FY26 National Dam Safety Program State Assistance Program

The National Dam Safety Program State Assistance Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Resilience, Hazard Mitigation Directorate, Hazard Mitigation Assistance Division. The National Dam Safety Program is a partnership of states, federal agencies, and other stakeholders intended to promote effective federal and state dam safety programs and reduce risks to human life, property, and the environment from dam related hazards. Its congressionally mandated functions include national leadership, technical assistance, and public awareness. The program seeks to identify deficiencies and risks associated with dams, increase awareness of dam infrastructure risks and risk reduction actions, advance dam safety and risk management practices, and support risk informed preparedness and resilience. The program expects to make approximately 50 awards from total funding of 7486000, with an expected award range of 50000 to 500000. Eligible activities include targeted safety inspections and condition assessments of high hazard potential dams and reservoirs, development or updating of Emergency Action Plans, and regulatory enforcement actions involving unsafe high hazard potential dams. Funding may also support targeted public outreach and assessment tools for measuring outreach effectiveness, identification and implementation of state dam safety program best practices, risk identification and prioritization methodologies, cybersecurity awareness programs, and professional education, workshops, and training. Grant funds may not be used to construct or repair federal or nonfederal dams. International travel requires advance FEMA approval. Management and Administration costs and pre-award costs are not allowed. Indirect costs are allowed subject to applicable FEMA requirements. Only eligible applicants with an approved state dam safety program authorized by state legislation may apply. Eligible applicants are states other than Alabama and Puerto Rico. Subapplicants are not allowed, and each applicant may submit only one application. There is no cost share requirement. However, a State Assistance award may not exceed four times the amount of funds committed by the state for dam safety activities. The program also imposes a maintenance of effort requirement. A state may receive assistance only if its total spending from all other sources on dam safety programs intended to protect human life and property is at least equal to the average annual amount it spent during the two preceding fiscal years. Documentation must be on official letterhead, signed by an authorized official, and confirm compliance with this requirement. Applications must be submitted through FEMA GO. Applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier and Employer Identification Number, a login.gov account, an active SAM.gov registration, and a FEMA GO registration with the organization added and an Authorized Organizational Representative established. The application package integrates the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance, Grants.gov Lobbying Form, SF-424A Budget Information for Non-Construction, SF-424B Standard Assurances for Non-Construction, and SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities. Applicants must also submit the required maintenance of effort documentation. If applicable, the application must describe how activities funded by the program will address national level risk specified in Executive Order 14239. Applicants should allow substantial preparation time because the NOFO estimates an average public reporting burden of 375 hours per response and notes that the registration process can take up to four weeks. FEMA regional staff review applications for their applicable regions. Applicants that fail to satisfy eligibility or application submission requirements are removed from consideration. FEMA reviews applications for conformance with applicable laws, executive orders, regulations, policies, the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program and Policy Guide, and the funding opportunity requirements. FEMA also reviews scopes of work, milestone workplans, and maintenance of effort documentation. States unable to document state appropriated funds are ineligible. Funding amounts are determined before application submission under the statutory requirements, and entities submitting eligible and complete applications receive their predetermined funding amount. FEMA also conducts financial integrity and risk reviews. Where applicable, applicants should demonstrate broader strategic value, including contributions to multistate, regional, or national capabilities and national level risks aligned with Executive Order 14239. The projected application opening date is August 18, 2026, and applications are due September 2, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. There is no pre-application requirement. System related problems must be reported to FEMA by 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date, and applications received after the submission deadline will not be accepted. FEMA anticipates making funding selections on September 15, 2026 and awards on September 30, 2026. The projected period of performance is September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2028, with a single 24 month budget period. General program questions may be directed to the appropriate FEMA Regional Office or the HMA Helpline at fema-hmahelpline@fema.dhs.gov. FEMA Grants News is available at fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov or 800-368-6498. FEMA GO technical assistance is available at femago@fema.dhs.gov or 877-585-3242. Recipients must submit financial and performance progress reports quarterly and complete final closeout reporting within 120 calendar days after the end of the period of performance.

Submit a complete and eligible application because failure to meet eligibility or submission requirements removes the application from consideration. Ensure the scope of work and milestone workplan clearly align with allowable activities and program objectives. Provide complete Maintenance of Effort documentation because states unable to document state appropriated funds are ineligible. Where applicable demonstrate broader multistate, regional, or national strategic value and explain how activities address national level risk aligned with Executive Order 14239. Begin registration well before the deadline because FEMA states the registration process can take up to four weeks.