1 | P a g e

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grant Program

Fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement and other criminal or noncriminal misconduct related to this program may be reported to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) Hotline. The toll-free numbers to call are 1 (800) 323-8603 and TTY 1 (844) 889-4357.

Contents

1. Basic Information A. Agency Name B. NOFO Title C. Announcement Type D. Funding Opportunity Number E. Assistance Listing Number F. Expected Total Funding G. Anticipated Number of Awards H. Expected Award Range I. Projected Application Start Date J. Projected Application End Date K. Anticipated Funding Selection Date L. Anticipated Award Date M. Projected Period of Performance (POP) Start Date N. Projected POP End Date O. Executive Summary P. Agency Contact

2. Eligibility A. Eligible Entities/Entity Types B. Project Type Eligibility C. Requirements for Personnel, Partners, and Other Parties D. Maximum Number of Applications E. Additional Restrictions F. References for Eligibility Factors within the NOFO G. Cost Sharing Requirement H. Cost Share Description, Type and Restrictions I. Cost Sharing Calculation Example J. Required information for verifying Cost Share

3. Program Description A. Background, Program Purpose, and Program History B. Goals and Objectives C. Program Rationale D. Federal Assistance Type E. Performance Measures and Targets

2 | P a g e

F. Program-Specific Unallowable Costs G. General Funding Requirements H. Indirect Costs (Facilities and Administrative Costs) I. Management and Administration (M&A) Costs J. Pre-Award Costs K. Beneficiary Eligibility L. Participant Eligibility M. Authorizing Authority N. Appropriation Authority O. Budget Period P. Prohibition on Covered Equipment or Services

4. Application Contents and Format A. Pre-Application, Letter of Intent, and Whitepapers B. Application Content and Format C. Application Components D. Program-Specific Required Documents and Information E. Post-Application Requirements for Successful Applicants

5. Submission Requirements and Deadlines A. Address to Request Application Package B. Application Deadline C. Pre-Application Requirements Deadline D. Post-Application Requirements Deadline E. Effects of Missing the Deadline

6. Intergovernmental Review A. Requirement Description and State Single Point of Contact

7. Application Review Information A. Threshold Criteria B. Application Criteria C. Financial Integrity Criteria D. Supplemental Financial Integrity Criteria and Review E. Reviewers and Reviewer Selection F. Merit Review Process G. Final Selection

8. Award Notices A. Notice of Award B. Pass-Through Requirements C. Note Regarding Pre-Award Costs D. Obligation of Funds E. Notification to Unsuccessful Applicants

9. Post-Award Requirements and Administration A. Administrative and National Policy Requirements B. DHS Standard Terms and Conditions C. Financial Reporting Requirements D. Programmatic Performance Reporting Requirements E. Closeout Reporting Requirements F. Disclosing Information per 2 C.F.R. § 180.335

3 | P a g e

G. Reporting of Matters Related to Recipient Integrity and Performance H. Single Audit Report I. Monitoring and Oversight J. Program Evaluation K. Additional Performance Reporting Requirements Not applicable L. Termination of Federal Award M. Best Practices N. Payment Information O. Immigration Conditions

10. Other Information A. POP Extension B. Other Information

11. Appendix A – FY 2025 FP&S Program Updates

12. Appendix B – Programmatic Information and Priorities A. Supporting Definitions for this NOFO B. Funding Priorities

13. Appendix C – Award Administration Information A. Help FEMA Prevent Fraud, Waste, and Abuse B. Grant Writer and Preparation Fees C. Maintenance and Sustainment D. Taxes, Fees, Levies, and Assessments E. Excess Funds F. Payments and Amendments G. Disposition of Grant Funded Equipment

4 | P a g e

1. Basic Information

A. Agency Name U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Resilience/Grant Programs Directorate

(GPD)

B. NOFO Title Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grant Program

C. Announcement Type

Initial

D. Funding Opportunity Number

DHS-25-GPD-044-00-97

E. Assistance Listing Number

97.151

F. Expected Total Funding

$32.4 million

G. Anticipated Number of Awards

100 awards

H. Expected Award Range

$1 – $1.5 million*

*The total amount of funding a recipient may receive under an FP&S Program award is limited to a maximum federal share of $1.5 million set by § 33(d)(2) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974, Pub. L. 93-498, as amended (15 U.S.C. § 2229(d)(2)).

Research & Development (R&D) Activity applicants applying under the Early Career Investigator category are limited to a maximum federal share of $600,000 per project.

I. Projected Application Start Date

May 19, 2026 8 a.m. ET

J. Projected Application End Date

June 22, 2026 5 p.m. ET

K. Anticipated Funding Selection Date

No later than August 31, 2026

L. Anticipated Award Date

Beginning on approximately September 14, 2026 and continuing thereafter until all FY 2025 FP&S Program grant awards are issued (but no later than September 30, 2026).

