Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant

The Flood Mitigation Assistance program is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide financial support for activities that reduce or eliminate long-term risk of flood damage to structures insured under the National Flood Insurance Program. The program is designed to lessen the financial burden on the insurance system while increasing community resilience to flooding hazards. It operates as a federal grant program with funding distributed to eligible applicants who then coordinate subawards to local entities. The primary objective of the program is to fund mitigation activities that address repetitive flood loss and reduce future claims. The program supports three major categories of activities: capability and capacity building, localized flood risk reduction projects, and individual flood mitigation projects. These activities may include planning, project scoping, technical assistance, infrastructure improvements, and property-level mitigation actions. The funding prioritizes projects that demonstrate measurable reductions in flood risk and benefit properties covered under the National Flood Insurance Program. Funding for the program is substantial, with hundreds of millions of dollars made available nationally. Allocations are divided across project types, including capacity-building initiatives, community-scale mitigation projects, and individual property interventions. While funding caps vary by project category, some large-scale projects may receive significant funding support, particularly those addressing widespread community risk. The program also allows a portion of funds to be used for management and administrative costs associated with implementation. A cost-sharing requirement applies to most awards. Standard projects typically require a 75 percent federal share and a 25 percent non-federal match. However, enhanced cost share options are available for properties classified as repetitive loss or severe repetitive loss, where federal contributions may increase to 90 percent or up to 100 percent respectively. Matching contributions may be provided through cash or in-kind resources but must comply with federal regulations and eligibility requirements. Eligible applicants include state governments, U.S. territories, and federally recognized tribal governments, which serve as primary applicants. Local governments such as cities, counties, townships, and special districts may participate as subapplicants. All applicants and subapplicants must participate in the National Flood Insurance Program and maintain an approved hazard mitigation plan by the application deadline. Projects must directly benefit insured structures and align with mitigation planning goals. The application process requires submission through the FEMA Grants Outcomes system. Applicants must complete standard federal forms and include project-specific documentation such as benefit-cost analyses, environmental compliance information, and detailed project scopes. Subapplicants coordinate with their state or tribal applicant agency for submission. The process includes a Notice of Intent phase followed by a full application submission. FEMA evaluates applications based on eligibility, cost-effectiveness, technical feasibility, and alignment with program priorities. The timeline for this funding cycle includes a Notice of Intent deadline in mid-June and a final application deadline in mid-July, with federal submission deadlines extending into early August. The period of performance for awarded projects is typically 36 months from the date of award. FEMA conducts a structured review and selection process, prioritizing projects that provide the greatest reduction in flood risk and financial exposure. Program contacts include FEMA regional offices and designated helplines for technical and administrative assistance.

Prioritize projects that demonstrate clear reduction in NFIP claims and strong cost-effectiveness; ensure mitigation plans are approved and align with project scope; submit complete geospatial and supporting documentation