FY 2024–2025 BRIC NOFO Released: Key Changes, Eligibility Shifts, and How to Build a Competitive Application

The FY24–25 BRIC NOFO introduces major eligibility and design changes. Learn how to align your mitigation projects and improve funding success.

March 26, 2026

The FY 2024–2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program has been released, making approximately $1 billion in federal funding available for pre-disaster mitigation.

Applications are open from March 25 through July 23, 2026 (3:00 PM ET).

While funding levels remain substantial, the structure and eligibility criteria have shifted in ways that will directly impact how applicants develop, position, and submit projects. For state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, success under this cycle will depend on aligning with a more defined, infrastructure-focused framework.

BRIC FY24–25 Funding Overview

The total available funding for this cycle is $1 billion, distributed across several categories:

•    State and Territory Allocations: $112 million
•    Tribal Set-Aside: $50 million
•    Building Code Plus-Up: $81 million
•    National Competition: $757 million

Key program limits include:
•    Applicant funding cap: 15% of total available funding ($150 million maximum)
•    State/Territory allocation cap: $2 million per applicant for infrastructure-tied activities
•    National Competition cap: $20 million federal share per project

FEMA will review applications in the National Competition at approximately twice the available funding level, reinforcing the need for competitive positioning.

What Changed in the FY24–25 BRIC NOFO

This funding cycle introduces several material eligibility changes that narrow the scope of allowable activities and require more precise project definition.

1. Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) Development Is No Longer Eligible

In prior BRIC cycles, Hazard Mitigation Plan development and updates were eligible under Capability and Capacity Building (C&CB).

Under the FY24–25 NOFO, these activities are explicitly excluded.

Implication:
Applicants must identify alternative funding sources for planning efforts, such as state funding or other FEMA or federal programs. BRIC funding must now be directed toward implementation-oriented activities.

2. Project Scoping Must Be Tied to Specific Infrastructure

Historically, project scoping activities were broadly eligible under C&CB.

This cycle limits eligibility to scoping activities that directly support a specific infrastructure project.

Implication:
General or exploratory scoping efforts are no longer competitive. Applicants must clearly define the infrastructure asset being advanced within the application.

3. Phased Projects Are No Longer Allowed

Multi-phase project structures were accepted in previous cycles.

The FY24–25 NOFO eliminates phased project eligibility.

Implication:
Projects must be fully developed and submitted as single-phase efforts. Multi-year or staged approaches will require restructuring or alternative funding strategies.

Shift in Program Focus: Construction-Ready Infrastructure

Beyond eligibility changes, the FY24–25 BRIC program signals a clear strategic shift toward construction-ready, infrastructure-defined projects.

Design Maturity Is Now a Scoring Driver

Projects must meet a minimum threshold of conceptual design to be eligible.

In the National Competition, FEMA awards up to 30 points based on design maturity, with the highest scores assigned to projects at or above 90% design completion.

Implication:
Early-stage concepts are significantly less competitive. Projects that demonstrate advanced engineering, feasibility, and implementation readiness will have a clear advantage.

Infrastructure Must Be Clearly Defined

The NOFO defines “directly supporting infrastructure” as activities with a primary purpose of improving, protecting, or enabling the operation of critical infrastructure systems.

Eligible C&CB activities are now limited to:

• Building code adoption and enforcement
• Technical training tied to infrastructure outcomes
• Project scoping for specific infrastructure projects

Implication:
Capacity-building efforts must demonstrate a direct connection to infrastructure outcomes. Broad programmatic initiatives without a defined infrastructure linkage will not meet eligibility thresholds.

What This Means for Applicants

The FY24–25 BRIC cycle requires a more disciplined approach to project development and submission.

To remain competitive, applicants should focus on:

• Advancing projects beyond planning into defined, actionable scopes
• Ensuring all activities are tied to specific infrastructure outcomes
• Eliminating phased or multi-stage project structures
• Increasing design maturity prior to submission
• Structuring applications to align with funding caps and categories

Organizations that continue to approach BRIC as a planning or early-stage funding mechanism will face significant challenges under this framework.

How Witt O'Brien's Supports BRIC Applicants

Witt O’Brien’s works with public sector clients to align mitigation projects with evolving federal funding requirements and improve application competitiveness.

Project Eligibility and Portfolio Review

We evaluate existing project portfolios against FY24–25 BRIC criteria to identify:

• Projects that meet current eligibility requirements
• Projects that require scope adjustments
• Projects better suited for alternative funding sources

Application and Scope Alignment

We refine project definitions to ensure:

• Clear alignment with infrastructure requirements
• Eligibility under revised C&CB criteria
• Elimination of disqualifying elements such as phased approaches

Design Advancement and Documentation

We support applicants in advancing project design and preparing documentation required to:

• Meet minimum eligibility thresholds
• Improve scoring potential in the National Competition
• Demonstrate implementation readiness

Funding Strategy and Submission Structuring

We help structure submissions across available funding categories to:

• Maximize total federal funding
• Maintain compliance with the 15% applicant cap
• Balance projects across allocation and competitive funding streams
  
  

Positioning for Success in the FY24–25 BRIC Cycle

The BRIC program continues to represent one of the most significant federal investments in pre-disaster mitigation. However, the FY24–25 NOFO introduces a more constrained and performance-driven framework.

Applicants that succeed will be those that:

• Transition from planning to implementation
• Demonstrate clear infrastructure impact
• Present projects with advanced design maturity
• Align submissions with program constraints and scoring priorities

Early alignment with these requirements is critical to building a competitive application.

Managing grants efficiently, without compromising compliance and integrity, can be a challenging task. If your organization is navigating the complexities of grant management, we can help you enhance oversight, streamline processes, ensure outcomes and reduce the risks of waste, fraud, and abuse. Reach out today to learn how our expertise in grants management can ensure your programs meet their goals, stay compliant, and make the best use of taxpayer dollars. 

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