Federal Disaster Prevention and Relief Grants

The United States Government, represented by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Bangladesh, is publishing this Request for Information (RFI) to offer the opportunity for all interested organizations and individuals to support strengthening the capacity of Government agencies, institutions, local government, communities and private sector in managing rapid onset disasters in densely populated urban centers highly vulnerable to earthquakes and fire. The proposed activity targets to capacitate GOB departments, community volunteers and private sectors to manage urban disasters and save lives and assets.

The nation relies on emergency management programs and emergency managers to respond to a wide range of threats and hazards. Emergency management programs and emergency managers play an important role in leading state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) communities in an effective and unified manner before, during, and after a disaster. Emergency management programs and professionals also play an important role in supporting the National Preparedness Goal of a secure and resilient Nation by coordinating with the whole community to build and sustain the capabilities to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk. The EMBAG program reinforces the FEMA mission of advancing all-hazards preparedness, consistent with the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (PKEMRA) and Presidential Policy Directive 8 (PPD-8), National Preparedness. EMBAG funds the maintenance, validation, and revision of voluntary national-level standards and peer-review assessment processes for SLTT emergency management programs and professionals; peer assessment against these standards for SLTT emergency management program accreditation and professional certification; and outreach and training to increase awareness of national standards and understanding of functions of effective programs and professionals. Over FY 2018-2020, the EMBAG helped 22 SLTT emergency management programs achieve accreditation and 60 SLTT emergency managers achieve certification. The 9/11 Commission Report published in 2004 described efforts led by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to come to a consensus regarding a national standard for preparedness for the private sector. As a result of these efforts, ANSI recommended that the 9/11 Commission endorse a voluntary National Preparedness Standard. According to stakeholders noted in the report, the experience of the private sector in the World Trade Center emergency demonstrated the need for these standards. Federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial and whole community partners in the emergency management community worked with each other and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish standards for emergency management both before and after 9/11, including for both emergency management programs and emergency managers. Applicants can submit applications for this funding opportunity through FEMA Grants Outcomes (GO). Access the system at https://go.fema.gov/.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and higher education institutions for initiatives that improve earthquake safety and awareness across multiple states or nationally.

This grant provides funding to local governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions in U.S. territories to protect and restore coral reef ecosystems and natural resources.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments, non-profits, tribes, and state forestry agencies to help at-risk communities reduce wildfire risks through planning and implementation of protective measures.

The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program NEHRP seeks to mitigate earthquake losses in the United States through basic and directed research and implementation activities in the fields of earthquake science and engineering. NEHRP is a multi-agency program consisting of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), FEMA, the United States Geological Survey (USGS), and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The NEHRP program supports the mission area of the FY20-24 DHS Strategic Plan titled "Strengthen Preparedness and Resilience," as well as the national preparedness goal of mitigation, as provided in the Presidential Policy Directive (PPD-8). NEHRP also supports the FEMA 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, by contributing to the accomplishment of Strategic Goal 3: Promote and Sustain a Ready FEMA and Prepared Nation. Participation in the FEMA NEHRP State Assistance program is limited to those States and Territories that have been determined to be at a High to Very High risk of earthquakes. Participation in this funding opportunity is further limited to those States and Territories that can provide the statutory 25% non-Federal cost share. The Cost Share requirement does not apply to those Territories that are considered "Insular Areas" (U.S. Virgin Islands), and otherwise eligible for program participation. All activities funded by the FEMA NEHRP, Individual State Earthquake Assistance grant program must be consistent with NEHRP Vision, Mission, Goals and FEMA Program Responsibilities (See Appendix A.), of the NOFO, and ultimately result in a measurable enhancement of National seismic safety and earthquake risk awareness.Applicants can submit applications for this funding opportunity through FEMA Grants Outcomes (GO). Access the system at https://go.fema.gov/.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, as well as eligible nonprofits and educational institutions, to develop and deliver essential training for rural and tribal preparedness and national security events.

FY 2024 Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Grant

This funding opportunity provides financial support to port authorities, facility operators, and government agencies to enhance the security and resilience of maritime infrastructure against threats like terrorism.

