Category: Grants

DHS Announces New 24.1 Small Business Innovation Research Pre-Solicitation

News Release
WASHINGTON –The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program released six additional topics for the new SBIR 24.1 Pre-solicitation, providing small businesses a chance to review the topics and ask clarifying technical questions about topic requirements over a select period of time. SBIR provides funding and support to small businesses to develop innovative technologies and solutions that address homeland security challenges.

“The SBIR program is one of the best ways for small businesses to partner with DHS to explore innovative concepts with non-dilutive funding,” said DHS SBIR Director Dusty Lang. “Small businesses are a crucial part of the DHS mission, and this program enables the Department to interact with these entities and create an environment of innovation toward economic growth that benefits the country.”

The topics are listed below. For more information, including full descriptions, please visit SAM.gov. Technical questions should be emailed to the specific addresses listed in the 24.1 SBIR Topic Areas (Appendix A) for each topic. Small businesses have until 5:00 PM ET on December 14, 2023, to submit questions.

The DHS topics in the 24.1 SBIR Pre-Solicitation are:

  • DHS241-001 – Agnostic Detection of Synthetic Opioids and Other Illicit Drugs
  • DHS241-002 – Data Labeling and Curation at Scale (DLCS) for Machine Learning Algorithms
  • DHS241-003 – 911 Voice-over-IP Telephone Dispatchable Location System
  • DHS241-004 – Software Defined Radio for Public Safety (SDR-PS)
  • DHS241-005 – Video Analysis of Drug and Human Smuggling Activities
  • DHS241-006 – Enhancing Mobile Radiological/Nuclear (R/N) Detection Through Contextual Information

The DHS SBIR program is also launching its Phase 0 program, designed to increase outreach to small businesses that have never applied before.   

“The Phase 0 program is designed to reach new potential offerors, help them understand the process, and provide fresh perspectives for DHS to partner on novel solutions for our mission needs,” said Lang.

For more information on the Phase 0 Program, visit https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/sbir.

About DHS S&T

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) mission is to enable effective, efficient, and secure operations across all homeland security missions by applying scientific, engineering, analytic, and innovative approaches to deliver timely solutions and support departmental acquisitions. Created by Congress in 2003, S&T conducts basic and applied research, development, demonstration, testing and evaluation activities relevant to support Homeland Security and first responder operations and protect critical infrastructure. For more information about S&T, visit scitech.dhs.gov.

FEMA Announces $211 Million in Funding Opportunities for Two Dam Safety Grant Programs

FEMA will commit more than $211 million in funding to enhance dam safety efforts across the nation to ensure that communities have the critical infrastructure needed to protect against future disasters and prevent future flooding.

Dams are a critical part of the nation’s infrastructure, yet many are aging and deteriorating, and dam failure may occur within hours of the first signs of breaching because of intense storms. President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is providing nearly $6.8 billion toward community-wide resilience to reduce disaster suffering and avoid future disaster costs. This includes a total $733 million for the two dam safety programs over five years to help state, territorial, and local governments take action to address high-hazard potential dams that pose dangers to life and property if they fail.

The Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams program is making about $185 million available and another approximately $26 million available through the National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant Program. The investments funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help protect communities from flooding, avoid disaster costs, and strengthen resilience to climate change.

Grants through the Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams program are available to non-federal governments and nonprofits for the technical expertise, planning, design, and construction needed to rehabilitate eligible, non-federal high-hazard potential dams.

Eligible non-federal dams are:

  • Located in a state or territory with a dam safety program
  • Classified as high hazard potential by the dam safety agency in the state or territory where the dam is located
  • Current in their emergency action plan, which must be approved by the state or territorial dam safety agency
  • Failing to meet minimum dam safety standards of the state or territory or poses an unacceptable risk to the public

National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant Program is available for any state or territory with an enacted dam safety program. These grants establish and maintain effective state programs to ensure dam safety and protect human life and property. The state administrative agency, or an equivalent state agency, is eligible to apply. Each eligible state or territory may submit only one grant application. The funding opportunities open on Nov. 6 and will be found on Grants.gov. The deadline to apply is Feb. 29, 2024.

