Grants & Finance

Emergency Management Preparedness Grants

The purpose of the Emergency Management Preparedness Grant (EMPG) Program is to make grants available to assist local, tribal and state governments in preparing for all hazards, as authorized by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) Title VI of the Stafford Act authorizes FEMA to make grants for the purpose of providing a system of emergency preparedness for the protection of life and property in the United States from hazards and to vest responsibility for emergency preparedness jointly in the Federal Government, States, and their political subdivisions.

RIEMA is pleased to announce we are now accepting applications for the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG). The Emergency Management Performance Grant supports the goal of Readying the Nation for Catastrophic Disasters. We invite all of our stakeholders and partners to also adopt these priorities and join us in building a stronger Agency and a more prepared and resilient Nation.

Key Points: The application must include the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

• The NOFO gives specific guidance on what projects are eligible for funding as well as the criteria for eligible applicants.
• Entities that are eligible to apply will need to follow the instructions within the NOFO which calls for an Investment Justification (IJ), a Vulnerability/Risk Assessment, and a Mission Statement.

Entities applying must submit the documents package together in an email to: EMA.Grants@ema.ri.gov.

Submissions must be made to RIEMA by 12:00 PM, Friday - May 7, 2021.

Hazard Mitigation Grants

The Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant program is designed to provide funding to protect life and property from future natural disasters. Currently, there are four programs:

• Pre-Disaster Mitigation provides funds for hazard mitigation planning and projects on an annual basis.
• Hazard Mitigation Grant Program assists in implementing long-term hazard mitigation measures following a major disaster.
• Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) will support states, local communities, tribes and territories as they undertake hazard mitigation projects, reducing the risks they face from disasters and natural hazards.
• Flood Mitigation Assistance provides funds for projects to reduce or eliminate the risk of flood damage to buildings that are insured under the National Flood Insurance Program on an annual basis.

Mitigation Grants Opportunities

1. Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
Information related to the FEMA post-disaster hazard mitigation grants

HMGP Funding
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Allocations for COVID-19 Declarations: On August 5, 2021, FEMA announced every state, tribe, and territory that received a major disaster declaration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic will be eligible to receive 4% of those disaster costs to invest in mitigation projects that reduce risks from natural disasters.

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) - $26,828,651 available statewide. In alignment with the “State Hazard Mitigation Plan (SHMP)” mission statement, the State prioritizes projects that reduce loss of life, and protect natural resources, property, infrastructure, public health, and the economy from natural hazards and climate change impacts through the development of integrated hazard mitigation and climate adaptation projects.

The HMGP provides funds to states, territories, tribal governments, and other communities after a disaster, to reduce or eliminate future risk to lives and property from natural hazards. The intent for funding of hazard mitigation plans and projects is to reduce the need for the reliance on taxpayer-funded federal assistance for disaster recovery. Mitigation also minimizes overall risk to lives and property. State and local governments, tribal organizations, and certain private non-profits may be eligible to apply for funding to cover projects including:

• Storm-water upgrades
• Drainage and culvert improvements
• Property acquisition
• Slope stabilization
• Infrastructure protection
• Seismic and wind retrofits, and
• Structure elevations
• Wildfire Mitigation

HMGP funding is available to all communities in the RI that meet the sub-applicant and project eligibility requirements. Federal funding for this grant program is available following a major federal disaster declaration. HMGP funds are available based on a percentage of the total Public Assistance and Individual Assistance programs. The HMGP is competitive statewide and is authorized under Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

FEMA’s hazard mitigation grant programs are not intended to fund repair, replacement, or deferred maintenance activities. They are designed to assist sub-applicants in developing long-term, cost-effective improvements that will reduce or eliminate risk of damage to people and property caused by natural hazards. Projects that address operation, deferred or future maintenance, repairs or replacement (without a change in the level of protection provided) of existing structures, facilities, or infrastructure (e.g., dredging, debris removal, replacement of obsolete utility systems, bridges and facility repair/rehabilitation) are not considered eligible mitigation grant activities.

