FEMA Opens $1 Billion BRIC Grants: What States, Tribes, and Locals Need to Know

Hook

FEMA has officially reopened its flagship Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program, making $1 billion available for disaster-mitigation projects across the U.S. The funding opportunity, announced March 25, 2026, after a court-ordered reinstatement, gives states, territories, tribal nations, and local governments a streamlined path to fund infrastructure that can withstand floods, fires, hurricanes and more. Applications are due July 23, 2026—less than four months away.

Context

The BRIC program is one of FEMA's largest competitive grant initiatives aimed at shifting disaster management toward resilience and preparedness, rather than post-disaster relief. The opening of this funding cycle was delayed and almost derailed earlier this year after FEMA initially canceled the program, provoking lawsuits from multiple states—most notably North Carolina. On March 24, a federal court decision forced FEMA to not only reinstate BRIC, but also to expedite pending state projects and open a new $1 billion cycle.

This round comes with significant tweaks: FEMA has eliminated phased projects, disallowed hazard mitigation plan updates, and emphasized "shovel-ready" infrastructure efforts. States, tribes, and territories are now expected to lead applications, heightening the need for local coordination and planning. The move reflects FEMA’s effort to cut federal red tape, get dollars on the ground faster, and empower communities on the front lines of climate-driven disasters. See the official FEMA press release for details.

Impact

For State and Territorial Governments

Each state and territory can apply for up to $2 million through dedicated state/territory allocations ($112 million total), plus a share of $757 million available via the national competition (with a $20 million cap per project and 15% cap per applicant). Only one agency per state or territory can serve as the applicant, and must have an approved FEMA hazard mitigation plan. States like Oregon and South Carolina are already holding briefings and opening pre-application windows to maximize their competitiveness.

For Tribal Nations

A $50 million set-aside and an additional $25 million for building code adoption are exclusively available to federally recognized tribal nations. There are no per-project caps for the set-aside, so tribal nations have a unique opportunity to secure significant funding for resilience.

For Local Governments

Most local governments must coordinate through their state or tribal applicants. However, with the streamlined process now in place, ready-to-launch projects with complete conceptual and engineering designs are more likely to succeed. Local agencies are encouraged to identify projects, confirm eligibility, and partner with their state/tribal leads immediately.

For Technical and Industry Partners

With a focus on implementation-ready designs, engineering firms, mitigation consultants, and code specialists are likely to see rising demand as applicants seek to finalize proposals under the new, more rigorous requirements.

Action Steps

1. Contact Your State or Tribal Emergency Management Agency ASAP: States and tribes are the official applicants. Ensure your project is on their radar before their internal deadlines—well ahead of the July 23 FEMA cutoff.
2. Finalize Project Designs: Only fully-developed infrastructure projects (no phased or preliminary concepts) are eligible. Pull together engineering plans, permitting documentation, and environmental clearances now.
3. Demonstrate Readiness: Stress the project's ability to begin promptly with secured non-federal (25%) cost share commitments.
4. Focus on Resilience: Prioritize clear, quantifiable benefits in disaster risk reduction, and consider adopting enhanced building codes for bonus points in scoring.
5. Review FEMA Guidance: Consult the latest Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for detailed eligibility and submission instructions.

Outlook

The $1 billion in BRIC funds will move quickly, and competition for the $757 million national pool will be especially fierce for shovel-ready, large-scale projects. Watch for further FEMA clarifications as states and tribes raise implementation challenges and compliance questions. Legal precedents from this round may also pave the way for program continuity and access to future climate resilience funding in underserved communities.

Granted AI is prepared to support your organization in navigating the application process and optimizing your BRIC proposal strategy this grant cycle.