FEMA will post informational webinars to provide an overview of this year’s two dam safety funding opportunities to help interested applicants. For more information about dam safety and the webinars, visit FEMA’s dam safety webpage on FEMA.gov.

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If you have any questions, please contact FEMA Office of External Affairs:

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Also, follow Administrator Deanne Criswell on Twitter @FEMA_Deanne.

FEMA Mission

Helping people before, during, and after disasters.

SBA Grants for Global Expansion

SBA Grants for Global Expansion | Thursday, September 9, 2021| 2:00pm EDT

Are you aware there is a unique grant program dedicated to helping U.S. small businesses grow their global sales?

Please join the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of International Trade for a brief conversation with two small businesses that have utilized the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant to support global sales growth.

The discussion will last approximately 20-25 minutes. An opportunity for Q & A will be provided after the session for anyone that has additional questions and would like to stay on longer.

If you are interested in growing your global market sales and are not familiar with the STEP grant, this is a 20-minute conversation that you don’t want to miss!

To receive a weblink or call-in number to participate, please pre-register HERE and we will send you that information prior to the event.  (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sba-grants-for-global-expansion-tickets-166531828181)

We hope you will join us and discover how a STEP grant can help take your business global.

 International sales can help you increase profits, reduce market dependence, and stabilize seasonal sales. Learn how you can tap into new markets with help from SBA.

Funding Opportunities for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities and Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Programs for Fiscal Year 2021

FEMA Advisory:

Today, FEMA will post funding notices for two hazard mitigation grant programs for $1.16 billion.

The Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grants provide funds to states, local communities, tribes and territories for eligible mitigation activities to strengthen our nation’s ability to build a culture of preparedness. These programs fund projects that invest in a more resilient nation, reduce disaster suffering and avoid future disaster costs.

The application period opens on Sept. 30 and the funding notices will be available later today on Grants.gov. Eligible applicants must apply for funding using FEMA Grants Outcomes, the agency’s grants management system. Submit applications in FEMA Grants Outcome Portal no later than 3 p.m. ET on Jan. 28, 2022. Applications received by FEMA after this deadline will not be considered for funding.

This year’s BRIC grant amount is $1 billion. BRIC’s guiding principles have been revised to reduce future losses and promote equity, including prioritizing assistance that benefits disadvantaged communities as referenced in line with the administration’s Justice40 Initiative. Scoring criteria for the competitive grant program has been adjusted to incentivize mitigation actions that consider climate change and future conditions, populations impacted and economically disadvantaged rural communities.

The Flood Mitigation Assistance grant amount this year is $160 million. The program will use the Centers for Disease Controls’ Social Vulnerability Index as a selection factor in its competitive scoring process. This means underserved populations will receive more points for projects that benefit their communities.

This follows the Aug. 2 historic announcement of the post-disaster $3.46 billion in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program assistance for hazard mitigation measures across the 59 major disaster declarations issued due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Nearly $5 billion in new funding opportunities is now available to help communities prepare for extreme weather and climate-related disasters. FEMA’s grant programs can help strengthen our nation’s ability to reduce disaster losses and protect life and property from future disaster damage.

Interested applicants should contact their hazard mitigation officer for more information. For more information visit FEMA.gov.

FEMA Offering Webinars

FEMA is offering a series of informational webinars for interested applicants to provide an overview of the grant programs and details about the agency’s funding priorities and review process. The webinars are designed for leaders in states, local communities, tribes and territories, as well as private sector entities, private nonprofit organizations, and individuals interested in learning more about the BRIC and FMA grant programs and strategies for how to apply for them.

For those interested in joining online, go to Adobe Connect. Check out the full webinar schedule at FEMA.gov.

Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Grant Program

The National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 establishes the goal of reducing or eliminating claims under the National Flood Insurance Program through long-term mitigation actions. For the FMA program, the agency’s predetermined funding priorities include flood mitigation planning and efforts for repetitive as well as severe repetitive loss properties.

In this application cycle, $160 million is available in FMA grant funds. View the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) at: Grants.gov. Funding Opportunity Number: DHS-21-MT-029-000-99.

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant Program

The BRIC Program seeks to categorically shift the federal focus from reactive disaster spending toward research-supported, proactive investment in community resilience so when the hurricane, flood or wildfire comes, communities are better prepared.

