of the State Archaeologist should be contacted if any archaeological deposits (artifacts) are exposed so that they can be investigated and the extent of the site determined.

Additionally, HSEMD and the State Historic Preservation Office must be informed to take proper action. In accordance with the Code of Iowa 263B, if human remains are unintentionally exposed, you must cease work immediately, secure the area, and contact local law enforcement and/or the county medical examiner. If the remains are determined to be ancient (greater than 150 years old), the Office of the State Archaeologist’s Bioarchaeology Program must also be notified.

See more information on Historic Preservation.

Property Acquisitions

 

Acquisition Projects: Forms and Resources

In the course of administering a hazard mitigation acquisition project, the following forms and resources will facilitate a smooth process for property owners and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.

 

Start Up:
Acquisition and Demolition:

Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP)

The Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety and Security Reauthorization Act of 2005 authorizes the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide assistance to public sector employees through training and planning grants to states, territories, and Native American tribes for emergency response. The purpose of this grant program is to increase state, territorial, tribal, and local effectiveness in safely and efficiently handling hazardous materials accidents and incidents, enhance implementation of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA), and encourage a comprehensive approach to emergency training and planning by incorporating the unique challenges of responses to transportation situations.

The Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grant program is intended to provide financial and technical assistance as well as national direction and guidance to enhance state, territorial, tribal, and local hazardous materials emergency planning and training. The HMEP grant program distributes fees collected from shippers and carriers of hazardous materials to eligible Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) for hazmat planning and training.

HMEP grant funds are administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. HSEMD serves as the State Administrative Agency (SAA) for HMEP grants in Iowa.

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Application Period is Closed

The local application period is now CLOSED.

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Contact

For more information or if you have questions about the HMEP grant program, please contact Lisa Sexton.

Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP)

The Homeland Security Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and consists of these sub-programs:

  • State Homeland Security Program (SHSP)
  • Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI)
  • Operation Stonegarden (OPSG)

These grant programs fund a range of preparedness activities, including planning, organization, equipment purchase, training, exercises, and management and administration across all core capabilities and mission areas.

HSEMD is the State Administrative Agency (SAA) for SHSP and is the only entity eligible to submit application to FEMA.

Pass-through funding is made available by the SAA to eligible sub-recipients as sub-grants. Eligible applicants for SHSP sub-grants include local units of government, combinations of local units, tribal government, or other specific groups or organizations such as school districts, council of governments, institutions of higher education, and non-profit organizations. State agencies are eligible to apply to administer projects that benefit local entities.

Iowa’s notices of funding opportunities will be posted in EMGrants. Visit EMGrants online. Historically, not only is there a yearly grant funding opportunity posted, but previous year’s grant reallocation opportunities may become available. Viable and eligible projects for reallocation funds must not only meet the priorities of the grant, but also be able to quickly execute activity within a shortened timeframe.

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Application Period is Closed

The application period for fiscal year 2024 HSGP sub-grants is now CLOSED.

In times when the application periods are not open, review previous years’ objectives, priorities, and allowable costs by visiting FEMA’s website, specifically in the “Notice of Funding Opportunities and Supporting Documents” sections for each fiscal year listed. Visit FEMA’s HSGP page.

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Contact

Please contact Tara Dowd for additional information on SHSP.

Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) is administered through FEMA and consists of two sub-programs:

  • NSGP-S: For nonprofit organizations located outside of the specific federal year’s UASI-designated Urban Areas.
  • NSGP-UA: A sub-component of the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI). UASI Urban Areas are designated each year within the federal HSGP notice of funding opportunity.

Iowa has been eligible to receive funding through the NSGP-S. HSEMD is the State Administrative Agency (SAA) for NSGP-S and is the only entity eligible to submit an application to FEMA.

Pass-through funding is made available by the SAA (HSEMD) to eligible sub-recipients as “sub-grants.” Eligible nonprofit organizations for sub-grants are organizations that are:

  1. Determined to be at high risk of a terrorist attack by the Secretary of Homeland Security, and
  2. Described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (IRC) and exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of the same code. Please refer to the following links for additional information:

Note: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does not require certain organizations such as churches, mosques, and synagogues to apply for and receive a recognition of exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the IRC. Such organizations are automatically exempt if they meet the requirements of section 501(c)(3). These organizations are not required to provide recognition of exemption. For organizations that the IRS requires to apply for and receive a recognition of exemption under 501(c)(3), the state may or may not require recognition of exemption, as long as the method chosen is applied consistently.

Iowa’s notices of funding opportunities will be posted in EMGrantsPro. Visit EMGrants online. In times when the application periods are not open, review previous years’ objectives, priorities, and allowable costs by visiting FEMA’s website, specifically the “Notices of Funding Opportunities and Supporting Documents.” Click to visit FEMA’s NSGP page.

NSGP Winter Webinar Series  (PDF format)

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Application Period is CLOSED

The local application period is now CLOSED.

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Contact

For more information or if you have questions about the NSGP grant program, please contact Lisa Sexton.

Click on the tabs below to learn more about the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) application.

Who is eligible?

 

Iowa nonprofits must apply to HSEMD (the SAA). An eligible nonprofit organization that may apply for the NSGP-S grant under the FY 2024 NSGP notice of funding opportunity is:

  • Described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (IRC) and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such code; and
  • Able to demonstrate, through the application, that the organization is at high risk of a terrorist attack.

Note: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does not require certain organizations such as churches, mosques, and synagogues to apply for and receive a recognition of exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the IRC. Such organizations are automatically exempt if they meet the requirements of section 501(c)(3). These organizations are not required to provide recognition of exemption. For organizations that the IRS requires to apply for and receive a recognition of exemption under 501(c)(3), the state may or may not require recognition of exemption, as long as the method chosen is applied consistently.

