About the National Exercise Program

The National Exercise Program (NEP), a four-year cycle of exercises, is the primary national-level mechanism for validating national preparedness. As part of the National Preparedness System, the NEP is a key component in developing a culture of preparedness, empowering communities, and promoting resilience against threats and hazards Americans face.

How to Request Exercise Support

The National Exercise Division (NED) accepts exercise support requests once each year. Support request submissions are only reviewed after the submission deadline. The exercise support round deadlines and acceptance notification dates are subject to change.

Exercise Support Round	Submission Deadline	Acceptance Notifications
2023 Round	June 1, 2023, 11:59 pm EDT	August 22, 2023, 11:59 pm EDT
2024 Round*	June 1, 2024, 11:59 pm EDT	August 22, 2024, 11:59 pm EDT
2025 Round*	June 1, 2025, 11:59 pm EDT	August 22, 2025, 11:59 pm EDT

* 2024 and 2025 dates are subject to change.

National Exercise Program (NEP) Exercise Support Requests will now be accepted once per year.

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NEP WEBINARS

FEMA is hosting a series of webinars to provide information on the exercise support process.

Current 1. Familiarize Yourself with NED
2. Review Requirements
3. Download Support Request Form
4.Coordinate with Regional Officer
5. Submit Form

Step 1: Familiarize Yourself with How NED Exercise Support Works

State, local, tribal, territorial (SLTT) and other whole community partners can receive technical assistance and support for exercises at no cost from expert exercise specialists in the NED.

Support will be tailored to the needs of the partner and can include assistance with exercise planning, design, scenario development, conduct, and evaluation in the form of subject-matter expertise, material production, and/or facilitation for exercises.

Pre-decisional scoping calls will be held for each support request submitted. During these calls, a NED Exercise Program Manager will review the request form with the sponsor to better understand what support is requested.

Support is only provided for exercises that have not begun their planning process.

National Exercise Program staff are available to answer your specific exercise support request questions.

Write to NEP@fema.dhs.gov and include “2023 Exercise Support Question” in the subject line. Program staff will be in contact answer your question and send you an invite to our weekly online office hours.