In this application cycle, $1 billion is available in BRIC grant funds. View the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) at: Grants.gov. Funding Opportunity Number: DHS-21-MT-047-00-99.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, please contact Office of External Affairs:

Biden Administration Commits Historic $3.46 Billion in Hazard Mitigation Funds to Reduce Effects of Climate Change

from the FEMA newsroom here

Release Date:
August 5, 2021

FEMA makes hazard mitigation program funds from coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic available nationwide

WASHINGTON – President Biden today approved more than $3.46 billion to increase resilience to the impacts of climate change nationwide. This significant investment will be available for natural hazard mitigation measures across the 59 major disaster declarations issued due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

With the growing climate change crisis facing the nation, FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program will provide funding to states, tribes, and territories for mitigation projects to reduce the impacts of climate change. Every state, tribe, and territory that received a major disaster declaration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic will be eligible to receive 4% of those disaster costs to invest in mitigation projects that reduce risks from natural disasters. This influx of funding will help communities prioritize mitigation needs for a more resilient future, including underserved communities that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. These projects can help address effects of climate change and other unmet mitigation needs, including using funds to promote equitable outcomes in underserved communities

“The Department of Homeland Security is committed to helping build stronger and more resilient communities that are prepared for future disasters,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “States, tribes, territories, and localities will now receive the funding needed to treat the climate crisis with the sense of urgency it demands. Through this funding, communities across the nation will have the critical resources needed to invest in adaptation and resilience, and take meaningful action to combat the effects of climate change. This funding will also help to ensure the advancement of equity in all communities, especially those that are disproportionately at risk from climate change impacts.”

“Climate change is our country’s biggest crisis. Our communities will continue to suffer from losses caused by extreme weather events unless we invest in mitigation efforts to reduce the impacts of climate change. This new funding is a tangible solution that we can implement today to help prevent against future risk disasters. It will allow us to provide direct aid to states, tribes, and territories to complete mitigation projects, strengthen our infrastructure, identify long term solutions to these hazards and ultimately make a real difference in our communities,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell.

Communities across the country have been impacted by the enormous effects of hurricanes, floods, wildfires, earthquakes, and other events. The increasing duration, intensity, and severity of such disasters—which are exacerbated by climate change as well as changes in population, land use, and weather patterns—are alarming and devastating, especially for underserved populations.

For eligible mitigation projects, HMGP funding can cover 75% of total project costs and states or communities cover the remaining share. Preparing and mitigating for the impacts of climate change, which is one of the most important threats facing the United States, requires the full collaboration of the Federal Government to support state, local, tribal, and territorial governments.

The FEMA Mitigation Action Portfolio includes examples of innovative mitigation projects that address many types of natural hazards and emphasize the importance of collaboration between governments, private sector entities, and non-governmental organizations in order to achieve effective hazard mitigation and disaster resilience. For example, mitigation projects can:

  • Reduce risks associated with climate change, such as wildfires, drought, increased flooding, and coastal erosion, through the use of nature-based features, such as storm water parks, living shorelines, and land conservation.
  • Address persistent residential vulnerabilities by mitigating repetitive loss structures affected by flooding.
  • Help utilities or other critical facilities adapt to future conditions and reduce risks, through microgrids, seismic and wind retrofits, flood protection, and other infrastructure protection measures.

This one-time investment represents a 23% increase in the funding made available for declared disasters since the program’s inception. Over the past 30 years, this program has made more than $15 billion available to states, tribes, and territories to make communities more resilient and reduce risks from future disasters.

For more information, please visit FEMA.gov.