5 | P a g e

M. Projected Period of Performance (POP) Start Date

August 31, 2026 (will vary based on award date and activity type)

N. Projected POP End Date

August 31, 2027 – August 31, 2030 (will vary based on award date and activity type)

O. Executive Summary

The focus of the FY 2025 FP&S Grant Program is to help protect the public and firefighters from fire and fire-related hazards. The FP&S Grant Program provides grants directly to eligible entities for fire prevention programs and firefighter safety, health or well-being research and development.

P. Agency Contact

a. Fire Grants Program Office Contact The Fire Grants Program Help Desk provides technical assistance to applicants for the online completion and submission of applications into FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO), answers questions concerning applicant eligibility, recipient responsibilities, and helps in the programmatic administration of awards. The Fire Grants Program Help Desk can be contacted at (866) 274-0960 or by email at FireGrants@fema.dhs.gov. Normal hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET.

Guidance documents such as application tutorials, Self-Evaluation Guides, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are also provided to further explain the current FP&S program, assist with the online grant application, and highlight lessons learned and changes for FY 2025.

For more details, please visit the FP&S Program website.

b. FEMA Grants News This channel provides general information on all FEMA grant programs and maintains a comprehensive database containing key personnel contact information at the federal, state, and local levels.

FEMA Grants News Team is reachable at fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov OR (800) 368-6498, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET.

c. GPD Award Administration Division GPD’s Award Administration Division (AAD) provides support regarding financial matters and budgetary technical assistance. AAD can be contacted at ASK-GMD@fema.dhs.gov.

d. FEMA Regional Offices Assistance to Firefighters Grants Regional Contacts also may provide fiscal support, including pre- and post-award administration and technical assistance. Assistance to Firefighters Grants Regional Office contacts are available at Assistance to Firefighters Grants Regional Contacts | FEMA.gov.

mailto:FireGrants@fema.dhs.gov.

https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/safety-awards mailto:fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov mailto:fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov mailto:ASK-GMD@fema.dhs.gov https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/regional-contacts https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/regional-contacts

6 | P a g e

e. Civil Rights Consistent with Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination & Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, the FEMA Integration and Coordination Division (ICD) is responsible for ensuring compliance with and enforcement of federal civil rights obligations in connection with programs and services conducted by FEMA. They are reachable at fema-ocr@fema.dhs.gov.

f. Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (EHP) The FEMA Office of Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (OEHP) provides guidance and information about the EHP review process to FEMA programs and recipients and subrecipients. Send any inquiries regarding compliance for FEMA grant projects under this NOFO to FEMA-OEHP- NOFOQuestions@fema.dhs.gov.

g. FEMA GO For technical assistance with the FEMA GO system, please contact the FEMA GO Helpdesk at femago@fema.dhs.gov or (877) 585-3242, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET.

2. Eligibility

A. Eligible Entities/Entity Types

Only the following entities or entity types are eligible to apply.

a. Applicants

1. FP&S Activity

Fire departments operating in any of the 50 states, as well as fire departments in the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,1 or any federally recognized Indian tribe or tribal organization. A fire department is an agency or organization having a formally recognized arrangement with a state, local, tribal, or territorial authority (city, county, parish, fire district, township, town, or other governing body) to provide fire suppression to a population within a geographically fixed primary first due response area. National, regional, state, local tribal Nation and nonprofit interest organizations that are recognized for their experience and expertise in fire prevention and safety programs and activities are eligible applicants.

1 The District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are all defined as “States” in the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974. See 15 U.S.C. § 2203(10).

mailto:fema-ocr@fema.dhs.gov mailto:FEMA-OEHP-NOFOQuestions@fema.dhs.gov mailto:FEMA-OEHP-NOFOQuestions@fema.dhs.gov mailto:femago@fema.dhs.gov

7 | P a g e

Both private and public nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for funding under this activity.

2. R&D Activity

National, state, local, federally recognized Tribal Nation and non-profit organizations, such as academic (e.g., universities), research foundations, public safety institutes, public health, occupational health, and injury prevention institutions.

Both private and public non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for funding in this activity. Fire departments are not eligible to apply for funding in this activity.

Each activity has its own application and eligibility requirements, as further outlined in Appendix B – Programmatic Information and Priorities of this NOFO.

b. Subapplicants Subapplicants and subawards are allowed for both activities.

Subapplicants should not have foreign nationals or noncitizens included. If a subapplicant has foreign nationals, they must be properly vetted and must adhere to all government statutes, policies, and procedures including “staff American, stay in America” and security requirements.

