Fiscal Year 26 Community Assistance Program - State Support Services Element (CAP-SSSE)

The Community Assistance Program – State Support Services Element is a federal funding opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The program is part of FEMA’s broader floodplain management and resilience efforts and is specifically designed to support state and territorial agencies responsible for coordinating the National Flood Insurance Program. These agencies, designated as NFIP Coordinating Agencies, play a central role in ensuring that communities adopt and enforce floodplain management standards that meet federal minimum criteria. The program reflects FEMA’s ongoing commitment to reducing flood risk nationwide by strengthening state-level capacity and oversight. The primary purpose of this cooperative agreement is to enable states and territories to effectively manage flood risk, reduce disaster-related losses, and improve long-term resilience in flood-prone communities. Through this program, FEMA provides funding and technical support to help states conduct compliance audits, provide technical assistance, and enhance community engagement related to floodplain management. The program also supports strategic planning, training, and adoption of higher regulatory standards that exceed minimum NFIP requirements. By investing in state-level capacity, FEMA aims to improve compliance, increase preparedness, and reduce recovery costs associated with flood events. Funding under this program supports a defined set of allowable activities aligned with NFIP administration. These include management and administration costs, participation in FEMA systems and meetings, support for minimum NFIP standards, and direct engagement with communities. Additional eligible costs include indirect costs, equipment, supplies, domestic travel, and contracted services directly tied to program activities. However, several restrictions apply. Funds may not be used for construction, floodplain mapping, international travel without approval, or activities covered by other federal programs. The program also excludes lobbying, vehicle purchases, and certain administrative duplications, ensuring that funds are focused strictly on floodplain management outcomes. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is limited to designated NFIP Coordinating Agencies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. These entities must demonstrate the capability to carry out responsibilities outlined in federal regulations and must maintain a valid Tiered State Framework assessment. Only one application per eligible agency is permitted, and subawards or subapplicants are not allowed. Applicants must also meet financial integrity requirements and demonstrate the ability to manage federal funds effectively. Participation requires compliance with federal statutes, policies, and reporting requirements. The application process is conducted through FEMA’s Grants Outcomes system and requires prior registration in SAM.gov and Grants.gov. Applicants must submit a complete application package including standard federal forms, a detailed budget, and a statement of work developed using FEMA’s Activity Planning and Pricing Tool. Draft planning materials must be submitted to FEMA regional coordinators for review one week prior to the application deadline. Applications are evaluated based on eligibility, alignment with program priorities, and the applicant’s capacity to achieve proposed performance targets. The application timeline for this funding opportunity begins with an anticipated opening date in mid-July and closes in August, with final submissions due by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on the deadline date. Award decisions are expected shortly after the application period, with final awards issued by the end of the fiscal year. The period of performance aligns with a one-year budget cycle, beginning in early July and ending the following June. Recipients are required to submit quarterly financial and performance reports and must comply with all post-award administrative and monitoring requirements. Program evaluation and performance measurement are central to the CAP SSSE structure. FEMA monitors grantee performance using metrics such as map adoption rates, community engagement levels, adoption of higher standards, and improvements in community compliance. Grantees must negotiate and meet annual performance targets and maintain accurate records within FEMA systems. Failure to meet program requirements may result in corrective actions or funding adjustments. The program operates on an annual cycle, and eligible agencies may apply each year provided they meet all eligibility and performance criteria.

Align proposed activities with NFIP compliance priorities demonstrate measurable performance targets and ensure budget justification is defensible