FEMA Grants Guide 2026: HSGP, PA, BRIC & More

FEMA is one of the largest grant-making agencies in the federal government, but it's also one of the most confusing. Unlike agencies such as NIH or DOE where you search Grants.gov for open opportunities, FEMA's grant portfolio splits into two fundamentally different categories that work on completely different timelines and processes.

The first category is preparedness grants. These are annual, competitive or formula-based programs with predictable NOFOs, application deadlines, and award cycles. The second category is disaster grants. These only become available after a presidential disaster declaration, and they follow a completely different application process driven by real-time damage assessments and state coordination.

FEMA routes have different eligibility rules, cost shares, and application systems. This guide identifies the appropriate first route and the source that must be checked before an application is planned.

July 2026 FEMA First-Click Screen

Use the trigger first, then the program.

Grantsights pattern: The durable answer is a trigger screen. Disaster declaration, terrorism risk, fire-service applicant, mitigation plan, and state pass-through status decide the route before project topic does.

Next route: Pair this FEMA overview with the free grant database and the eligibility checker. Use this page for route logic, then check active records before planning an application.

July 2026 FEMA Grant Route Table

FEMA traffic is volatile because one search phrase can mean disaster repair, terrorism preparedness, fire staffing, mitigation, or individual survivor help. Pick the trigger before picking the program.

According to FEMA, FEMA GO (opens in a new tab) is the grants management system for applying to, tracking, and managing disaster and non-disaster grants. According to FEMA, the Public Assistance process (opens in a new tab) uses a federal share that is not less than 75% of eligible cost unless a specific rule sets another share. According to FEMA, the FY2025 NSGP fact sheet (opens in a new tab) listed $274.5M, and the FY2026 NSGP notice (opens in a new tab) estimated $300M, and its application window closed July 24, 2026.

For example, one county hospital with roof damage after a presidential disaster declaration should test Public Assistance first, while one synagogue seeking cameras and access control because of credible threat risk should test NSGP through the state process before looking at broad preparedness grants.

Source Review by Grantsights

Checked July 2026.

Grantsights rechecked FEMA grant hubs, Preparedness Grants, Public Assistance, mitigation grant pages, NSGP notices, FEMA GO routing, and fire-grant pages against award patterns in the Grantsights database. According to FEMA Grants (opens in a new tab), FEMA separates preparedness, mitigation, fire, nonprofit security, and disaster assistance programs. According to FEMA Preparedness Grants (opens in a new tab), many preparedness grants flow through state administrative agencies rather than directly to local applicants. According to FEMA Public Assistance (opens in a new tab), eligible applicants include governments and certain private nonprofits after a declared disaster. According to the FY 2025 NSGP fact sheet (opens in a new tab), NSGP had $274.5 million available for eligible nonprofit security projects in FY2025. According to the FY2026 NSGP notice (opens in a new tab), FY2026 funding was estimated at $300 million, and that window closed July 24, 2026.

A common mistake is picking a FEMA program by project topic alone. For example, one nonprofit hardening a facility may belong in NSGP, while a hospital repairing declared-disaster damage may belong in Public Assistance, and a county flood project may belong in HMGP or another mitigation route.

Decision checklist:

What Official Sources Don't Tell You

Official FEMA pages explain each program, but they do not resolve the route conflict when one project could be preparedness, mitigation, security, or disaster recovery. The practical gap is trigger logic: declared disaster, terrorism risk, state pass-through priority, or future-risk reduction. Use the free grant search to find current FEMA notices, then confirm state pass-through deadlines directly with your State Administrative Agency.

Transit recovery has its own source check. A damaged rail, bus, ferry, or transit facility project may belong in FTA's Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program rather than FEMA PA, HMGP, or BRIC. Use the FTA record when the asset is public transportation and the funding question is repair, replacement, recovery, or transit resilience after an emergency.

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FEMA Preparedness Grants: The Annual Programs

Preparedness grants are the "predictable" side of FEMA funding. Congress appropriates a set amount each year, FEMA publishes NOFOs, and eligible applicants have a defined window to apply. Here's every major preparedness program.

Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP)

The Homeland Security Grant Program supports state, local, Tribal, and territorial preparedness activities. The active NOFO sets total funding, subprogram allocations, eligible jurisdictions, and any required state pass-through terms. According to the FY2026 HSGP notice (opens in a new tab), FEMA estimated $1,064,000,000 for FY2026, required no cost share, and listed maintenance of effort as not applicable. The FY2026 application window ran June 24 to July 24, 2026 and has closed.

State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) is a state-administered preparedness route. Local applicants should confirm the current state subgrant process, allowable activities, and pass-through terms before drafting.

Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) supports eligible high-threat, high-density urban areas designated under the current risk process. The active notice controls designations, allocations, and priority activities.

Operation Stonegarden (OPSG) provides funding to state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies for border security operations. OPSG funds overtime, travel, and equipment for joint operations with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

How to apply: States apply directly to FEMA through FEMA GO. Local governments don't apply directly for HSGP. Instead, your state Administrative Agency (SAA) manages the application and distributes funds as subgrants. Contact your state homeland security office to learn about your state's subgrant process and priorities.

Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)

NSGP supports eligible nonprofits that face terrorism risk through the State Administrative Agency. The FY2025 fact sheet listed $274.5 million. The FY2026 NSGP notice (opens in a new tab) estimated $300 million and was open June 24 to July 24, 2026, so the FY2026 cycle has closed. Check the next notice and your state process for the following cycle.

Who's eligible: Any 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that can demonstrate it's at high risk of a terrorist attack. This includes houses of worship, community centers, schools, and cultural institutions. You'll need to describe your risk in the Investment Justification, including specific threats your organization has received or credible threat information.

What it covers: Physical security enhancements (barriers, cameras, access control, lighting), cybersecurity improvements, security planning, and security-related training. Awards can range from $25,000 to several hundred thousand dollars depending on the state and program tier.

Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG)

EMPG provides formula-based funding for emergency-management capability. Funding, cost share, and state pass-through terms are established by the active notice. According to the FY2026 EMPG notice (opens in a new tab), FEMA made $337,250,000 available, and the application window ran June 15 to July 15, 2026, so it has closed. We cover the route in detail in our EMPG guide.

• 50/50 federal-to-local cost share (not the usual 75/25)
• Formula allocation based on state population
• The full allocation is obligated to the state emergency management agency, which decides whether to make local subawards
• Supports all five mission areas: prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery

AFG, SAFER, and FP&S Fire Grants

These programs fund fire departments and fire-safety organizations directly, making them unusual among FEMA grants because local departments apply to FEMA rather than going through their state.

Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) funds eligible equipment, training, and health-and-safety activities for fire departments, nonaffiliated EMS organizations, and other eligible organizations. The active notice controls funding, applicant types, and any cost share.

Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) provides funding to hire new firefighters or rehire laid-off firefighters. The goal is helping departments meet staffing standards under NFPA 1710 (career departments) and NFPA 1720 (volunteer departments), according to FEMA's SAFER page (opens in a new tab). SAFER grants cover salary and benefits for a defined period, after which the department must retain the positions.

How to apply: These programs use FEMA GO. The cited FY2025 application window has closed; check the fire-service grants page (opens in a new tab) for the next program-specific notice and deadline.

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FEMA Disaster Grants: Triggered by Declarations

Disaster grants don't follow an annual application cycle. They become available only after the president declares a major disaster or emergency. Here are the three primary disaster grant programs.

Public Assistance (PA): The Largest FEMA Program

Public Assistance is typically FEMA's biggest single program by dollar volume, reimbursing state, local, tribal, and territorial governments and certain nonprofits for disaster response and recovery costs. The federal share is at least 75% of eligible costs, with the state and local government covering the remaining 25%, according to the FEMA PA process page (opens in a new tab).

PA covers seven categories of work:

Emergency Work (must be completed within 6 months of the declaration):

• Category A: Debris removal from public roads, waterways, and property
• Category B: Emergency protective measures to save lives and protect property

Permanent Work (must be completed within 18 months of the declaration):

• Category C: Roads and bridges
• Category D: Water control facilities (dams, levees, drainage channels)
• Category E: Buildings and equipment
• Category F: Utilities (water, sewer, power)
• Category G: Parks, recreational facilities, and other public infrastructure

Those deadlines come from 44 CFR 206.204 (opens in a new tab) and run from the declaration date to project completion, not to the start of work. Extensions are possible but must be requested and justified.

