FEMA has published funding notices for two resilience grant programs for more than $3 billion to help communities become more resilient to climate change and associated extreme weather events and other hazards.
The funding level for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) annual grant program will more than double to nearly $2.3 billion while the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) funding level will see a five-fold increase to $800 million.
The funding will help communities increase resilience to heat waves, drought, wildfires, flood and hurricanes by preparing before disaster strikes. Funding has increased from $700 million in FY20 and $1.16 billion in FY21.
The funding opportunities infuse over $900 million through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, more commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The law increases the amount of funding for both programs.
The Flood Mitigation Assistance and BRIC programs provide funds to states, local communities, tribes and territories for eligible mitigation activities to strengthen the nation’s ability to build a culture of preparedness. These pre-disaster programs fund projects that invest in a more resilient nation, reduce disaster suffering and avoid future disaster costs, particularly in disadvantaged communities in the face of extreme heat and more severe floods, wildfires and hurricanes.
The application period for the BRIC and Flood Mitigation Assistance grants will open Sept. 30 and be available on Grants.gov.
Eligible applicants must apply for funding using FEMA Grants Outcomes, the agency’s grants management system. Submit applications in FEMA Grants Outcome Portal no later than 3 p.m. ET on Jan. 27, 2023. Applications received by FEMA after this deadline will not be considered for funding.
FEMA is also hosting a 10-part webinar series to help potential applicants navigate the application process.
Interested applicants should contact their hazard mitigation officer for more information. For more information visit FEMA.gov.
Equity
Aligning with the administration’s Justice40 Initiative, the Flood Mitigation Assistance and BRIC programs aim to deliver at least 40% of the overall benefits of climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, clean water and other investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, overburdened, and underserved.
Using money from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, FEMA is increasing the federal cost share to 90% for socially vulnerable communities to lower the financial burden on certain resilience activities. The agency may assist federal recognized tribal governments and disadvantaged communities with enhancing Benefit-Cost Analysis for mitigation projects to meet eligibility requirements.
FEMA anticipates these actions will help minimize the gap of continued oversubscription to these grant programs and address growing resilience needs nationwide.
Direct Technical Assistance
FEMA is expanding investment in the BRIC’s non-financial Direct Technical Assistance to at least 40 communities in the next grant cycle to help build capacity and capability at the local level.
Direct Technical Assistance reduces barriers that prevent some communities from accessing the BRIC program. FEMA is transforming the initiative to a more flexible, customer-focused format to support more communities with building and sustaining successful mitigation programs, submitting high-quality applications and implementing new and innovative projects that reduce risk and increase resilience.
FEMA will share additional information about Direct Technical Assistance with stakeholders. They may also visit the BRIC Direct Technical Assistance webpage to find information and detailed instructions on submitting an application.
The agency anticipates opening the submission period no later than Sept. 30, 2022. Communities interested in participating have until Jan. 27, 2023 to submit an application.
Visit fema.gov for more information about Hazard Mitigation Assistance.