How municipalities can pursue BRIC funding as subrecipients
Local governments cannot apply directly to FEMA for BRIC funding, but they can still access the program through their state, territory or Tribal applicant agency
As natural disasters continue to strain local infrastructure and public resources, municipalities are looking for practical ways to strengthen resilience before the next event occurs. The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program remains one of FEMA’s most important funding opportunities for pre-disaster mitigation, helping communities invest in projects that reduce long-term risk and improve public safety.
For municipalities and local governments, however, one of the most important things to understand is that BRIC funding is not accessed through a direct local application to FEMA. Instead, local governments must pursue funding as sub applicants, also referred to as subrecipients, through their state, territory or federally recognized Tribal applicant agency.
Who can apply under BRIC?
Although cities, townships, counties and special district governments are eligible to pursue BRIC funding, they do so indirectly. FEMA’s direct applicants are states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories and federally recognized Tribal Nations. Local governments participate by working through the designated applicant agency in their jurisdiction, typically the state hazard mitigation office.
This structure makes early coordination especially important. Municipal leaders interested in BRIC funding should begin by contacting their State Hazard Mitigation Officer or the agency managing the state’s BRIC process. In most cases, local deadlines come well before FEMA’s national deadline because the state must review, rank and submit projects on behalf of sub applicants.
What municipalities need before applying
Municipalities should understand that BRIC is not a simple infrastructure grant. Projects must meet FEMA’s mitigation and resilience requirements, which means the application must show more than a capital need.
For most hazard mitigation projects, the local government must have a FEMA approved Hazard Mitigation Plan, in place by the application deadline and at the time of award. Projects also need to be cost-effective, technically feasible and consistent with the priorities outlined in the applicable mitigation plan.
That means communities should be prepared to demonstrate not only that a problem exists, but that the proposed project will measurably reduce future risk.
What types of projects are eligible?
For municipalities, BRIC can support a broad range of infrastructure and resilience improvements designed to reduce the impact of future disasters. Eligible projects are intended to improve public safety, reduce injuries and loss of life, and protect public facilities and infrastructure from hazards such as flooding, severe storms, wildfire, drought and earthquakes.
Examples of municipal projects that may align well with BRIC include stormwater and drainage improvements in flood-prone areas, culvert and bridge replacements, roadway stabilization, utility hardening for water and wastewater systems, and upgrades that make critical infrastructure more resistant to natural hazards.
Communities may also pursue safe room or shelter construction, seismic retrofits, wind retrofits for public buildings, and acquisition or demolition of structures located in repetitive loss or high-risk flood areas. In some circumstances, FEMA also allows stand alone projects such as earthquake early warning systems.
Cybersecurity related investments may also be eligible when they are part of a larger infrastructure project involving operational technology or information technology that supports critical infrastructure resilience.
Beyond construction: Building capacity and stronger codes
BRIC is not limited to shovel-ready construction projects. Municipalities may also pursue certain capability and capacity building activities, provided those efforts are directly connected to infrastructure resilience.
This can include building code adoption and enforcement, technical training, and project scoping for a specific infrastructure project. FEMA has also created Building Code Plus-Up opportunities within BRIC to help communities evaluate and strengthen code adoption, improve implementation of hazard-resistant standards, and build workforce capacity through training and technical assistance.
For municipalities seeking a lower-cost entry point into resilience planning, these activities can be especially valuable. They may help position a community for stronger future applications while also improving local resilience standards in the near term.
Understanding the local match
Like many FEMA funding programs, BRIC requires a non-federal cost share. In most cases, the federal share is 75%, with the remaining 25% provided through non-federal match.
Small impoverished communities may qualify for an increased federal share of up to 90%, and insular areas may qualify for additional cost-share flexibility in limited situations.
Municipalities may also include subrecipient management costs, which can help offset the administrative burden associated with grant management.
Because funding is competitive, communities should carefully consider whether they have the match, project readiness and documentation needed to submit a strong application.
Why project readiness matters
BRIC is highly competitive nationwide, so strong applications generally have more than a compelling narrative. To make a competitive municipal proposal the GrantFinder Team suggests including a clear scope of work, detailed budget, evidence of project readiness, and a strong explanation of how the investment will reduce long-term risk.
For hazard mitigation projects, applicants should also expect to complete a benefit-cost analysis. FEMA’s review process places significant value on risk reduction, implementation capacity, infrastructure resilience and alignment with broader mitigation priorities.
The communities most likely to succeed are often those that start early, define their projects clearly and coordinate closely with their state hazard mitigation office throughout the process. State Hazard Mitigation Officers | FEMA.gov
A path forward for local governments
For municipalities, BRIC can be a powerful funding source for flood control, infrastructure hardening, public facility protection and long-term resilience improvements. But success depends on understanding the subrecipient process and preparing a project that fits FEMA’s priorities.
Local governments may not be able to apply directly to FEMA, but they absolutely can compete for BRIC funding through their state, territory or Tribal applicant agency. The strongest proposals are typically infrastructure-focused, supported by an approved mitigation plan and developed enough to show they are ready for implementation.
For municipal leaders looking to protect roads, utilities, public buildings and neighborhoods from future disaster impacts, BRIC remains a funding opportunity worth pursuing.
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