Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG)

The Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) Program is a federally supported initiative designed to enhance the capacity of state, local, tribal, and territorial governments in the United States to prepare for and respond to all hazards. This comprehensive grant program is administered at the state level by Montana Disaster and Emergency Services (MT DES), with funding provided through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Rooted in legislative authority from the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act and the Stafford Act, EMPG aims to develop a secure and resilient nation through coordinated emergency preparedness systems. The EMPG program supports the National Preparedness Goal and the implementation of the National Preparedness System. It funds activities across all five mission areas: Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery. The grant emphasizes the importance of building, sustaining, and delivering core capabilities through inclusive efforts involving entire communities. This year’s program will fund eligible emergency management organizations to carry out planning, training, and exercise activities that directly strengthen preparedness infrastructure and close capability gaps. EMPG funding is allocated annually to county and tribal governments, as well as select state agencies that oversee emergency management activities. The program places a priority on supporting local and tribal jurisdictions, which are given precedence in funding distribution. MT DES administers the grant process and retains a portion of funds for its own administration and management duties, as permitted under federal guidance. Awards are finalized based on available federal funding and are distributed according to MT DES’s funding formula when demand exceeds available resources. For FY 2025, the performance period spans from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Applicants for the FY 2025 EMPG were required to submit proposals through the AmpliFund platform during the application window from January 22, 2025, to March 28, 2025, at 11:55 PM MDT. Applications submitted after the deadline were not accepted. To ensure adequate preparation, applicants were encouraged to work closely with their district grant coordinators and obtain pre-approval of the EMPG Workplan by their District Field Officer before final submission. The application process required submission of organizational contact information, detailed project narratives, workplans, and budgets. A critical aspect of the EMPG program is the requirement for a one-to-one (50%) cost share. All subrecipients must match federal funds with local contributions, either in cash or through in-kind support, that are reasonable, necessary, and verifiable. EMPG funds cannot be matched with other federal dollars unless specifically authorized by law. Compliance with the Uniform Administrative Requirements in 2 CFR Part 200 is mandatory, and all expenditures must align with federal, state, and local regulations. Award notifications for FY 2025 will be issued following federal approval. Montana DES anticipates distributing award notices in a timely manner and requires the involvement of an authorized representative with legal authority for each applicant. While significant changes to EMPG guidance for FY 2025 have been implemented, MT DES will continue to provide updates and support as additional federal materials become available. Contacts for assistance include Amanda Avard and the MT DES grants coordination team, who can be reached via phone or email.

Start early; pre-review required; confirm system access in advance; follow matching rules strictly.