FEMA Mitigation Grant Programs

Jurisdictions which have adopted a local FEMA approved Hazard Mitigation Plan are eligible for hazard mitigation funding through FEMA grant programs.  The following three FEMA grant programs currently provide hazard mitigation funding:

  • Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
  • Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM)
  • Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)

Grant Cycle

HMGP – This is a mitigation program that is funded after a Presidential Disaster Declaration.   Funds are initially awarded in the counties of the Disaster Declaration; applications are opened up statewide if funds remain.

PDM and FMA – The approximate grant cycle for these programs is:

  • June/July – FEMA publishes the Unified Guidance for the grant programs
  • Notices of Interest (NOIs) are due at SEMA as soon as possible
  • mid October – Grant applications are due at SEMA
  • December – SEMA sends applications to FEMA

(Funds may not be awarded until late summer/fall of the following year.)

Project Eligibility

Some basic equirements for an eligible mitigation project are:

  • The proposed activity must independently solve a problem.
  • The proposed activity must not be under the jurisdiction of another federal agency (e.g. levee projects are under the jurisdiction of the US Army Corps of Engineers.)
  • The jurisdiction applying for mitigation funds must have a mitigation action in their local hazard mitigation plan related to the project for which funds are sought.

Eligible mitigation activities for the different programs are shown in the following chart:

Eligible Activities for FEMA Mitigation Grant Programs
HMGP PDM FMA
Mitigation Projects X X X
Property Acquisition and Structure Demolition or Relocation X X X
Structure Elevation X X X
Mitigation Reconstruction
Dry Floodproofing of Historic Residential Structures X X X
Dry Floodproofing of Non-residential Structures X X X
Minor Localized Flood Reduction Projects X X X
Structural Retrofitting of Existing Buildings X X
Non-structural Retrofitting of Existing Buildings and Facilities X X
Safe Room Construction X X
Infrastructure Retrofit X X
Soil Stabilization X X
Wildfire Mitigation X X
Post-disaster Code Enforcement X
5% Initiative Projects X
Hazard Mitigation Planning X X X
Management Costs X X X
Source: FEMA Mitigation Grant Programs Fact Sheet (Please note: 2 grant programs discussed in this fact sheet  – RFC and SRL – are no longer in existence)

For more information on FEMA mitigation grant programs:
State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Mitigation Information website

For questions about a potential project:
Elizabeth Weyrauch
State Hazard Mitigation Officer, SEMA