Funding Database: Flood Mitigation Assistance

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant program makes federal funds available to states, territories, federally recognized tribal councils and local governments to reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings and structures insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and within NFIP-participating communities. FMA recognizes the growing flood hazards associated with climate change and the need for flood hazard risk mitigation activities that promote climate adaptation, equity and resilience.

Flooding hazards addressed by the FMA program include both acute extreme weather events and chronic stressors that are expected to increase in intensity and frequency in the future.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants to the FMA program include states, territories and federally recognized tribal councils. Local government applicants apply as sub-applicants through the state application.

Eligible Projects

The FMA grant program funds three types of activities and projects: capability and capacity building (C&CB) activities; localized flood risk reduction projects; and individual flood mitigation projects.

Funding Amount

The total amount of FMA funding varies. In 2023, a total of $800 million was available nationwide. Of that, up to $60 million was allocated to C&CB activities; up to $520 million for localized flood risk reduction projects to address community flood risk for the purpose of reducing NFIP flood claim payments; and at least $220 million for individual flood mitigation projects that mitigate the risk of flooding to individual NFIP-insured structures.

Project funding caps included:

• $50,000 for state mitigation plans
• $25,000 for local mitigation plans
• $50 million for a localized flood risk reduction project sub-application

Individual flood mitigation projects do not have a federal activity cap. 

Match Requirements

The FMA program generally requires a 25% match from non-federal funding sources; however, the match requirement may be significantly lower for projects benefiting disadvantaged communities or addressing severe repetitive loss (PDF).

Application Schedule

The annual schedule for FMA program grant applications is subject to change. The 2023-2024 cycle for state-submitted sub-applications followed this format:

• September 2023: NCEM released Notice of Funding Opportunity
• Dec. 1, 2023: Letter of Interest (LOI) deadline
• Jan. 15, 2024: Sub-application deadline
• Jan. 22, 2024: NCEM notifies sub-applicants of missing information
• Feb. 12, 2024: Full sub-applications deadline
• Feb. 26, 2024: NCEM deadline to submit state application to FEMA

Application Process

Contact Kaine Riggan at NCEM to set up a meeting to discuss which type of proposal to submit and draft an LOI. Submit LOIs to the NCEM EMGrants system. If invited to apply, work with NCEM to draft an application.

Application Assistance

Watch this NCDPS webinar on the BRIC/FMA LOI process for an application overview. This fact sheet for FEMA’s Fiscal Year 2023 FMA Notice of Funding Opportunity (PDF) and these Letter of Intent Instructions (PDF) may also be helpful.

Funding Source

The FMA program is funded by congressional appropriation to the US Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency. NCEM, a division of the NC Department of Public Safety, administers the funding.