Who's eligible: State, local, tribal, and territorial governments. Private nonprofits that provide essential government-like services (utilities, emergency services, medical care, shelters, education) are also eligible. For-profit businesses are not eligible for PA.

How to apply: After a disaster declaration, contact your local or state emergency manager and submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) through the PA Grants Portal. FEMA assigns a Program Delivery Manager to work with you on documenting eligible costs.

Individual Assistance (IA): Direct Help for Households

Individual Assistance provides grants directly to individuals and households affected by declared disasters. The maximum IHP (Individuals and Households Program) grant is $44,800 for housing assistance and $44,800 for other needs for emergencies and major disasters declared on or after October 1, 2025, according to the September 29, 2026 Federal Register notice (opens in a new tab). For disasters declared in FY2025 (October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025), the cap was $43,600 for each, per the 2024 notice (opens in a new tab). IA is a true grant that doesn't need to be repaid.

What IA covers:

• Rental assistance for temporary housing
• Home repair grants (to make a damaged home safe and habitable)
• Home replacement assistance
• Other needs: medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, moving and storage

Important: IA is not meant to make you whole. It covers basic needs to help you recover. For larger losses, FEMA refers applicants to SBA disaster loans, which is a critical step you shouldn't skip.

How to apply: Register with FEMA at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362, or at a Disaster Recovery Center. You don't need to go through your state.

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)

HMGP provides funding after a disaster declaration to reduce the risk of future disaster damage. The federal share is typically 75%, with 25% coming from non-federal sources. HMGP funding is calculated as a percentage of the total federal disaster assistance for each declared disaster, so larger disasters generate more HMGP funding, according to FEMA's HMGP page (opens in a new tab).

What it funds: Property acquisition and demolition, structural retrofitting, infrastructure protection, localized flood risk reduction, and development of hazard mitigation plans. The 25% non-federal match can come from state or local government funds, in-kind services, or even SBA disaster loans.

Who's eligible: State, local, tribal, and territorial governments. Individuals and businesses can benefit through buyout and elevation programs administered by their local government.

How to apply: Subapplications go through your state hazard mitigation officer to FEMA via FEMA GO. States prioritize projects based on their State Hazard Mitigation Plan.

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Pre-Disaster Mitigation: BRIC and Flood Mitigation Assistance

These programs fund mitigation projects before a disaster happens, unlike HMGP which activates after a declaration.

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)

BRIC funds pre-disaster hazard-mitigation projects. FEMA announced $1 billion for the combined FY2024 and FY2025 cycle, but the July 23, 2026 application deadline has passed. Do not treat that figure or date as an open opportunity.

Program history note: BRIC experienced significant upheaval in 2025. FEMA announced in April 2025 that it was ending the program and canceling all FY 2020-2023 applications. However, a federal court ruled in December 2025 that the termination was unlawful and issued a permanent injunction restoring the program, according to a Congressional Research Service analysis (opens in a new tab). BRIC is now operational again with a new application cycle.

What it funds: Eligible activities and cost shares are stated in the applicable mitigation notice. Confirm the next BRIC notice, state process, mitigation-plan requirement, and benefit-cost requirements before preparing a subapplication.

Who's eligible: State, local, tribal, and territorial governments apply as subapplicants through their state. Applications go through FEMA GO.

Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)

FMA provides mitigation funding for flood-risk reduction. Property insurance, applicant route, eligible activities, and cost share must be confirmed in the current FMA notice.

What it funds: The program has supported activities such as acquisition, elevation, floodproofing, and localized flood-risk reduction, subject to the active notice and project eligibility.

Cost share: Do not assume a universal ratio. The current FMA notice determines federal share, including treatment of repetitive-loss properties.

