Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant

The Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program is a federal grant initiative designed to support efforts that reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings and structures that are insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the FMA program provides financial assistance to eligible sub-applicants—primarily local governments and tribal entities—via a centralized state, territory, or tribal applicant process. This structure ensures that mitigation investments are coordinated effectively at the community and state levels to prevent future losses from flooding events. Eligible sub-applicants for the FMA program include cities, counties, townships, special district governments, and federally recognized tribal governments. In some instances, political subdivisions such as regional flood control districts may also apply, provided they operate within a participating NFIP community and provide planning, zoning, or code enforcement functions. Sub-applicants must also have a FEMA-approved Local or Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan at the time of application and when funds are obligated, aligning with FEMA’s regulatory framework under 44 CFR Part 201. The scope of funding available under FMA includes a wide array of project types intended to mitigate flood risk. These eligible project categories include project scoping, community flood mitigation projects, technical assistance, flood hazard mitigation planning, and individual flood mitigation projects. These projects are designed to increase community resilience and reduce future financial burdens caused by flood events. Funding priorities may favor communities with properties that experience repetitive or severe repetitive losses under the NFIP. Cost-sharing requirements for the program vary depending on the risk profile of the targeted properties. Standard projects require a 75% federal and 25% local funding match. However, projects involving Repetitive Loss properties qualify for a 90% federal and 10% local cost-share, while those addressing Severe Repetitive Loss properties may receive up to 100% federal funding. This tiered system ensures equitable access to funds while incentivizing mitigation actions in areas of highest need. The application period for the 2025 funding cycle begins on January 6, 2025, and closes on April 18, 2025, with the Montana Department of Emergency Services (MT DES) imposing an earlier internal deadline of March 21, 2025, to allow for review and ranking of submissions prior to forwarding to FEMA. Applicants must first submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to MT DES and ensure access to FEMA’s Grants Outcomes (GO) system to prepare and submit their full application packages. The period of performance for awarded projects under FMA is 36 months from the date of federal award. All projects must be completed within this timeframe. Evaluation of applications is likely based on the technical merit of the proposed mitigation strategies, cost-effectiveness, alignment with local hazard mitigation plans, and the overall benefit to communities at risk of flooding. Technical support is available through the MT DES Mitigation Team, which can guide applicants through FEMA GO registration and application preparation.