The overarching goal of the Risk MAP Program is to enhance flood-resilient communities, including underserved communities. The CTP Program supports this goal by establishing, maintaining, and improving collaborative working relationships; ensuring timely and accurate delivery of data to communities to support flood risk reduction and mitigation; and program ownership. Additionally, CTP supports Risk MAPs goal of ensuring the long-term flood resiliency of communities, including underserved communities. The objectives of the CTP program are primarily to support the mission and objectives of the NFIPs Flood Hazard Mapping Program through FEMAs flood hazard identification and risk assessment programs, including the Risk MAP program. Objectives include: Ensure extensive stakeholder engagement throughout the lifecycle of a project so that stakeholders have access to flood hazard data and risk information to validate and use for community resiliency. Stakeholders in CTP projects typically include community and tribal leaders; business and property owners; regional, tribal, and state partners; and local elected officials. Enhance communities ability to make informed decisions on development using updated information by ensuring it is delivered to communities in a timely manner and on budget. Improve acceptance and use of the flood hazard data and risk information, through delivery of high-quality products to communities. Increase understanding of flood hazard and risk elements, leading to quality partnerships between CTPs and their communities, and between FEMA and CTPs, by providing training and engagement throughout the project.Applicants can submit applications for this funding opportunity through FEMA Grants Outcomes (GO). Access the system at https://go.fema.gov/

This grant provides funding for alumni of U.S. Department of State exchange programs to implement community-focused projects that address disaster prevention and relief in the Eastern Caribbean.

This program provides funding to empower local organizations and communities in specific countries to lead their own development initiatives, focusing on inclusivity and sustainability.

This grant provides funding to state and local governments, tribal organizations, and nonprofits for the recovery and preservation of historic sites damaged by natural disasters in 2023 and 2024.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to federally recognized Tribal governments to strengthen their cybersecurity infrastructure and resilience against increasing cyber threats.

This funding opportunity supports U.S. and Japanese organizations in creating innovative projects that strengthen U.S.-Japan relations through public engagement in areas like security, democracy, and entrepreneurship.

