FLOOD MITIGATION ASSISTANCE
FMA
Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMA) is authorized by Section 1366 of the National Flood Insurance Act (NFIA) of 1968, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4104c, with the goal of reducing or eliminating claims under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
The FMA grant program supports cost-effective measures to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage to structures insured under NFIP. This nationally competitive grant program is funded by an annual allocation, subject to congressional appropriation. The priorities for this program are to incentivize investments that reduce risk and increase pre-disaster mitigation, including expanding the use of insurance to manage risk through funding flood mitigation projects for properties insured through the NFIP.
FMA Subapplication Process
- Eligible Subapplicants
- Completing a Notice of Interest (NOI)
- Subapplication Development
- Accessing FEMA GO
- Resources & Technical Assistance
Local governments, including cities, townships, counties, and special districts are considered subapplicants and must submit subapplications to their state agency. Federally recognized tribes can apply as subapplicants through Cal OES or to FEMA directly as an applicant.
Certain political subdivisions (i.e., regional flood control districts or county governments) may apply and act as subapplicants if they provide zoning and building code enforcement or planning and community development services for that community.
All subapplicants must be participating in the NFIP, and not be withdrawn, on probation, or suspended. Structures identified in the subapplication must have an NFIP policy in effect at the FMA application start date and must maintain it through the completion of the mitigation activity and for the life of the structure.
If you are thinking about applying for Flood Mitigation Assistance, please visit our Developing a Subapplication page to learn about the subapplication components or to request a call with the Technical Assistance team.
When you are ready to apply, please complete an NOI, due to Cal OES via the Engage Portal. Access the Engage CalOES Portal to log in and complete your Notice of Interest. You will need to create an account if you do not already have one.
Please utilize the NOI User Guide for help creating an account and for a preview of the NOI questions.
Subapplicants interested in FMA must submit a Notice of Interest (NOI) via the Cal OES Engage Portal before submitting a subapplication. All NOIs must be submitted by the posted deadline. NOIs submitted after this date will not be considered.
Cal OES will review NOIs for eligibility, competitiveness, and feasibility. Subapplicants with eligible projects will be invited to submit full grant subapplications, via FEMA’s Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO) portal. Cal OES will review all subapplications and submit projects to FEMA per State and Federal priorities. FEMA will then review the submitted applications for programmatic, environmental and historic preservation (EHP) compliance, and technical criteria before obligating funds. Follow the Grant Opportunities link to view open funding opportunities.
If your NOI is approved in the Cal OES Engage system, it will progress to the subapplication development process. FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO) is the grants management system that supports several FEMA grant programs. The system allows users to apply, track, and manage grants. Access the FEMA GO grants management system to apply for the BRIC annual competitive programs.
Please utilize the FEMA GO Startup Guide which can assist with registering in FEMA GO, logging into the system, and managing your organization. The FEMA GO Application and Subapplication Process Guide provides a step-by-step guide to completing a subapplication. In addition, FEMA has a series of FEMA Go Guides on YouTube.
The Hazard Mitigation Resource Library contains Job Aids, templates, and links to external resources to guide you through the NOI and subapplication process. Our subject matter experts are available to discuss project eligibility, benefit cost analysis, technical feasibility, EHP requirements, the application process, or other related matters.To contact the Technical Assistance team, please book a meeting here. We can discuss funding availability, project eligibility, and potential mitigation actions.
FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program and Policy Guide provides information for prospective subapplicants from state, local, tribal, and territorial governments on the application and grant processes for hazard mitigation assistance programs
FAQ
What are the Hazard Mitigation Plan requirements for FMA?
Entities are required to have or be a recognized annex of a federally approved, locally adopted Hazard Mitigation Plan. If your entity does not currently participate in a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP), please visit our Local Mitigation Planning page for information about the process.
Are there match fund requirements?
Special considerations for lower cost share percentages are given to projects that mitigate or eliminate risk for repetitive loss or severe repetitive loss properties. Federal funding is available for 75% of costs, however, federal money can cover up to 100% of the cost of SRL properties and 90% of RL properties.
When is funding made available?
FMA is not dependent on disaster impact and is available through a national competition usually held concurrently with the BRIC program. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is available annually, typically in July or August. Please navigate to our Grant Opportunities page to view open funding opportunities.
What activities are eligible under FMA?
FMA funds a broad range of flood mitigation activities, which includes Capability and Capacity Building Activities, Localized Flood Risk Reduction Projects, and Individual Flood Mitigation Projects, through a competitive selection process.
How much funding is made available? Is there a ceiling for project costs?
During the 2023 grant cycle, $800 million was available for FMA. There is a $50 million federal share activity cap per Localized Flood Risk Reduction Project subapplication.
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