Fiscal Year 2025 National Urban Search And Rescue Response System Readiness Cooperative Agreement

The Fiscal Year 2025 National Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Response System funding opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through its Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This program supports a national network of 28 FEMA-designated Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces, which are vital components of FEMA's emergency response and readiness framework. The program enables these task forces to maintain constant operational readiness for all-hazards search and rescue missions, including those arising from structural collapses, terrorism, natural disasters, contaminated environments, and weapons of mass destruction. Established under FEMA's statutory authority, this Cooperative Agreement ensures comprehensive support for the 28 task forces. The funding can be used for program and grant management, administration, specialized training, exercises, equipment procurement and maintenance, canine search operations, and travel to relevant activities. The agreement allows FEMA to maintain a high degree of involvement in planning and execution, reflecting the strategic importance of the US&R system. Performance is monitored annually via a FEMA Self-Evaluation and validated every three years through the Administrative Readiness Evaluation (ARE), with specific quantitative targets related to staffing, training, and equipment readiness. Only the 28 FEMA-designated Task Force Sponsoring Agencies are eligible to apply. These are state or local government entities that sponsor the individual task forces. Subapplicants and subawards are not permitted under this program. Each eligible agency may submit only one application. Notably, there is no matching requirement or cost-sharing expectation for award recipients. Applications must include standard federal forms as well as a program-specific budget narrative workbook. If requesting pre-award costs or vehicle purchases, supplemental justification documents are required. The application period opens on July 28, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. ET and closes on August 11, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The anticipated funding selection date is August 25, 2025, with awards expected to be issued by September 1, 2025. The period of performance begins on September 1, 2025, and ends August 31, 2028, although the total budget period technically extends to August 31, 2030. FEMA will issue award notices electronically through the FEMA GO system, and recipients must accept the award within 90 days of the issue date. The program is not competitive—funds are equally distributed across all eligible task forces that submit compliant applications. Evaluation of applications is limited to ensuring financial integrity and compliance with FEMA standards. Each application is reviewed by both the US&R Branch and the FEMA Grant Programs Directorate. Although no pre-application requirements are specified, entities must complete necessary registrations such as obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), enrolling in SAM.gov, and registering with FEMA GO. For assistance, applicants may contact Rayna Bal at rayna.bal@fema.dhs.gov, or reach the FEMA Grants News Team at fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov or (800) 368-6498. Technical support for FEMA GO is available through femago@fema.dhs.gov or (877) 585-3242. Questions regarding compliance with civil rights, environmental planning, or payment systems can be directed to the appropriate FEMA offices as listed in the NOFO. The Preparedness Grants Manual and the FEMA Preparedness Toolkit are also available for reference.

Begin SAM, UEI, and FEMA GO registration early as these steps can take multiple weeks.