Mitigation eGrants System

Overview

FEMA has developed a web-based, electronic grants (eGrants) management system to allow States, Federally-recognized Indian Tribal governments, territories, and local governments to apply for and manage their mitigation grant application processes electronically.  The eGrants system is an intuitive, user-friendly system that follows the paper application requirements and processes.

The Mitigation eGrants System Internet site, portal.fema.gov, has available the electronic grant applications for:

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Background

FEMA developed the eGrants system to meet the intent of the eGovernment initiative, authorized by Public Law 106-107, the Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act, passed on November 20, 1999.  This initiative requires that all government agencies both streamline grant application processes and provide the means to electronically create, review, and submit a grant application via the Internet.

As a part of the eGovernment initiative, FEMA's Mitigation eGrants system reduces the time and paperwork involved in the application process and at full development will manage the grant process through the entire grant life cycle from submission of an application to grant closeout.

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How it Works

Eligible applicants (states, Federally-recognized Indian tribal governments that wish to apply directly to FEMA, and territories) should contact their FEMA Regional Office for an access code to request privileges for eGrants when registering for first-time use.  Each applicant will approve user registrations from their local government sub-applicants.

Applicants will also review sub-applications submitted by local governments for inclusion in their grant applications to FEMA.  Applicants will submit their grant applications directly to FEMA for review.

Eligible sub-applicants (Federally-recognized Indian tribal governments that choose to apply to their state, state-recognized Indian tribes, authorized Indian tribal organizations, Alaska Native villages, and local governments) should contact their State Hazard Mitigation Officer  to obtain an access code to request privileges for eGrants when registering for first-time use.  Sub-applicants will submit their sub-applications to their state/Tribe/territory for review and possible inclusion in a grant application to FEMA.

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Application Process

Eligible applicants (states, Federally-recognized Indian tribal governments that wish to apply directly to FEMA, and territories) may:

  1. Enter paper planning and project sub-applications, if any, on behalf of their local/tribal sub-applicants using the Paper Intake function under the Sub-grant Applications section of the Grantee Homepage in eGrants;
  2. Review and approve their paper and electronic sub-applicants' planning and project sub-applications using the Review Submitted Sub-applications link under the Sub-grant Applications section of the Grantee Homepage in eGrants;
  3. Create planning, project, and management costs sub-applications, if any, on behalf of the grant applicant's agency under the Grant Applicant Acting As Subgrant Applicant section of the Grantee Homepage in eGrants;
  4. Create grant applications using the Create New Grant Application link under the Grant Applications section of the Grantee Homepage in eGrants and attach approved planning, project, and management costs sub-applications;
  5. Submit grant applications to FEMA.

The Grant Applicant Quick Reference Guide available from the FEMA Library provides further instruction.  FEMA also developed an eGrants Fact Sheet for Indian Tribal Governments, also available from the FEMA Library, that provides eGrants information specific to Federally-recognized Indian tribal governments.  FEMA is currently developing online training for eGrants applicant users.  The course will be made available on FEMA's Emergency Management Institute's (EMI) Independent Study Program web page in 2008.

Eligible sub-applicants (Federally-recognized Indian tribal governments that choose to apply to their state, state-recognized Indian tribes, authorized Indian tribal organizations, Alaska Native villages, and local governments) may submit planning and/or project sub-application(s) to their state/Tribe/territory for review and consideration for inclusion in a grant application to FEMA. Sub-applicants should consult the State Hazard Mitigation Officer  in their state/Tribe/territory for more information regarding the application process. 

The Subgrant Applicant Quick Reference Guide, available from the FEMA Library, provides information on how to create planning and project sub-applications and submit them to the state in eGrants.

FEMA has also developed online training for eGrants sub-applicant users.  The course provides basic instruction on using eGrants, including registering for access to the eGrants System; creating, completing and submitting subgrant applications to the Grant Applicants; and managing submitted applications.

IS-30 Mitigation eGrants for the Subgrant Applicants is available on FEMA's Emergency Management Institute's (EMI) Independent Study Program web page.

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Blank Applications

Blank planning, project, and management costs sub-applications as well as grant applications for Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA),  Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM), and Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL) that follow the eGrants format are available from the Print Blank Applications link on the eGrants Homepage: portal.fema.gov  as well as from the FEMA Library:

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Technical Assistance

The Grant Applicant Quick Reference Guide and Subgrant Applicant Quick Reference Guide, available from the FEMA Library, provide information for applicants and sub-applicants on how to create and submit applications using the Mitigation eGrants system.

For specific eGrants system technical assistance, the Mitigation eGrants Helpdesk toll-free telephone number is available Monday through Friday 9-5 (ET): 1-866-476-0544.   Technical questions may also be e-mailed to the e-Grants Helpdesk at mtegrants@dhs.gov.  Input and comments are encouraged and may be e-mailed to the Mitigation eGrants Helpdesk as well.

FEMA has also developed online training for eGrants sub-applicant users:  IS-30 Mitigation eGrants for the Subgrant Applicants, available on FEMA's Emergency Management Institute's (EMI) Independent Study Program web page. Course topics include registering for access to the eGrants System; creating, completing and submitting subgrant applications to the Grant Applicants; and managing submitted applications.  The course may be accessed for use as a refresher/reference on a specific topic in addition to being taken in its entirety for credit.

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Last Modified: Tuesday, 22-Jan-2008 11:54:18 EST

References

Online Tools

Training