Court Orders FEMA to Reopen $1 Billion BRIC Disaster Mitigation Program
April 2, 2026 · 2 min read
David Almeida
FEMA has published the funding opportunity for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, making $1 billion available after a federal court forced the agency to resume the program following a yearlong suspension.
How BRIC Was Frozen — and Unfrozen
Former acting FEMA leader Cameron Hamilton canceled BRIC in April 2025, calling it "wasteful and ineffective." The Trump administration argued the program had become overly bureaucratic and too focused on climate change initiatives. A coalition of 22 Democratic-led states and Washington, D.C., sued the administration, and U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns ruled that FEMA could not eliminate the program. He issued a subsequent order this month requiring additional restoration steps, and FEMA complied by opening applications on March 25.
$1 Billion Available Through July 23
The combined FY2024–2025 funding breaks down into three categories: $757 million through a national competition open to all eligible applicants, $112 million in direct state allocations where counties can apply as subapplicants, and $56 million designated for state and territorial building code initiatives. No single applicant may receive more than 15% of total available funding across all BRIC categories.
Applications must be submitted through FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO) within the 120-day window that closes July 23, 2026.
Stricter Rules Under the Resumed Program
The revived BRIC comes with notable changes. FEMA has shifted more responsibility to states and localities, prioritized "major infrastructure projects" ready for immediate implementation, and established award caps. Eligible projects include school safe rooms, utility hardening, relocating critical facilities out of flood zones, and securing water pump stations.
States, local governments, Tribal Nations, and territories should begin assembling applications immediately — the clock is already running on the 120-day window. Organizations new to BRIC should note that subapplicants must work through their state's emergency management agency. Detailed analysis of federal disaster mitigation funding is available at grantedai.com.