Fiscal Year 2025 Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program

The Fiscal Year 2025 Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program (RCPGP), administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), supports regional efforts to enhance catastrophic preparedness and resilience. This program is a part of a broader federal initiative aimed at fortifying the nation's ability to withstand and recover from catastrophic incidents, including natural disasters and acts of terrorism. It operates within the framework of the National Preparedness Goal and the National Preparedness System, which set standards and strategies for achieving a secure and resilient nation. The RCPGP specifically seeks to improve planning, organization, training, and exercises among regional stakeholders and prioritize disaster-vulnerable communities. For FY 2025, the RCPGP will distribute $10.8 million in funding across six targeted states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, and Texas. Each of these states will receive up to $1.8 million, with only the State Administrative Agency (SAA) eligible to apply. These states were selected using a risk-informed methodology that considers regional threat profiles, catastrophic planning gaps, and strategic alignment with national security infrastructure and climate-related vulnerabilities. Subawards are not allowed, and eligibility does not extend beyond the designated SAAs of these six states. The FY 2025 program prioritizes three core capabilities: Housing, Community Resilience, and Long-Term Vulnerability Reduction. Allowable activities include developing risk-informed mitigation plans, assessing housing gaps, conducting resilience-focused outreach and training, and creating unified regional strategies. Equipment purchases, construction, maintenance, and public safety personnel are unallowable costs. However, funding can be used for planning, organizational efforts, training, exercises, travel, consultant services, and conference expenses. Personnel costs related to allowable activities, including overtime and backfill, are also covered. Indirect costs are permitted if applicants submit a current negotiated rate agreement. Applications must be submitted via FEMA GO between August 1, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. ET and August 15, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET. The anticipated award notification and funding selection will occur by September 30, 2025, and the period of performance will run from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028. There are no cost-sharing or match requirements for this program. A complete application must include standard federal forms (SF-424 series), a project narrative based on FEMA’s template (Appendix B), a budget worksheet and narrative (Appendix C), and letters or signed statements of support from project partners. Proposals must detail regional impact, the involvement of disaster-vulnerable communities, performance measures, and sustainability plans. Applicants must ensure compliance with the National Incident Management System (NIMS), and any equipment or technology procured must align with federal standards, including the SAFECOM Guidance for emergency communications. The program evaluation will rely on changes in preparedness capabilities using baseline and post-grant Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) and Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR) data, particularly focusing on the three core capability areas. Post-award, recipients are subject to standard federal reporting and audit requirements, including semiannual performance reports and quarterly financial reports. Programmatic questions may be directed to FEMA-RCPGP@fema.dhs.gov. Technical help with the FEMA GO system is available at femago@fema.dhs.gov or (877) 585-3242. Additional contacts include the Award Administration Division at ASK-GMD@fema.dhs.gov and the FEMA Grants News team at fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov. Regional Office contacts and other specialized support such as Environmental Planning or Civil Rights compliance can be found in the NOFO. This grant program represents an important federal investment in regional resilience and preparedness planning, especially for communities at elevated risk due to climate change, infrastructure challenges, or national defense proximity.

Emphasize impact on disaster-vulnerable communities. Follow Project Narrative Template in Appendix B exactly. Use THIRA/SPR data to support needs assessment.