VDEM announces application period for FY24 and FY25 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)

Friday, March 27, 2026/Categories: News Board

FEMA has announced the release of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the FY24 & FY25 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant funding opportunity which includes a total of $1B in funding for this nationally competitive program.

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) is currently accepting pre-applications and applications for this funding cycle. VDEM will provide additional details and upcoming webinar information soon!

VDEM Application Open Date: March 25, 2026

VDEM Application Close Date: May 25, 2026 

The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program makes federal funds available for hazard mitigation activities with the goal of lowering future disaster costs. Key changes from previous years, include a shift toward narrower, construction-ready infrastructure projects, stronger emphasis on building codes, stricter funding caps per project, and streamlined review, while eliminating broad planning and phased funding paths that were previously accepted.

Allowable project types

Capability- and Capacity-Building Activities – activities that directly support infrastructure resilience, such as the adoption, enforcement, and implementation of hazard-resistant building codes. These activities must be directly tied to infrastructure projects such as building code adoption/enforcement, related technical training and project scoping activities for specific infrastructure are eligible. Hazard Mitigation Plan development or updates, and project scoping activities not directly supporting a specific infrastructure project are not eligible under BRIC.

Hazard Mitigation Projects – cost-effective infrastructure and construction projects designed to increase resilience and public safety; reduce injuries and loss of life; and reduce damage and destruction to property, critical services, facilities, and infrastructure (including natural systems) from a multitude of natural hazards, including drought, wildfire, earthquakes, and the effects of natural weather disasters. Only infrastructure and construction projects that have, at a minimum, a conceptual design are eligible; phased projects are not eligible.

Application submission

All project applications, and supporting documentation, must be submitted through VDEM EM Grants. If you do not have a VDEM EM Grants account, please register for an account here and indicate the reason as BRIC application, and the program category as Hazard Mitigation Assistance. VDEM staff will review and approve your account request, at which point you can begin the pre-application and application process.

Please do not attempt to submit your application in FEMA GO.

VDEM Contact: For more information on the application process and eligibility criteria, contact your locality’s VDEM regional hazard mitigation grant administrator listed here.