B. Project Type Eligibility

a. Unallowable Project Types Please see Appendix B – Programmatic Information and Priorities of this NOFO for additional information on unallowable project types.

b. Allowable Project Types

1. FP&S Activity

The FP&S Activity is designed to reach high-risk target groups2 and mitigate the incidence of death and injuries caused by fire and fire-related hazards. The five project categories eligible for funding under this activity are:

1. Community Risk Reduction;

2. Wildfire Risk Reduction;

3. Code Enforcement/Awareness;

2 Per 15 U.S. Code § 2229(j)(3)(A) FEMA shall give priority to applicants who focus on prevention of injuries to high-risk groups from fire. Applicants may choose the following options within the application to include children under 14, adults over 65, firefighters, people with disabilities (e.g., deaf/hard-of hearing), college/university housing, low-income families/neighborhoods, geographic area and/or other populations.

8 | P a g e

4. Origin and Cause Investigation; and

5. National/State/Regional Programs and Projects.

The R&D Activity is aimed at improving firefighter safety, health, or well-being through research and development that reduces firefighter fatalities and injuries. The four project categories eligible for funding under this activity are:

1. Clinical Studies;

2. Technology and Product Development;

3. Preliminary Studies; and

4. Early Career Investigator.

C. Requirements for Personnel, Partners, and Other Parties

An application submitted by an otherwise eligible non-federal entity (i.e., the applicant) may be deemed ineligible when the person that submitted the application is not: 1) a current employee, personnel, official, staff or leadership of the non-federal entity; and 2) duly authorized to apply for an award on behalf of the non-federal entity at the time of application.

Further, the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) must be a duly authorized current employee, personnel, official, staff or leadership of the recipient and provide an email address unique to the recipient at the time of application and upon any change in assignment during the POP. Consultants or contractors of the recipient are not permitted to be the AOR of the recipient.

FEMA employees are prohibited from serving in any capacity (paid or unpaid) on the development of any proposal submitted under this program.

Subapplicants should not have foreign nationals or noncitizens included. If a subapplicant has foreign nationals, they must be properly vetted and must adhere to all government statues, polices, and procedures including “staff American, stay in America” and security requirements.

Subapplicants/subrecipients must submit short bios and resumes. This should include the type of entity, organizational leadership, and board members along with the both the names and addresses of the individuals. Resumes are subject to approval.

D. Maximum Number of Applications

The maximum number of applications that can be submitted under the FP&S Program is:

9 | P a g e

1. One application per eligible entity, per activity (up to one application under the FP&S Activity and up to one application under the R&D Activity).

Each application may include up to three projects. Each project within an application must be presented separately as a free-standing proposal. Each project requires its own separate supporting budget and narrative statement.

If an applicant submits two or more applications for the same activity, both applications may be disqualified.

This is different from when an entity is applying on behalf of other organizations that are agencies or instrumentalities of the applicant (e.g., multiple fire departments under the same county, city, borough, parish or other municipality).

In that situation, the applicant may request similar or the same costs as long as the application clearly states which costs (including quantities) are for which agency/instrumentality.

This is permissible even if that entity submits multiple applications across regional versus direct applications.

E. Additional Restrictions

a. POP Restrictions The POP may be between 12 and 48 months.

1. FP&S Activity

The POP for projects funded under the FP&S Activity is generally 12 months. Eligible applicants who propose complex projects may apply for up to a 24-month POP from the date of award.

2. R&D Activity

The POP for projects proposed under the R&D Activity will be 12, 24, 36, or 48 months from the date of award.

b. National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) NERIS reporting is not required to apply for the FP&S Program.

However, fire departments receiving funding must agree to report to NFIRS or NERIS during the performance period. If unable to report at the time of the award, recipients must establish reporting capacity within 24 months and report for at least 12 months once capable.

FEMA may request proof of compliance, and noncompliance during the performance period may result in remedies under 2 C.F.R. §

200.339. Nonaffiliated emergency medical services (EMS)

organizations and SFTAs are exempt from NFIRS/NERIS reporting requirements.

10 | P a g e

c. National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation FP&S Program applicants are not required to comply with NIMS to apply for FP&S Program funding or to receive an FP&S Program award. Any applicant who receives a FY 2025 FP&S Program award must achieve the level of NIMS compliance required by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) over the applicant’s emergency service operations (e.g., a local government) before the end of the grant’s performance period.

Applicants/subapplicants or recipients/subrecipients are required to certify their compliance with federal statutes, DHS directives, polices, and procedures.

F. References for Eligibility Factors within the NOFO

Please see the following references provided below:

1. “Responsiveness Review Criteria” subsection

2. “Financial Integrity Criteria” subsection

3. “Supplemental Financial Integrity Criteria and Review” subsection

4. Appendix B – Programmatic Information and Priorities

5. FEMA may request financial information such as Employer

Identification Number (EIN) and bank information as part of the potential award selection. This will apply to everyone prospered, including subrecipients.

