The Pollinator-Friendly Practices on Roadsides and Highway Rights-of-Way Program (also referred to as the Roadside Pollinator Program) is an annual competitive grant program that awards grants to eligible entities to … Read more
The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program aims to shift funding away from reactive post-disaster recovery to pro-active investment in community resilience and pre-disaster mitigation activities. Eligible grantees may submit applications on behalf of sub-applicants, including local governments, homeowners, business operators, and Tribal Nations. Currently, there’s an open NOFO in response to a federal court order. Compared to previous years, this NOFO places a strong preference on shovel-ready projects and built infrastructure. However, natural systems remain an eligible use of BRIC dollars, and applicants are encouraged to design projects around “future conditions.” The scale and frequency of future BRIC NOFOs is currently unknown.
Eligible Uses
Applicants must have received a major disaster declaration within seven years prior to the annual grant application period start date. Funds may be used for capability and capacity building activities, mitigation projects, and management costs. Projects must: (1) be cost effective, (2) reduce or eliminate risk and damage from future natural hazards, (3) meet either of the two latest published editions of relevant consensus-based codes, specifications and standards, (4) align with the applicable hazard mitigation plan, and (5) meet all environmental and historic preservation requirements.
- For the FY2026 NOFO, the following activities are eligible:
- Capability- and Capacity-Building Activities – activities that directly support infrastructure resilience, such as the adoption, enforcement, and implementation of hazard-resistant building codes. Only capability and capacity-building activities that are directly tied to infrastructure projects such as building code adoption/enforcement, related technical training and project scoping activities for specific infrastructure are eligible. Hazard Mitigation Plan development or updates, and project scoping activities not directly supporting a specific infrastructure project are not eligible under BRIC.
- Hazard Mitigation Projects – cost-effective infrastructure and construction projects designed to increase resilience and public safety; reduce injuries and loss of life; and reduce damage and destruction to property, critical services, facilities, and infrastructure (including natural systems) from a multitude of natural hazards, including drought, wildfire, earthquakes, and the effects of natural weather disasters. Only infrastructure and construction projects that have, at a minimum, a conceptual design are eligible; phased projects are not eligible.
- Management Costs – financial assistance to reimburse the recipient and subrecipient for eligible and reasonable indirect costs, direct administrative costs, and other administrative expenses associated with a specific hazard mitigation measure or project subject to applicable cost share requirements
Eligible Recipients
Eligible applicants include states, territories, and federally recognized Tribal governments, and each applicant must designate one agency to serve as the BRIC applicant and may only submit one BRIC grant application with an unlimited number of sub-applications.
Applicants must have a FEMA-approved State or Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan. Eligible states and territories must have received a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act) within the seven years prior to the annual application period start date. Eligible federally recognized tribes must have received a major disaster declaration under the Stafford Act, including: (1) within the seven years prior to the annual application period start date or (2) if the tribe is entirely or partially located in a state or territory that had a major disaster declaration within seven years prior to the application period start date.
Entities interested in creating BRIC sub-applications may contact local (e.g., town/city/county) managers, planning, and/or emergency management offices within local governments, cities, townships, counties, special district governments, and federally recognized tribal governments. Sub-applicants are required to have a FEMA-approved Local or Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Approx Annual Funding Amount
BRIC is funded by a 6% set-aside from federal post-disaster grant funding. BRIC can also receive separate appropriations from Congress on top of the set-aside amount, as was the case in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. As a result, amounts will vary annually. The funding is allocated into three buckets: one for states/territories, one for Tribes, and the remaining funding for the BRIC national competition. Eligible applicants for the state/territory or tribal set-aside may apply for up to $2 million per applicant. Applicants applying to the national competition may apply for an unlimited number of projects, each valued up to $20 million federal share.
The FY2026 NOFO adds a fourth bucket: a “building code plus-up” for states and Tribal Nations. This includes up to $1 million per applicant.
Cost Share Requirements
Generally 75% federal share with a 25% non-federal match. Economically disadvantaged rural communities (small impoverished communities) are eligible for a federal/non-federal cost-share of 90%/10%. FEMA provides 100% federal funding for applicant and sub applicant management costs. In-kind contributions are accepted.
Application Cycle
For the FY2026 NOFO, applications are due July 23, 2026. It is best to contact your state or local hazard mitigation planner about state deadlines, which are likely earlier than July 2026 for subapplicants.
Generally:
- Summer: NOFO published
- Fall: Application Period Opens
- Winter: Application Period Closes
- Winter/Spring: Application Review
- Summer: Project selection