Canaveral National Seashore (CANA) includes approximately 57,000 acres of coastal, estuarine and upland habitats along the east coast of central Florida. Major plant communities include pine flatwoods, hammock, beach dune, freshwater wetlands, beach dune, coastal strand, salt marsh and mangrove shrublands. Development within the boundary is largely restricted to public beach access facilities on the northern and southern ends of the park. The majority of Mosquito Lagoon and associated islands as well as the adjacent open waters of the Atlantic Ocean are included within the CANA boundary. Coastal uplands and wetlands within CANA support a wide variety of listed species. Beaches represent nationally important nesting habitat for marine turtles with more than 16,000 nests within CANA in 2023. Beach dune and coastal strand habitats also support populations of terrestrial species including southeastern beach mouse, gopher tortoise and eastern indigo snake. Salt marsh and mangrove habitats are utilized by organisms including Atlantic salt marsh snake, wading birds, eastern black rail and diamondback terrapin. CANA also protects a wide range of cultural resources that reflect human history in the area from 2000 BC to the early 20th century. In September 2022, Hurricane Ian impacted CANA, resulting in tidal flooding, substantial coastal erosion, widespread vegetation damage and structural modifications to coastal habitats. Subsequently, Hurricane Nicole also made landfall within CANA, compounding the effects of the Hurricane Ian. In addition to direct effects of the storms on natural resources, elevation loss within beach dune communities facilitated regular tidal flooding for several months. While impacts to resources have been generally characterized, detailed information on the majority of species and habitats within the Seashore has not been collected. The trajectory of the natural system, including plant communities and associated species, following these storms is not clearly understood. NPS natural resource managers are seeking proposals for studies and/or surveys of natural and cultural resources that lead to a better understanding of short and long term effects of the 2022 hurricane season on those resources. Successful proposals will seek to improve the understanding of natural resources that became and/or remain vulnerable to post storm conditions that are coupled with the development of implementable management recommendations/actions. The following topics are suggested focal areas. Proposals covering topics outside of these areas are also encouraged, provided the work will evaluate the effects of hurricanes on natural and/or cultural resources within Canaveral National Seashore. Proposals for all focal areas should demonstrate an expected link to implementable management actions. 1. Studies of direct and indirect storm effects on the life history of species of management concern 2. Studies of physical and structural changes to coastal plant communities and adjacent coastal wetlands 3. Studies of non-native species status and trends in storm impacted areas Specific elements of each of these topic areas are described below. These descriptions are provided as a guide to help identify issues and questions that can be addressed in submitted proposals. The geographic area of the proposed studies is the legislative boundary of Canaveral National Seashore. 1. Assessment of direct and indirect storm effects on the life history of species of management concern Storm surge, tidal flooding and wind impacts resulted in short and long term, direct and indirect impacts on a variety of coastal plant and animal species within CANA. Impacts may have resulted in an increase or decrease in occupiable habitats, changes in predation rates, foraging and reproductive habitats and other impacts to one or more life history periods for a variety of organisms. CANA seeks to understand the short- and long-term effects of these storms on species of management concern in order to direct management actions where they are most appropriate and most effective. Additionally, CANA seeks to support work that is expected to result in actionable management recommendations that can be implemented following these and future storms that will mitigate or improve post-storm conditions for species of management concern. Animal species of interest to CANA include southeastern beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus niveiventris), eastern black rail (Laterallus jamaicensis jamaicensis) eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi), Atlantic salt marsh snake (Nerodia clarkia taeniata), eastern spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius), Wilson’s plover (Charadrius wilsonia) and marine turtles (Caretta caretta, Chelonia mydas, Dermochelys coriacea and Lepidochelys kempii), Florida intertidal firefly (Micronaspis floridana) and beach tiger beetle (Cicindela dorsalis media). Plant species of interest include Caribbean applecactus (Harrisia fragrans), beachstar (Cyperus pendunculatus) and Curtis’s hoarypea (Tephrosia angustissima var. curtissii). Specific topics of interest include the following: a. Comparison of pre- and post-hurricane distribution of one or more species of management concern that utilize hurricane impacted areas. b. Assessment of effects of hurricanes on life history stages of one or more species of management concern. c. Development of baseline distribution and population estimates of poorly known species in areas affected by hurricanes. 2. Studies of physical and structural changes to coastal upland plant communities and adjacent coastal wetlands Storm surge and associated sand movement resulted in changes in elevation across portions of the barrier island that separates Mosquito Lagoon from the Atlantic Ocean. Observed storm effects to the physical environment include dune erosion and loss, creation of dune escarpments, elevation loss from erosion and elevation gains from sand accretion. These effects will result in short and long term changes to local and regional hydrology, soil chemistry and ultimately plant community composition on small and large scales within CANA. Characterization of these changes and understanding how these changes will evolve in conjunction with other ongoing natural processes is of interest to CANA managers. Specific topics of interest include the following: a. Creation of detailed elevation profiles of areas affected by storm surge and other hurricane effects. b. Development of updated plant community maps and conducting comparison of pre- and post-storm plant community distribution in affected areas. c. Development of modelling or other predictive tools using remote sensing (LiDAR, satellite imagery, aerial imagery), including techniques that can be readily used by park managers to conduct comparable studies in the future. d. Developing data-based approaches to understanding the relationship of observed hurricane effects with recent and predicted sea level rise projections in the region. 3. Studies of non-native species status and trends in storm impacted areas Wind and storm surge effects appear to have resulted in mixed impacts to existing populations of invasive plant and animal species in CANA. For example, storm effects appear to have resulted in a significant reduction in cover of Brazilian peppertree in areas immediately adjacent to the shoreline, at least in the short term. Openings created by damage and mortality of native plant species and sand deposition have also created potential for invasion or expansion of existing and/or new invasive plant and insect species. Expansion of infestations of opportunistic invasive species such as crowfoot grass have been observed within CANA following the storms but it is unclear if these increases will be short or long lived and if the changes will have a meaningful or measurable effect on plant community recovery and native fauna utilization of the areas. Storm effects are also likely to have impacted existing populations of priority invasive animal species including feral swine and coyote, but it is unclear to what degree these species were affected. Little is understood about the effects of storms on invasive plant and animal species on islands within Mosquito Lagoon. Specific topics of interest include the following: a. Short and long term effects of storms to high priority invasive species that occur in affected areas. b. Species or plant community specific, effective and feasible rapid response recommendations to invasive organisms following current and future, similar storm events. c. Improving understanding of interactive effects of invasive species on native plant and animal populations in the affected areas. The primary objective of this funding program is to supplement the capacity of CANA to assess resource impacts resulting from Hurricanes Ian and Nicole and to develop and implement actionable plans for resource protection from hurricanes.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state agencies in six targeted states to improve regional preparedness and resilience against catastrophic events, focusing on housing, community resilience, and long-term vulnerability reduction.

This program provides funding to organizations and researchers focused on improving the quality and diversity of medical imaging data to develop reliable AI tools for faster and more accurate healthcare diagnostics.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to the administrator of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) to enhance disaster response capabilities and improve resource coordination among states during emergencies.

In support of the National Preparedness Goal, State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) recipients must belong to, be in, or act as a temporary member of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), except for American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, which are not required to belong to EMAC at this time. The Emergency Management Assistance Compact was ratified by the U.S. Congress (P.L. 104-321). EMAC signatories include all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The federal government doctrinally and financially supports EMAC but does not manage it. EMACs unique relationships with states, regions, territories, and Federal organizations, such as FEMA and the National Guard Bureau, enable it to move a wide variety of resources to stabilize community lifelines immediately after an incident. Among other things, EMAC assists states in sending personnel, equipment, and commodities to support disaster relief efforts in other states. The EMAC-generated after-action reports, quarterly reports, and reports on demand will provide data that will enhance current and future emergency management initiatives. This information will aid in the development and implementation of National Qualification System (NQS) work items, Resource Typing (RT) definitions, and mutual aid tools supporting the NICs strategic priorities.Applicants can submit applications for this funding opportunity through FEMA Grants Outcomes (GO). Access the system at https://go.fema.gov/