G. Cost Sharing Requirement

Applicants selected for this award must agree to an acceptable cost share agreement. Otherwise, they will not be funded.

Please see Section 7.B “Application Criteria” for more information.

H. Cost Share Description, Type and Restrictions

Recipient cost sharing is generally required as described below and under 15 U.S.C.§ 2229(k)(1). In general, eligible applicants shall agree to make available non-federal funds to carry out an FP&S Program award in an amount equal to not less than 5 percent of the grant award.

a. Types of Cost Share

Cash (Hard Match): Cost share of non-federal cash is allowable for FP&S Program grants.

In-kind (Soft Match): In-kind cost share is allowable for FP&S Program grants, including the value of the following:

• Complementary activities (such as providing additional smoke alarms for installation or education materials for public education); and

• Provision of staff, facilities, services, materials, equipment.

https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/nims https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:15%20section:2229%20edition:prelim)

11 | P a g e

In-kind is the value of something received or provided that does not have a cost associated with it. For example, the value of donated services could be used to comply with the match requirement. Also, third party in-kind contributions may count toward satisfying match requirements, if the recipient expends them as allowable costs.

Recipients who use in-kind contributions for their 5 percent cost share must comply with all applicable regulations and 2 C.F.R. § 200.306 regarding matching or cost-sharing.

I. Cost Sharing Calculation Example

FEMA has developed a cost share calculator tool to assist applicants with determining their cost share. The is available on the FEMA website at Fire Prevention and Safety Documents.

J. Required information for verifying Cost Share

Applicants must submit their plan for cost share within the Request Details (Budget) section of the grant application.

Maintenance of Effort

Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 2229(k)(3), an applicant seeking an FP&S Program grant shall agree to maintain, during the term of the grant, the applicant’s aggregate expenditures relating to activities allowable under this NOFO, at not less than 80 percent of the average amount of such expenditures in the two FYs before the FY an FP&S Program grant is awarded.

Applicants must submit budget reports for the year they are applying, as well as the two years prior.

In other words, an applicant agrees that if it receives a grant award, the applicant will keep its overall expenditures during the award’s POP for activities that could be allowable costs under this NOFO at a level that is at least 80% or more of the average of what the applicant spent on such costs for those activities in FY 2023 and 2024. This includes those funded with non-federal funding for activities that could be allowable costs under this NOFO.

3. Program Description

A. Background, Program Purpose, and Program History The FY 2025 FP&S Grant Program is one of three grant programs that constitute the DHS and FEMA’s focus on enhancing the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards. The FP&S Program provides financial assistance directly to eligible fire departments, national, regional, state, local, tribal and non-profit organizations such as academic (e.g. universities), research foundations, public safety institutes, public health, occupational health, and injury prevention institutions for fire prevention programs and firefighter safety, health, or well-being research and development. The funding categories for FP&S are:

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.306 https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/safety-awards/documents https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:15%20section:2229%20edition:prelim)

12 | P a g e

1. Community Risk Reduction;

2. Wildfire Risk Reduction;

3. Code Enforcement/Awareness;

4. Origin and Cause Investigation; and

5. National/State/Regional Programs and Projects.

The funding categories for R&D are:

1. Clinical Studies;

2. Technology and Product Development;

3. Preliminary Studies; and,

4. Early Career Investigator.

Abstracts and results of research and development grants that have been funded under this program can be found at Fire Prevention and Safety | FEMA.gov.

B. Goals and Objectives Goal: The goal of the FP&S Program is to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards by providing grants to eligible fire departments, national, regional, state, local, tribal and non-profit organizations such as academic (e.g., universities) institutions, research foundations, public safety institutes, public health, occupational health, and injury prevention institutions. The FP&S Program strives to strengthen community fire prevention programs and enable innovative solutions to improve firefighter safety, health, and well-being.

Objectives: The objectives of the FP&S Program are to provide resources to:

• Reduce community fire risk through assessments, education and tools;

• Reduce wildfire risk through property assessments, education, and fuel reduction;

• Increase code awareness, adoption, reinstatement and enforcement;

• Increase fire origin and cause investigations;

• Enhance the safety of the public and firefighters through national programs that aim to improve behaviors and decision-making regarding fires; and

• Increase research to improve firefighter safety, health or well-being.

Priorities: Information on program priorities and objectives for the FY 2025 FP&S Program can be found in Appendix B – Programmatic Information and Priorities of this NOFO.

