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
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.
HSEMD is 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 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 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.
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.
After you have submitted your NOI, you may be asked to make an application.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS) Ratings & 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.
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:
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. 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.
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.
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.
