DHS Announces $1.6 Billion in Preparedness Grants for State and Local Governments

DHS has announced the availability of the FY 2022 Notice of Funding Opportunities for eight preparedness grant programs that can be used by state and local emergency managers to prepare for, prevent, protect against, and respond to acts of terrorism and other hazards. Webinars later this month will provide guidance on one of these programs, the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP).

The programs and allocations include over $1 billion for the HSGP, specifically its State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) and the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI). Grant recipients under SHSP and UASI will be required to dedicate a minimum of 30 percent of their awards across six priority areas, which include 1) cybersecurity; 2) soft targets and crowded places; 3) intelligence and information sharing; 4) domestic violent extremism; 5) community preparedness and resilience; and 6) election security. This represents the first time in over a decade grant recipients will be required to allocate funds toward community preparedness projects. With this in mind, utility emergency managers are encouraged to reach out to their state and local emergency management officials, as appropriate, with their concepts and ideas for how to use the funding. Read more at DHS.

FEMA is holding a series of webinars later this month to provide clearer guidance on how to navigate the new HSGP requirements. The webinars are free, but registration is required. They will cover:

• How to use the HSGP to effectively mitigate DHS concerns on terrorism;
• Guidance on meeting requirements for the “Enhancing Community Preparedness and Resilience” National Priority Areas; and
• Additional guidance on how to submit a strong application for the HSGP.

The webinars are free, but registration is required.

• HSGP Webinar 1 (East): May 24 @ 9:30a.m.-10:30a.m. ET 
  • Register here: HSGP Webinar 1 (East) (connectsolutions.com)
• HSGP Webinar 2 (Central): May 25 @ 3:00p.m.-4:00p.m. ET 
  • Register here: HSGP Webinar 2 (Central) (connectsolutions.com)
• HSGP Webinar 3 (West): May 26 @ 5:30p.m.-6:30p.m. ET 
  • Register here: HSGP Webinar 3 (West) (connectsolutions.com)

For further support, FEMA recommends partners work with their State Administrative Agency and/or Urban Area Working Group.