C. Program Rationale The FP&S Program represents part of a comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress3 and implemented by DHS. By enhancing the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards, the FP&S program provides critically needed resources to strengthen community fire prevention programs and enables scientific research on innovations that improve firefighter safety, health and well-being.

3 Section 33 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974, Pub. L. No. 93-498, as amended (15 U.S.C. § 2229).

https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/safety-awards/research-development

13 | P a g e

Through these objectives, FEMA creates a vision for the field of emergency management and sets an ambitious, yet achievable, path forward to unify and further professionalize emergency management across the country. We invite all our stakeholders and partners to join us in building a more prepared and resilient nation.

D. Federal Assistance Type Grant

E. Performance Measures and Targets Grant recipients must collect data to help FEMA evaluate the performance of FP&S Program grants. These metrics align with the program’s objectives and priorities. FEMA may request performance data throughout the grant’s POP. At closeout, recipients must submit a final performance report with enough information to show they met the performance goals outlined in their award.

FEMA will assess performance by comparing the items, supplies, projects, and activities requested in the application to those acquired and delivered by the end of the performance period. The following program metrics will be used:

• FP&S Activity:

o Community Risk Reduction: Percentage of target population receiving an intervention. See Section 2.B., Footnote 2, defining certain categories of high-risk target populations for whom the FP&S Program shall give priority under 15 U.S.C. § 2229.

o Wildfire Risk Reduction: Percentage of target population receiving an intervention.

o Code Enforcement/Awareness: Percentage of properties inspected.

o Origin and Cause Investigation: Percentage of fires where cause is determined.

o National/State/Regional Programs and Projects: Number of firefighters receiving interventions.

• R&D Activity:

o All Categories: Percentage of research project aims met.

The target for these measures is set by each applicant within the grant application. For example, “we plan to install smoke alarms in 500 households, reaching a total of 2,000 individuals.” In this case, the measure would be which percentage of 500 households were able to install smoke alarms.

F. Program-Specific Unallowable Costs Please see Appendix B – Programmatic Information and Priorities for additional information on funding restrictions and allowable costs.

G. General Funding Requirements Costs charged to federal awards (including federal and non-federal cost share funds) must comply with applicable statutes, rules and regulations, policies, this NOFO, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. This includes, among other requirements, that costs must be

14 | P a g e incurred, and products and services must be delivered within the budget period. 2 C.F.R. § 200.403(h).

Recipients may not use federal funds or any cost share funds for the following activities:

1. Matching or cost sharing requirements for other federal grants and cooperative agreements (see 2 C.F.R. § 200.306).

2. Lobbying or other prohibited activities under 18 U.S.C. § 1913 or 2 C.F.R. § 200.450.

3. Prosecuting claims against the federal government or any other government entity (see 2

C.F.R. § 200.435).

H. Indirect Costs (Facilities and Administrative Costs) Indirect costs are allowed for recipients and subrecipients.

Indirect costs (IDC) are costs incurred for a common or joint purpose benefitting more than one cost objective and not readily assignable to specific cost objectives without disproportionate effort. Applicants with a current negotiated IDC rate agreement who desire to charge indirect costs to a federal award must provide a copy of their IDC rate agreement with their applications.

Not all applicants are required to have a current negotiated IDC rate agreement. Applicants that are not required to have a negotiated IDC rate agreement, but are required to develop an IDC rate proposal, must provide a copy of their proposal with their applications. Applicants without a current negotiated IDC rate agreement (including a provisional rate) and wish to charge the de minimis rate must reach out to FEMA for further instructions. Applicants who wish to use a cost allocation plan in lieu of an IDC rate proposal must reach out to FEMA for further instructions.

As it relates to the IDC for subrecipients, a recipient must follow the requirements of 2 C.F.R. §§

200.332 and 200.414 in approving the IDC rate for subawards.

I. Management and Administration (M&A) Costs M&A costs are allowed.

Recipients may use up to 3% of the federal share of FP&S Program funds for M&A costs directly related to managing and administering the FP&S award, such as financial management and monitoring. These costs must be based on actual expenses or known contractual costs.

Requests based on simple percentages of the award or unsupported estimates will not be approved or reimbursed. Salaries and fringe benefits for personnel directly supporting the grant do not need to be included in the M&A budget line item.

M&A are not overhead costs but are necessary direct costs incurred in direct support of the federal award or as a consequence of it, such as travel, meeting-related expenses, and salaries of full/part-time staff in direct support of the program. As such, M&A costs can be itemized in financial reports.

J. Pre-Award Costs The following pre-award costs are allowable:

1. Fees for grant writers (capped at $1,500 of federal funds per application).

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRea20080eff2ea53/section-200.403 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.306 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-1999-title18-section1913&num=0&edition=1999 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.450 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.435 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR031321e29ac5bbd/section-200.332 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR031321e29ac5bbd/section-200.332 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRd93f2a98b1f6455/section-200.414

15 | P a g e

Generally, grant funds cannot be used to pay for products and services contracted for or obligated before the effective date of the award.

