FEMA Resumes BRIC Grant Activities: What Subawardees Need to Know Now

Hook

Disaster mitigation projects across the U.S. just received urgent good news: FEMA has officially resumed key activities for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program, after more than a year of uncertainty, legal battles, and bureaucratic shutdown. As of March 23, 2026, the FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO) and Non‑Disaster Grants (ND Grants) systems are back online, allowing subaward recipients to draw down funds and submit amendments on grants from fiscal years 2020–2023—though processing remains limited during the ongoing partial federal shutdown.

For thousands of communities and organizations, this unlocks progress on stalled safe rooms, sewer resilience, hospital hardening, and other projects funded under BRIC’s vital pre-disaster mitigation mandate.

Context

The BRIC program was created to fund infrastructure projects that protect against natural disasters—think flood improvements, wildfire mitigation, and utility hardening. Since its launch, BRIC had allocated billions nationally, including $200 million for North Carolina and key 2023 projects for Scranton, Pennsylvania, among others. But in April 2025, the program was abruptly canceled by the Trump administration, citing inefficiency and contentious climate priorities—freezing not only future applications, but also prior awards still in the pipeline.

States like Oregon and Pennsylvania quickly led successful legal challenges, and in December 2025, a federal judge ordered FEMA to resume BRIC in line with its congressional mandate. Despite this legal victory, administrative roadblocks remained as a partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown began in February 2026, leaving key FEMA staff unavailable and grant systems inaccessible for over a month.

Now, with the March 23 announcement that FEMA’s grant systems are restored and program activities have resumed—albeit in a limited way—states, Tribal Nations, localities, nonprofits, and partners can finally move forward on high-priority projects awarded or selected between FY2020 and FY2023.

Impact

What Does This Mean If You’re a BRIC Recipient?

• Access Restored: As of March 23, 2026, you can access FEMA GO and ND Grants systems to submit amendments, payment requests, and draw down funds for existing (awarded) BRIC projects from FY2020–FY2023 (source).
• Processing Limbo: While systems are operational, most actions still requiring federal staff intervention (like approvals of amendments or high-level clarifications) will not move forward until the federal funding lapse ends. The only exception is for a few priority programs such as Operation Stonegarden.
• Project Status by Year:
  • FY2020: Completed for most states.
  • FY2021: Projects remain in performance periods with no anticipated changes due to the resumption.
  • FY2022–2023: Awarded and selected-not-yet-awarded projects can advance, pending full federal approval. Expect administrative delays due to staff shortages and process backlogs.

New Uncertainties

Despite the resumption, there’s no guarantee all previously selected—but not yet awarded—projects will keep their funding. In fact, FEMA emphasized that prior selections aren’t necessarily safe; some applicants may need to re-apply once new NOFOs are issued, particularly for FY2024 and beyond (see FEMA memo).

States and Congressional representatives, like Scranton’s Mayor Paige Cognetti and Pennsylvania Rep. Rob Bresnahan, are lobbying for reinstatement and clarity, but communities should brace for possible funding reductions and a much-shortened timeline for future BRIC applications, as indicated by FEMA.

Nonprofits and small businesses who partner with public entities on resilience work will see the greatest immediate relief for existing contracts and subawards, with the chance to restart critical construction, upgrades, or mitigation.

Action: What Grant Seekers Should Do Now

1. Log Into FEMA GO or ND Grants: If you are a direct recipient or sub-recipient for a FY2020–2023 BRIC project, ensure your login works and verify the accurate status of your award. Confirm contact info is up to date.
2. Draw Down Available Funds: If you have incurred eligible expenses, you may submit payment requests immediately. Track all costs carefully, as FEMA may require retroactive audits.
3. Submit Outstanding Deliverables: To avoid further delays, submit any due Phase I or progress deliverables. This is especially important for Oregon projects, but applies nationwide (Oregon FAQ).
4. Prepare for Scrutiny and Reapplication: For unawarded or selected-not-yet-awarded subapplications, keep documentation ready and maintain communication with state emergency management offices. Expect that new guidance and possible re-competition will arrive quickly, with shorter application windows and potentially stricter requirements.
5. Sign Up for Updates: Monitor federal, state, and local grant bulletins so you don’t miss the re-issued FY2024 and FY2025 NOFOs.

Outlook: What to Watch for Next

The next several months will be a test of flexibility and diligence for BRIC stakeholders nationwide. Watch for:

• Official end of the Department of Homeland Security shutdown—full federal staffing will speed approval and support.
• Reissue of the FY2024 BRIC NOFO on an accelerated timeline, likely with tighter deadlines and reduced funding levels.
• Clarification from FEMA and state agencies about the final fate of selected-but-not-funded FY2023 projects and pathways for future applications.

With federal disaster funding once again in the crosshairs of politics and budget debates, grant seekers should stay agile, document everything, and keep advocating for their communities’ resilience needs.

Granted AI helps you spot and react to funding changes like these—so you never miss a critical opportunity or compliance deadline.