Pre-disaster Mitigation (PDM) Grant Program

The Pre-disaster Mitigation Grant Program provides funds to reduce the overall risk to the population and structures from future hazard events, and also reducing the reliance on federal funding from future events. PDM funding is made available for hazard mitigation planning and projects on an annual basis. Grants are funded by Congressional appropriations, managed by FEMA and administered through GOHSEP. Awards are on a nationally competitive basis.

Grants are designed to assist local communities, States, Federally recognized Tribes and Territories in implementing a sustained pre-disaster natural hazard mitigation program. The goal is to reduce overall risk to the population and structures from future hazard events, while also reducing reliance on Federal funding in future disasters. Who can Participate in the PDM Grant Program Local governments, and State agencies may apply for FMA grants through the State. Federally recognized Tribal authorities apply through the State or independently (at their choice). Individuals must seek assistance and apply through their local Parish governing authority.

What Projects are Funded Through PDM Grants?

Eligible applicants develop project applications based on FEMA priorities. For the PDM program applicants will then prioritize their projects and submit to GOHSEP. GOHSEP is allowed to submit 3 project applications and 7 mitigation planning applications, total for the entire State. After GOHSEP reviews the application and submits to FEMA, FEMA will review and choose the applications to fund based on compliance with HMA guidance, eligibility of the proposed activity and cost, completeness of the application, cost-effectiveness, engineering feasibility and eligibility and availability of non-federal cost share, FEMA priorities for the year in which the application is made.

The program:

• Awards planning and project grants.
• Specific project types eligible for PDM assistance are identified in the chart to the right. 

Application Process

Louisiana Applicants (also called Sub recipients) submit mitigation planning and project applications to GOHSEP. Applications MUST be submitted using the mitigation online eGrants system. Accessing eGrants requires a login.

To access as a NEW USER, contact your GOHSEP Hazard Mitigation (HM) State Applicant Liaison (SAL) for an access code. Federally recognized Tribal governments NOT applying through the State, contact FEMA directly.

Applications are forwarded to FEMA Region VI for review and approval and then to FEMA Headquarters where a final funding decision is made.

PDM funds are awarded to States, U.S. Territories and Federal-recognized Tribal Applicants, who then provide sub awards (also called sub grants) to eligible local, State agency or other government Applicants (also called sub recipients).  

Evaluation Criteria

FEMA will prioritize mitigation planning and project sub-applications from applicants without Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds available before applications from applicants with HMGP funds available. FEMA will prioritize activities in communities with the highest assessed Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule rating from a grade of 1 to 10. FEMA will select eligible planning and project sub-applications in order of the agency’s priorities for the FY 2015 PDM Grant Program: 

• 1st priority: Mitigation planning and project sub-applications up to $250,000 Federal share per states/territories/District of Columbia consistent with Section 203 (f) of the Stafford Act
• 2nd priority: Up to $5 million for mitigation planning and project sub-applications up to $250,000Federal share per tribal applicant
• 3rd priority: Mitigation planning sub-applications from applicants that do not have Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) available.
• 4th priority: Non-flood hazard mitigation projects from applicants that do not have HMGP funds available.
• 5th priority: Flood mitigation projects from applicants that do not have HMGP funds available.
• 6th priority: Planning activities from applicants that have HMGP funds available
• 7th priority: Non-flood hazard mitigation projects from applicants that have HMGP funds available
• 8th priority: Flood mitigation projects from applicants that have HMGP funds available

FEMA will prioritize planning and project activities within the 3rd through 8th categories above in order by communities with the highest assessed Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS) rating from a grade of 1 (exemplary commitment to building code enforcement) to 10.

When is the Application Period?

PDM Grants are awarded on an annual basis. Once an announcement is made by FEMA, the application period is open for approximately 90 days.  Applicants will have 60 days from the date of announcement to submit applications to GOHSEP. GOHSEP utilizes the remaining 30 days to review, comment and request revisions before the final submission of applications to FEMA. The review and award process can take up to eight (8) months.   

Additional Information

Please see the HMA Guidance available on FEMA's website: http://www.fema.gov/hazard-mitigation-assistance for more information on the PDM program.

Examples of Eligible PDM Activities

• Property Acquisition and Structure Demolition
• Property Acquisition and Structure Relocation
• Structure Elevation
• Mitigation Reconstruction
• Dry Flood proofing of Historic Residential Structures
• Dry Flood proofing of Non-Residential Structures
• Generators
• Localized Flood Risk Reduction Projects
• Non-Localized Flood Risk Reduction Projects
• Structural Retrofitting of Existing buildings
• Non-Structural Retrofitting of Existing Buildings and Facilities
• Safe Room Construction
• Wind Retrofit for One and Two Family Residences
• Infrastructure Retrofit
• Soil Stabilization
• Wildfire Mitigation
• Miscellaneous/Other
• Management Cost