See Appendix C – Award Administration Information for further information regarding grant writer fees and Section 10.B Other Information for general procurement under grants requirements.

K. Beneficiary Eligibility There are no program requirements to be an eligible beneficiary. This NOFO and any subsequent federal awards create no rights or causes of action for any beneficiary.

L. Participant Eligibility There are no program requirements to be an eligible participant. This NOFO and any subsequent federal awards create no rights or causes of action for any participant.

M. Authorizing Authority Section 33 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974, Pub. L. No. 93-498, as amended (15 U.S.C. § 2229).

N. Appropriation Authority Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, Pub. L. No. 119-4, § 1101.

O. Budget Period There will be only a single budget period with the same start and end dates as the POP.

P. Prohibition on Covered Equipment or Services Recipients, subrecipients, and their contractors or subcontractors must comply with the prohibitions set forth in Section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2019, which restrict the purchase of covered telecommunications and surveillance equipment and services. Please see 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.216, 200.327, 200.471, and Appendix II to 2 C.F.R. Part 200, and FEMA Policy #405-143-1 - Prohibitions on Expending FEMA Award Funds for Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services for more information.

4. Application Contents and Format

A. Pre-Application, Letter of Intent, and Whitepapers Pre-applications, letters of intent, and whitepapers are not required to be eligible to apply.

B. Application Content and Format Applications are processed through the FEMA GO system. To access the system, go to https://go.fema.gov/.

Additional application and program guidance documents are available at the FP&S Program website.

C. Application Components https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-88/pdf/STATUTE-88-Pg1535.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2015-title15/pdf/USCODE-2015-title15-chap49-sec2229a.pdf https://www.congress.gov/119/plaws/publ4/PLAW-119publ4.pdf https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5515/text https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5515/text https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.216 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR45ddd4419ad436d/section-200.327 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.471 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/appendix-Appendix%20II%20to%20Part%20200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/appendix-Appendix%20II%20to%20Part%20200 https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_policy-405-143-1-prohibition-covered-services-equipment-gpd.pdf https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_policy-405-143-1-prohibition-covered-services-equipment-gpd.pdf https://go.fema.gov/

16 | P a g e

The following forms or information are required to be submitted via FEMA GO. The Standard Forms (SF) are also available at Forms | Grants.gov.

• SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

• Grants.gov Lobbying Form, Certification Regarding Lobbying

• SF-424A, Budget Information (Non-Construction)

• SF-424B, Standard Assurances (Non-Construction)

• SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

D. Program-Specific Required Documents and Information The following program-specific document is required to be submitted as an attachment in FEMA GO for each regional project under the FP&S Activity:

1. Regional host applicants and participating partner agencies must execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), or equivalent document signed by the host and all participating organizations participating in the award.

The following program-specific documents are required to be submitted as attachments in FEMA GO for each project under the R&D Activity:

1. No more than a five-page Narrative Statement that responds to the Fire Service Panel Evaluation Criteria;

2. No more than a 20-page Narrative Statement that responds to the Science Panel Evaluation Criteria; and

3. No more than a 35-page Appendix.

The required formatting and content instructions for these documents can be found in the Tips and Guidelines for FP&S R&D Applicants.

E. Post-Application Requirements for Successful Applicants Applicants likely to be funded may receive a request for additional information by email before award. Applicants must respond to the request to move forward with the grant review process.

5. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

A. Address to Request Application Package Applications are processed through the FEMA GO system. To access the system, go to https://go.fema.gov/.

Steps Required to Apply For An Award Under This Program and Submit an Application:

To apply for an award under this program, all applicants must:

a. Apply for, update, or verify their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number and EIN from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS);

b. In the application, provide an UEI number;

c. Have an account with login.gov;

https://www.grants.gov/forms https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/safety-awards/documents https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/safety-awards/documents https://go.fema.gov/ https://www.login.gov/

17 | P a g e

d. Register for, update or verify their System for Award Management (SAM) account and ensure the account is active before submitting the application;

e. Register in FEMA GO, add the organization to the system, and establish the AOR. The organization’s electronic business point of contact (eBiz POC) from the SAM registration may need to be involved in this step. For step-by-step instructions, see https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/181607;

f. Submit the complete application in FEMA GO; and

g. Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a federal awarding agency. As part of this, applicants must also provide information on an applicant’s immediate and highest-level owner and subsidiaries, as well as on all predecessors that have been awarded federal contracts or federal financial assistance within the last three years, if applicable.