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FEMA GO: The Grants Management System

FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO) is the online system where applicants submit, track, and manage most FEMA grants, according to the FEMA GO overview (opens in a new tab). Here's what you need to know:

Which programs use FEMA GO:

• All Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs (BRIC, FMA, HMGP)
• AFG and SAFER
• HSGP (state-level applications)
• EMPG (state-level applications)

Which programs don't use FEMA GO:

• Public Assistance uses the PA Grants Portal
• Individual Assistance uses DisasterAssistance.gov
• Some programs still use Grants.gov for initial application

Getting started:

1. Register for a FEMA GO account at go.fema.gov (opens in a new tab)
2. Your organization needs an active SAM.gov registration with a valid UEI number
3. Complete the user profile and associate your organization
4. Access program-specific application forms

FEMA provides detailed user guides and video tutorials on the FEMA GO Resource Library (opens in a new tab). If you're a first-time applicant, start here before opening an application.

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Cost Share: Read the Program Terms

Public Assistance has a federal share of not less than 75% of eligible cost unless a specific rule sets another share. FEMA does not use one agency-wide match rule for preparedness, mitigation, fire, and disaster programs.

For every application, verify the federal share, source and valuation of nonfederal contributions, timing of eligible costs, and whether federal funds may be used as match. These rules come from the current NOFO, award terms, declaration, and applicable FEMA policy.

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Who's Eligible: A Program-by-Program Breakdown

Eligibility varies dramatically across FEMA programs. Here's a quick reference:

The pattern is clear: most FEMA grants flow through states. If you're a local government, tribal government, or nonprofit, start by contacting your state emergency management agency or state Administrative Agency to understand what's available as a subgrant.

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How to Apply: Step-by-Step for Each Program Type

For Preparedness Grants (HSGP, EMPG, NSGP)

1. Contact your state Administrative Agency (SAA). These grants flow through states, so your state SAA is your first stop. Find your SAA on FEMA's website.
2. Review the active NOFO and state materials. The current notice and state process establish priorities, eligible activities, deadline, and application requirements.
3. Submit your subgrant application to the state. Each state has its own subgrant process, timeline, and investment justification format.
4. The state compiles and submits to FEMA through FEMA GO.
5. Award and performance period. Use the period stated in the active notice and award terms.

For Fire Department Grants (AFG, SAFER)

1. Register on FEMA GO with your fire department's UEI and SAM.gov registration.
2. Watch for the active NOFO and application window on FEMA's fire-service grants page.
3. Submit directly through FEMA GO. Unlike most FEMA grants, fire departments apply directly to FEMA, not through their state.
4. Peer review and scoring. Applications are reviewed by panels of fire service professionals.

For Disaster Grants (PA, HMGP)

1. Wait for a presidential disaster declaration in your area.
2. For PA: Submit a Request for Public Assistance through the PA Grants Portal within 30 days of the declaration.
3. For HMGP: Contact your state hazard mitigation officer and submit a subapplication through FEMA GO.
4. Document everything. Keep detailed records of all disaster-related costs, including labor, equipment, materials, and contracts.

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What FEMA Grants Management Specialists Doesn't Tell You

Environmental and historic-preservation review can control project start. For construction, renovation, ground-disturbing, or other potentially affected work, confirm the applicable review requirements before committing to construction or procurement.

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding is only available after a presidential disaster declaration for that specific incident. You can't apply for HMGP proactively. But you can prepare project applications in advance so they're ready to submit when a declaration opens the funding window.

Mitigation applications depend on the current cycle. The FY2024-25 BRIC window closed July 23, 2026. Work with the relevant state or Tribal mitigation contact to identify the next available route and any pre-application requirements.

For current source records, compare the FY2024 and FY2025 BRIC record and the FEMA Individuals and Households record. BRIC is an eligible-applicant mitigation route, while IHP is survivor assistance after a declared disaster.

Related Guides

• Grants For Individuals
• Grants For Churches
• FEMA BRIC winners and award history
• Grants For Climate Adaptation
• Best Grants For Disaster Relief Nonprofits 2026
• Emergency Management Performance Grant
• SBA Disaster Loans vs. Grants

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Sources

• FEMA Grants Overview (opens in a new tab)
• FEMA Homeland Security Grant Program (opens in a new tab)
• FEMA Public Assistance Process (opens in a new tab)
• FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (opens in a new tab)
• FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO) (opens in a new tab)
• FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (opens in a new tab)
• FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grants (opens in a new tab)