What is NSGP?

 

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) is one of three grant programs that support the U.S Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) focus on enhancing the ability of state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, as well as nonprofit organizations, to prevent, prepare for, protect against, and respond to terrorist or other extremist attacks. These grant programs are part of a comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress and implemented by DHS to help strengthen the nation’s communities against potential terrorist or other extremist attacks.

The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEMD) is the State Administrative Agency (SAA) for the NSGP grant and is the only entity eligible to apply for NSGP funds. The SAA applies to FEMA on behalf of eligible nonprofit organizations (sub-applicants) that are at high risk of terrorist or other extremist attack. Eligible nonprofit organizations are those organizations described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code.

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) is a competitive grant program intended to provide federal funding for physical security enhancements and other security-related activities to nonprofit organizations that are at risk of a terrorist attack. The NSGP seeks to integrate the preparedness activities of nonprofit organizations with broader state and local preparedness efforts.

How to Apply

 

To apply for NSGP funds in Iowa, interested nonprofit organizations must apply through HSEMD. To allow time for interested nonprofit organizations to complete all requirements of the state and federal application process, HSEMD chooses to open our state application process prior to the release of the Federal Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

NSGP is funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency. The federal appropriations and state allocations have not yet been announced. HSEMD is moving forward with the sub-grant application phase per FEMA’s recommendation for states to be planning projects for this grant.

To apply, please register your nonprofit organization in my.IowaHomelandSecurity.org. This is the grants portal HSEMD uses for all federal grant applications. Once registered and have received a password, login to your HOME page and Apply for Grant. This first step is the Notice of Interest (NOI). It is the first step in a multi-step on-line application process. Once you receive notice that your NOI is approved, you will now have access to your on-line State of Iowa application. Completion of your on-line State of Iowa application is a required step to apply for NSGP funding through HSEMD.

Application Required Elements

 

The following materials must be submitted with your state on-line application as a part of a complete application package. The following documents are required:

1. Investment Justification (Federal form) – nonprofits are eligible to apply for up to $150,000 per building, for no more than three buildings for a maximum of $450,000 per nonprofit. Only one building per Investment Justification (application) Each building must have its own physical address and be occupied at the time of application.

Iowa Sub-recipient estimated Period of Performance State Date – September 1, 2024
Iowa Sub-recipient estimated Period of Performance End Date – June 30, 2026

FEMA Projected Period of Performance Start Date – September 1, 2024
FEMA Projected Period of Performance End Date – August 31, 2027

2. Vulnerability Assessment – Nonprofits applying for NSGP must have a current vulnerability assessment completed for each building for which funds are being sought.

a. Please note that any vulnerability assessments completed prior to the application cannot be more than 3 years old. Vulnerability assessments must include defined vulnerabilities and options for consideration to mitigate vulnerabilities.

b. A vulnerability assessment must be completed by one of the three options listed below:

1. Assessment by the State of Iowa (HSEMD)
2. Assessment by Law Enforcement
3. Assessment by Vulnerability Assessment Services Providers

*Contracting with a vulnerability assessment service provider will not be a reimbursable expense under NSGP.

c. A vulnerability assessment completed utilizing a self-assessment tool or vulnerability assessment service provider other than the State of Iowa (HSEMD) will be required to have an official letter from local law enforcement validating the vulnerabilities and options for consideration identified from the self-assessment.

d. A copy of a valid vulnerability assessment and/or other documentation, as outlined above, must be submitted as part of the completed application.

3. Obtain Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number documentation – To apply for federal funding opportunities, a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is required.

4. IRS 501c3 nonprofit designation documentation

5. Mission Statement – please reference the NSGP Applicant Quick State Guide for Mission Statement requirements.

6. HSEMD Required Documents

7. HSEMD Budget Workbook

HSEMD will conduct an initial review and scoring of applications received and will submit a combined application to FEMA that includes all eligible applications. FEMA will make the final selection of award sub-recipients. Award announcements are anticipated in late summer 2024. Once HSEMD receives the federal grant award and list of selected sub-recipients, HSEMD will notify those selected and issue sub-awards.

FEMA will offer informational webinars for FY2024 NSGP. We encourage you to join one of these webinars to get additional information on the program and what FEMA is looking for during their scoring and selection process. HSEMD will notify nonprofits registered in the HSEMD grants portal when webinar opportunities are posted.  Information will also be added to this web page as they become available.

HSEMD Notice of Funding Opportunity

 

HSEMD Notice of Funding Opportunity  (PDF format)

NSGP Winter Webinar Series  (PDF format)

Reference Documents

The following are application documents from FY 2023 NSGP. Updated documents will be provided once FEMA opens their FY 2024 application process.

Questions?

Please contact Lisa Sexton, NSGP Program Manager, at lisa.sexton@iowa.gov or 515-218-4002.

STATE AND LOCAL CYBERSECURITY GRANT PROGRAM (SLCGP)

The State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) is through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)/Resilience/Grant Program Directorate (GPD) and is authorized by Section 2220A of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended (Pub. L. No. 107-296) (6 U.S.C. § 665g). The goal of SLCGP is to assist state, local, and territorial (SLT) governments with managing and reducing systemic cyber risk. The SLCGP targets cybersecurity investments in SLT government agencies, thus improving the security of critical infrastructure and improving the resilience of the services.

 The Office of Chief Information Officer (OCIO) has oversight of the SLCGP and funded activities. HSEMD serves as the State Administrative Agency (SAA) for submitting the application to FEMA.

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The local application period has not opened yet. Please watch for the application period to open. 

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For more information or if you have questions about SLCGP, please contact the Office of Chief Information Officer (OCIO).

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