Per 2 C.F.R. § 25.110(a)(2)(iv), if an applicant is experiencing exigent circumstances that prevents it from obtaining an UEI number and completing SAM registration before receiving a federal award, the applicant must notify FEMA as soon as possible. Contact fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov and provide the details of the exigent circumstances.

How to Register to Apply:

General Instructions:

Registering and applying for an award under this program is a multi-step process. Below are instructions for registering to apply for FEMA funds. Read them carefully and prepare the requested information before beginning the registration process. Gathering the required information before starting the process will alleviate last-minute searches for required information.

The registration process can take up to four weeks to complete. To ensure an application meets the deadline, applicants are advised to start the required steps well in advance of their submission.

Organizations must have a UEI number, EIN and an active SAM registration.

Obtain a UEI Number:

All entities applying for funding, including renewal funding, must have a UEI number.

Applicants must enter the UEI number in the applicable data entry field on the SF-424 form. For more detailed instructions for obtaining a UEI number, refer to SAM.gov.

Obtain EIN:

In addition to having a UEI number, all entities applying for funding must provide an EIN. The EIN can be obtained from the IRS by visiting https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online.

Create a login.gov account:

https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/181607 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-A/section-25.110 mailto:fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov mailto:fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov https://sam.gov/content/home https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online

18 | P a g e

Applicants must have a login.gov account in order to register with SAM or update their SAM registration. Applicants can create a login.gov account at https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-a62b99571fd.

Applicants only have to create a login.gov account once. For existing SAM users, use the same email address for both login.gov and SAM.gov so that the two accounts can be linked.

For more information on the login.gov requirements for SAM registration, refer to https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/loginFAQ.jsf.

Register with SAM:

In addition to having a UEI number, all organizations must register with SAM. Failure to register with SAM will prevent your organization from applying through FEMA GO. SAM registration must be renewed annually and must remain active throughout the entire grant life cycle.

For more detailed instructions for registering with SAM, refer to: Register with SAM

Note: per 2 C.F.R. § 25.200 , applicants must also provide the applicant’s immediate and highest-level owner, subsidiaries, and predecessors that have been awarded federal contracts or federal financial assistance within the past three years, if applicable.

Register in FEMA GO, Add the Organization to the System, and Establish the AOR:

Applicants must register in FEMA GO and add their organization to the system. The organization’s eBiz point of contact (POC) from the SAM registration may need to be involved in this step. For step-by-step instructions, see: FEMA GO Startup Guide

Note: FEMA GO will support only the most recent major release of the following browsers:

Google Chrome;

Mozilla Firefox;

Apple Safari; and

Microsoft Edge.

Applicants using tablet type devices or other browsers may encounter issues with using FEMA

GO.

Submitting the Final Application:

Applicants will be prompted to submit the standard application information, and any program-specific information required. SFs may be accessed in the Forms tab under the: SF-424 Family | Grants.gov.

Applicants should review these forms before applying to ensure they are providing all required information.

https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-a62b99571fd https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-a62b99571fd https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/loginFAQ.jsf https://apply07.grants.gov/help/html/help/Register/RegisterWithSAM.htm https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-25/subpart-B/section-25.200 https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema-go_startup-guide.pdf https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family

19 | P a g e

After submitting the final application, FEMA GO will provide either an error message, or an email to the submitting AOR confirming the transmission was successfully received.

B. Application Deadline 06/22/2026 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time

C. Pre-Application Requirements Deadline Not applicable.

D. Post-Application Requirements Deadline Not applicable.

E. Effects of Missing the Deadline All applications must be completed in FEMA GO by the application deadline. FEMA GO automatically records proof of submission and generates an electronic date/time stamp when FEMA GO successfully receives an application. The submitting AOR will receive via email the official date/time stamp and a FEMA GO tracking number to serve as proof of timely submission prior to the application deadline.

Applicants experiencing system-related issues have until 3:00 PM ET on the date applications are due to notify FEMA. No new system-related issues will be addressed after this deadline. Applications not received by the application submission deadline will not be accepted.

6. Intergovernmental Review

A. Requirement Description and State Single Point of Contact An intergovernmental review may be required. Applicants must contact their state’s Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to comply with the state’s process under Executive Order 12372.

7. Application Review Information

A. Threshold Criteria If two or more entities have different funding streams, personnel rosters, and EINs but share the same facilities, FEMA considers them as being separate organizations for the purposes of FY 2025 FP&S Program eligibility.

FEMA will review applications for duplication of benefits if two or more organizations share facilities and each submit an application in the same activity.