HMGP allocation by state, tribe, and territory:

DR #RecipientTotal
4480DRNew York$378,128,107
4481DRWashington$113,424,988
4482DRCalifornia$484,383,864
4483DRIowa$19,463,694
4484DRLouisiana$78,005,056
4485DRTexas$666,134,283
4486DRFlorida$185,056,086
4487DRNorth Carolina$63,758,987
4488DRNew Jersey$148,647,976
4489DRIllinois$77,225,184
4490DRMissouri$25,107,641
4491DRMaryland$93,289,392
4492DRSouth Carolina$39,039,353
4493DRPuerto Rico$42,172,793
4494DRMichigan$51,792,820
4495DRGuam$6,052,983
4496DRMassachusetts$110,760,576
4497DRKentucky$22,845,923
4498DRColorado$70,395,919
4499DROregon$43,442,773
4500DRConnecticut$20,244,884
4501DRGeorgia$78,691,416
4502DRDistrict of Columbia$17,379,665
4503DRAlabama$27,226,688
4504DRKansas$9,004,669
4505DRRhode Island$26,828,651
4506DRPennsylvania$63,714,713
4507DROhio$46,074,096
4508DRMontana$5,728,787
4509DRNorth Dakota$12,389,894
4510DRHawaii$24,740,226
4511DRCommonwealth of Northern Mariana Island$3,133,540
4512DRVirginia$62,005,907
4513DRVirgin Islands$5,064,856
4514DRTennessee$44,735,216
4515DRIndiana$25,472,504
4516DRNew Hampshire$11,003,311
4517DRWest Virginia$8,014,879
4518DRArkansas$4,191,937
4520DRWisconsin$32,749,999
4521DRNebraska$18,073,516
4522DRMaine$4,726,703
4523DRNevada$16,301,258
4524DRArizona$40,260,428
4525DRUtah$25,112,074
4526DRDelaware$6,500,644
4527DRSouth Dakota$3,276,898
4528DRMississippi$25,887,599
4529DRNew Mexico$11,775,469
4530DROklahoma$10,562,604
4531DRMinnesota$17,566,656
4532DRVermont$13,396,387
4533DRAlaska$4,886,382
4534DRIdaho$11,406,627
4535DRWyoming$1,707,575
4537DRAmerican Samoa$702,400
4545DRSeminole Tribe of Florida$462,364
4582DRNavajo Nation$322,578
4591DRPoarch Band of Creek Indians$168,000

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Announces $3 Billion Investment in American Communities

Communities across the country will be able to apply for funding immediately

Contact: EDA Public Affairs Department, (202) 482-4085
July 22, 2021

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) will implement a series of programs, collectively called Investing in America’s Communities, to equitably invest the $3 billion it received from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act to help communities across the country build back better. The EDA investment is the largest economic development initiative from the Department of Commerce in decades.

Later today, Secretary Raimondo will address the White House Briefing Room to further lay out the Biden Administration’s vision for how this historic investment will help every community not only rebuild their local economy but also reimagine it for the future.

“President Biden’s American Rescue Plan delivered direct relief to the American people and was the first step to energizing the American economy following the devastating impacts of the coronavirus pandemic,” said Secretary Raimondo. “Now, its medium-term investments will allow communities around the country not only rebuild but reimagine their economy for the future.”

“With an emphasis on equity, EDA’s investments made possible by the American Rescue Plan will directly benefit communities that have been denied full access to economic prosperity and who have been disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic,” Secretary Raimondo continued. “We will work with local communities across the country on innovative new approaches to ensure that we can increase American competitiveness by strengthening our workforce, businesses, and communities and build back better in regions across the country.”

Investing in America’s Communities, was launched today with six Notices of Funding Opportunity:

As part of the six programs, the Department of Commerce and EDA, working with President Biden’s Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities, is making a Coal Communities Commitment, which allocates $300 million in American Rescue Plan funds to coal communities. This investment will ensure that they have the resources to recover from the pandemic and will help create new jobs and opportunities, including through the development or expansion of a new industry sector.

The American Rescue Plan funding empowers EDA to build upon its greatest strength—flexible funding to support community-led economic development—and provide larger, more transformational investments across the nation. Under the American Rescue Plan, EDA will make grants to state and local governmental entities, institutions of higher education, not-for-profit entities, unions, and Tribes. EDA is not authorized to provide grants to individuals or for-profit entities.

FACT SHEET: For more information about how EDA is investing in America’s communities, click here.

EDA’s Investment Priorities, the first of which is equity, were announced by the Biden Administration on April 14. They provide an overarching framework for all of the EDA’s grants, including the investments that will be made under the American Rescue Plan.

Notices of Funding Opportunity for each program will be released shortly. Please visit www.eda.gov/ARPA for the latest news and announcements about EDA’s American Rescue Plan programs.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.