An Overview of FEMA’s National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program

According to the United States Geological Survey, earthquakes have grown in both frequency and intensity in recent years, with a notable increase of 10 annually worldwide.

This trend underscores the urgent need for communities to prioritize the adoption and implementation of modern and up-to-date building codes and standards. By integrating resilient building practices, communities can help strengthen structures against seismic hazards, mitigating the potential destruction caused by these disasters and safeguarding lives.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) offers financial assistance to support the effective implementation of earthquake risk reduction activities. This includes updating building codes and zoning codes to improve seismic safety across states and territories that are identified as having “high” to “very high” earthquake risks.

View this website to learn more about what qualifies as a high earthquake-risk area.

Funding Objectives Relevant to Building Codes

The NEHRP funding supports the planning, development, updating and adoption of local building codes that enhance seismic safety. The program emphasizes the adoption of codes and standards such as the I-Codes and Code Council standards to ensure buildings are designed and constructed to withstand seismic events.

The program also funds training for local building code officials on seismic safety and mitigation, enhancing their capability to implement and enforce updated codes.

The funding is allocated based on earthquake risk, with a required 25 percent non-federal cost share by the recipients. Eligible entities include states and territories with high earthquake risk, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education.

States and territories must demonstrate their commitment to adopting and enforcing the latest editions of model codes that address seismic and other natural hazards effectively.

Application and Funding Deadlines

To apply for funding made available for the Fiscal Year 2024 NEHRP State Assistance Grant Program, applicants must adhere to the following application and funding deadlines.

• Application Opening: May 1, 2024
• Application Deadline: June 14, 2024 At 5 p.m. ET
• Anticipated Award Date: Aug. 1, 2024
• Period of Performance (POP) Start Date: Sept. 1, 2024
• End Date: Feb. 28, 2026

Eligible applicants must apply for funding using FEMA GO. Applicants must submit applications in FEMA GO no later than 5 p.m. ET on June 14, 2024. Applications received by FEMA after this deadline will not be considered for funding.

Support Through the International Code Council

Members of the Code Council and other stakeholders interested in this funding opportunity should refer to FEMA’s official NEHRP page for detailed guidelines and application procedures.

If you have immediate questions and would like to discuss relevant codes with the Code Council, please contact federalgrants@iccsafe.org. You can also visit the Code Council’s federal grants webpage for all other funding opportunities.