FEMA reviews a random sample of applications to check for duplication, including narrative statements and statistical data. All narrative statements must be specific and unique to the applicant, and all statistical data must be accurate. Applications with narrative statements that substantially duplicate content from other applications or contain inaccurate data that could mislead reviewers may be disqualified. Any discovery of falsification, fabrication or plagiarism will result in disqualification.

https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SPOC-list-as-of-August-2024.pdf https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SPOC-list-as-of-August-2024.pdf

20 | P a g e

Note: FEMA evaluates each application based on its merit, accuracy and how well the narrative reflects the applicant’s unique circumstances, risks and needs.

Examples of ineligible applications and/or organizations include:

• For-profit organizations, federal agencies, and individuals

• Fire departments that are a Federal Government entity, or contracted by the Federal

Government, and are solely responsible under a formally recognized agreement for suppression of fires on federal installations or land

• Fire departments that are not independent entities but are part of, controlled by, or under the day-to-day operational command and control of a larger department, agency or AHJ o However, if a fire department is considered to be the same legal entity as a municipality or other governmental organization, and otherwise meets the eligibility criteria, that municipality or other governmental organization may apply on behalf of that fire department as long as the application clearly states that the fire department is considered part of the same legal entity

• Non-federal airport or port authority fire departments whose sole responsibility is the suppression of fires on the airport grounds or port facilities, unless the airport/port fire department has a formally recognized arrangement with the local jurisdiction to provide fire suppression on a first-due basis outside the confines of the airport or port facilities.

B. Application Criteria FEMA sets funding priorities and evaluation criteria for FP&S Program applications based on recommendations from the Criteria Development Panel (CDP). Each year, FEMA brings together a panel of fire service professionals to establish these priorities and criteria. The panel provides input on funding priorities and helps develop the criteria used to award grants.

The nine major fire service organizations represented on the panel are:

• International Association of Fire Chiefs

• International Association of Fire Fighters

• National Volunteer Fire Council

• National Fire Protection Association

• National Association of State Fire Marshals

• International Association of Arson Investigators

• International Society of Fire Service Instructors

• North American Fire Training Directors

• Congressional Fire Service Institute

CDP and Application Evaluation The CDP advises FEMA on creating or updating funding priorities and developing criteria for awarding grants. This NOFO reflects the CDP’s recommendations regarding priorities, direction, and award criteria.

21 | P a g e

FEMA ranks all complete applications based on how well they align with the program priorities for the specific activity. Responses to the activity-specific questions in the application are used to determine each application’s ranking relative to these priorities.

More detailed information may be found in 7.F: Merit Review Process.

C. Financial Integrity Criteria Before making an award, FEMA is required to review Office of Management and Budget (OMB)-designated databases for applicants’ eligibility and financial integrity information. This is required by the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 (Pub. L. No. 116-117, § 2 (2020)), 41 U.S.C. § 2313, and the “Do Not Pay Initiative” (31 U.S.C. 3354). For more details, please see 2 C.F.R. § 200.206.

Thus, the Financial Integrity Criteria may include the following risk-based considerations of the applicant:

1. Financial stability;

2. Quality of management systems and ability to meet management standards;

3. History of performance in managing federal award;

4. Reports and findings from audits; and

5. Ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory or other requirements.

D. Supplemental Financial Integrity Criteria and Review Before making an award expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, defined at 41 U.S.C. § 134, over the POP:

1. FEMA is required by 41 U.S.C. § 2313: to review or consider certain information found in SAM.gov. For details, please see 2 C.F.R. § 200.206(a)(2).

2. An applicant may review and comment on any information in the responsibility/qualification records available in SAM.gov.

3. Before making decisions in the risk review required by 2 C.F.R. § 200.206, FEMA will consider any comments by the applicant.

E. Reviewers and Reviewer Selection A panel of peer reviewers is comprised of fire service representatives recommended by the CDP.

Peer reviewers are subject-matter experts recommended by the nine major fire service organizations. In their role as Special Government Employees, peer reviewers must certify and observe Federal Conflict of Interests rules.

F. Merit Review Process

a. Peer Review Panel Process FP&S Program applications go through the following Peer Review Panel process:

1. FP&S Activity https://www.govinfo.gov/link/plaw/116/public/117 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/41/2313 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/31/3354 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.206 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title41-section2313&num=0&edition=prelim https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.206 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.206

22 | P a g e

Peer reviewers will independently grade each narrative statement within each project. The evaluation elements listed in the “Narrative Evaluation Criteria” below will be used to calculate the score for each project. If needed, peer reviewers will meet as a team to discuss the merits and/or shortcomings of the application. A consensus is not required.

The Peer Review Panel process is composed of a Fire Service Panel Review and a Science Panel Review. Narratives within the application will be evaluated through the following processes:

• Fire Service Panel Review: All eligible project applications will first be reviewed and scored by a panel of fire service experts to assess the need and priority for the research results and the likelihood that the results…