Grant Programs Directorate Information Bulletin
No. 357
March 10, 2011

To: 		All State Administrative Agency Heads
                        All State Administrative Agency Points of Contact
                        All State Homeland Security Directors
                        All State Emergency Management Agency Directors
                        All Urban Areas Security Initiative Points of Contact
                        All Tribal Nation Points of Contact
                        All Public and Private Sector Port Security Partners
                        All Private Sector Transportation Security Partners   
                        All Eligible Regional Transit Agencies

FROM:	Elizabeth M. Harman
Assistant Administrator
Grant Programs Directorate

SUBJECT:      Information Bulletin – FY 2011 Preparedness Grant Programs Update

As you are aware, the Federal government has been operating without a final Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 Appropriations Act and has continued operations under several continuing resolutions since October 1, 2010.  The current continuing resolution is in effect until March 18, 2011, at which point the Federal government will need additional funding to continue services.

The language in the current continuing resolution does not allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Grant Programs Directorate (GPD) to make any grant awards for FY 2011.  As a result, GPD has not issued Program Guidance for any FY 2011 grant programs.  However, once the FY 2011 budget is approved, GPD remains committed to issuing Program Guidance as quickly as possible, but may still need several weeks after appropriations are finalized.  Should there be additional continuing resolutions beyond March 18, we will explore the option of posting interim Program Guidance using FY 2010 funding levels as target allocations for each of the programs, unless otherwise specified in the continuing resolution language and subject to a final Appropriations Act. 

It is anticipated that the appropriations for all programs (other than the Assistance to Firefighter Grant Programs) will continue to be one-year money and awards will have to be made no later than September 30, 2011.  Consequently, we anticipate a shorter application period (perhaps 30 days) in order for GPD to have time to conduct application reviews, make award recommendations, and process award documents.   Due to the compressed schedule we strongly encourage grantees to begin some basic preparation on FY 2011 application materials, to include the drafting of Investment Justifications (IJ).  Although not finalized, we do not anticipate that the FY 2011 IJ template will be substantially different from what was required in FY 2010.  

We will keep you informed as we receive additional information.  In the interim, please feel free contact your designated Program Analyst if you have questions.






        U.S. Department of Homeland Security
                 Washington, DC  20472






www.fema.gov