Individuals and businesses are not eligible to apply for HMA funds; however, an eligible Applicant or sub-applicant may apply for funding on behalf of individuals and businesses.

Application Period: FEMA-4505-DR HMGP opened August 5, 2021.
If you are interested in applying, the first step is to submit a “Notice of Intent (NOI)” via the links below. You will be providing us with general information on your project, so that we can be better understand your project and guide you towards the appropriate grant program, and other considerations that you may need as you develop your full application package. Information and instructions on how to submit a full application will be provided to each applicant and will vary depending on the grant program.

FY 2021 HMGP NOI click here.

2. Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)

RIEMA is pleased to announce we are now accepting applications for Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC). The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities is a new FEMA pre-disaster hazard mitigation program that replaces the existing Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program. The priorities for the BRIC program are to:

• Incentivize public infrastructure projects;
• Incentivize projects that mitigate risk to one or more lifelines;
• Incentivize projects that incorporate nature-based solutions;
• Incentivize adoption and enforcement of modern building codes.

Key Points: FEMA has published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the BRIC grant program. RIEMA encourages reviewing the BRIC NOFO before applying, as it provides detailed information and other grant application and administration requirements.

Applicants will submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) via email to the State Hazard Mitigation Officer at Melinda.Hopkins@ema.ri.gov.

The deadline to submit a NOI for funding considerations must be made to RIEMA by 3:00 PM, Friday - September 17, 2021.

3. Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)

RIEMA is pleased to announce we are now accepting applications for Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA). The FMA grant program strengthens national preparedness and resilience and supports the mitigation mission area through FEMA’s strategic goal of building a culture of preparedness. Eligible Activities:

• Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL) (B)(ii):
• Repetitive Loss (RL)
• SRL (B)(i)

Key Points: FEMA has published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the FMA grant program. RIEMA encourages reviewing the FMA NOFO before applying, as it provides detailed information and other grant application and administration requirements.

Applicants will submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) via email to the State Hazard Mitigation Officer at Melinda.Hopkins@ema.ri.gov.

The deadline to submit a NOI for funding considerations must be made to RIEMA by 3:00 PM, Friday - September 17, 2021.

Homeland Security Grant Program

The Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) supports the implementation of State Homeland Security Strategies to address the identified planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercise needs to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events.

RIEMA is pleased to announce we are now accepting applications for the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP). We invite all of our stakeholders and partners to also adopt these priorities and join us in building a stronger Agency and a more prepared and resilient Nation.

Key Points: The application must include the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

• The NOFO gives specific guidance on what projects are eligible for funding as well as the criteria for eligible applicants.
• Entities that are eligible to apply will need to follow the instructions within the NOFO which calls for an Investment Justification (IJ), a Vulnerability/Risk Assessment, and a Mission Statement.

Entities applying must submit the documents package together in an email to: EMA.Grants@ema.ri.gov.

Submissions must be made to RIEMA by 12:00 PM, Friday - May 7, 2021

Preparedness Grants Administration

The Sub-Recipient Grant Management Handbook serves as a primary reference manual to safeguard federal grant funds and ensure they are used for the purposes for which they were awarded. This handbook will serve as a day-to-day management tool for sub-recipients in administering grant programs.

RIEMA is pleased to respond to any questions not covered by this handbook and welcomes suggestions to improve the utility and content of the handbook. Please contact the Grants Division at (401) 946-9996 with any questions or suggestions.

Non-profit Security Grant Program

RIEMA is pleased to announce we are now accepting applications for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). The Nonprofit Security Grant Program supports the goal of Readying the Nation for Catastrophic Disasters. We invite all of our stakeholders and partners to also adopt these priorities and join us in building a stronger Agency and a more prepared and resilient Nation.

Key Points:

• The NOFO gives specific guidance on what projects are eligible for funding as well as the criteria for eligible applicants.
• Entities that are eligible to apply will need to follow the instructions within the NOFO which calls for an Investment Justification (IJ), a Vulnerability/Risk Assessment, and a Mission Statement.

Application period is closed. Additional NSGP Information listed below..