Emergency Management Performance Grants
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Who has received this funding
Organizations awarded under CFDA 97.042 (USAspending.gov).
- Office Of Emergency Services 6 awards $161,036,453
- Texas Division Of Emergency Management 3 awards $79,420,146
- Homeland Security & Emergency $39,266,133
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
2025: Over 93% of capability-building EMPG-funded projects were aligned to capability gaps identified by states and territories in their Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA)/Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR) submissions. Additionally, over 75% of capability-building projects addressed a core capability that has one or more targets rated as high priority.
Program Objective
The primary objective of the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) Program is to provide funds to assist state, local, tribal, and territorial emergency management agencies to implement the National Preparedness System (NPS) and to support the National Preparedness Goal (the Goal) of a secure and resilient nation. To that end, program objectives include: 1) building or sustaining those capabilities that are identified as high priority through the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA)/Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR) process and other relevant information sources; and 2) closing capability gaps that are identified in the state or territory’s most recent SPR. The EMPG Program is designed to support ongoing, sustained improvement in emergency management capabilities improving the ability of emergency management agencies to prepare for, prevent, respond to, and recover from all hazards.
Performance metrics for this program are as follows:
• Performance Measure 1: Percentage of capability-building projects that align to capability gaps identified by states, territories, and urban areas in their THIRA/SPR submissions (50%).
Performance Measure 2: Percentage of high priority capabilities, as identified in THIRA/SPR submissions, that are built or sustained prior to award closeout (50%).
Performance Measure 3: Percentage of capability-building projects that address a high priority core capability as identified by THIRA/SPR submissions (50%).
Performance Measure 4: Percentage of projects that build or sustain capabilities relating to the EMPG Program national priority areas and Regional Administrator (RA) agreed-upon priorities (80%).
Performance Measure 5: Percentage of Planning, Training, and/or Exercise related projects that align with closing address capability gaps as identified and documented in the state/territory’s most recent THIRA/ SPR submission, Mitigation Plan, AARs, Audit/Monitoring Findings, Continuity Assessments, or Other Deliberate Plans (50%).
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- State
ET26020 - State
Eligible applicants are limited to states and U.S. territories.
How to Apply
Application Procedure
NOFO. Registering and applying for an award under the EMPG program is a multi-step process and requires time to complete. Eligible applicants should consult the EMPG program Notice of Funding Opportunity when available and posted on grants.gov for specific steps of the EMPG program application procedure.
Award Procedure
As the EMPG is a formula grant, funding is awarded to all eligible recipients, and the award amounts are predetermined. Refer to the EMPG Notice of Funding Opportunity when available and posted on grants.gov for additional information.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 30 to 60 days
- Renewal interval: From 120 to 180 days
60 days
Program details & compliance
Description
The EMPG Program serves a critical purpose in bolstering emergency management capabilities nationwide. This program is specifically designed to support state, local, tribal, and territorial governments in their efforts to enhance preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities. By investing in these areas, the program ensures that communities are better equipped to handle various hazards and disasters effectively. The EMPG Program’s emphasis on tangible, practical accomplishments, such as establishing interoperable communication systems and robust emergency management systems, makes it a vital tool for enhancing public safety and community resilience.
Mission Categories
Primary: Civil Defense
Other categories:
Emergency PreparednessDisaster Relief
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
EMPG grant recipients and subrecipients may only use EMPG grant funds for the purpose set forth in the grant award, and must use funding in a way that is consistent with the statutory authority for the award and in accordance with 2 C.F.R. Part 200
Required Documentation
All EMPG applicants are required to develop and submit a Work Plan as described in the EMPG Notice of Funding Opportunity. All EMPG Work Plans will require final approval by the applicable FEMA Regional Administrator. Regional EMPG Program Managers will work closely with states/territories to monitor Work Plans during the performance period and may request further documentation from the recipients to clarify the projected work plan. In addition, the applicable Regional EMPG Program Manager must approve final Work Plans before States may draw down EMPG Program funds.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements
Formula
EMPG Program awards are based on section 662 of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, as amended, (6 U.S.C. § 762). All 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico receive a base amount of 0.75% of the total available funding appropriated for the EMPG Program. Four territories (American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) receive a base amount of 0.25% of the total available funding appropriated for the EMPG Program. The remaining balance of the funds appropriated for the EMPG Program are distributed on a population-share basis.
In addition to the $355 million available from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. No. 117-328), FEMA will also make available $100,000 in total from the Disaster Relief Fund for the Federated States of Micronesia and for the Republic of the Marshall Islands pursuant to Article X of the Federal Programs and Services Agreement of the Compact of Free Association Act (Pub. L. No. 108-188).
A 50% match is applicable to this assistance listing for all states and Puerto Rico.
In accordance with 48 U.S.C. § 1469a, cost-match requirements are waived for the insular areas of the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, as well as the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Maintenance of Effort (MOE) requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.