Tribal EMPG Program

The 2024 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) Program for Federally-Recognized Tribes in California is administered by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Homeland Security and Emergency Management Branch. This program is made possible through funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The purpose of the EMPG Program is to support state, local, and tribal efforts to prepare for all hazards, including natural and human-caused disasters. This specific funding opportunity is intended exclusively for federally-recognized tribes in the state of California. The EMPG Program aims to enhance tribal capabilities in the areas of prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery. Funds provided through the program must be used to support activities that directly contribute to building these capabilities. Allowable activities under this grant include planning, organizational staffing, equipment procurement, training, and exercises designed to improve emergency management systems. Projects funded under this opportunity must align with national preparedness goals, as well as state and local priorities, ensuring that tribes are better prepared to address threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to their communities. The program offers a total of $188,021 in available funding, with a required dollar-for-dollar match from the applicants. The period of performance for the grant runs from May 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. All projects must be completed within this timeframe, and any costs incurred outside of this period will not be reimbursed. Applicants are required to submit proposals electronically by 11:59 PM PST on April 16, 2025. Late submissions will not be accepted. Applicants must demonstrate how they will meet the match requirement, ensure that proposed projects align with eligible spending categories, and submit a detailed budget and timeline for each proposed project. Eligible applicants are limited to federally-recognized tribes in California. In order to qualify for funding, tribes must have an active Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and be registered in the federal System for Award Management (SAM). Applicants must also have no exclusion records in SAM. As part of the application, tribes must complete a Notice of Interest (NOI), which includes details about their existing emergency management systems, the proposed projects and their expected benefits, how the tribe will meet the match requirement, and a timeline with key milestones. The evaluation process is competitive, with proposals scored based on a set of predefined criteria, including the strength of the proposed project, the ability to meet emergency management gaps, and the quality of the proposed budget and timeline. Additional points are awarded to tribes that have not previously received EMPG funding. Final funding decisions are made by the Cal OES Director, and applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome. Awarded tribes will be required to submit quarterly performance reports, biannual strategy implementation reports, and comply with all applicable federal and state guidelines, including Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (EHP) requirements if applicable. For questions regarding the application process or program requirements, tribes may contact the State and Local Projects Unit at StateLocalProjects@caloes.ca.gov. All technical questions must be submitted during the open application period. The grant period opens on March 5, 2025, and closes with the proposal deadline on April 16, 2025. No pre-application conferences or webinars were specifically mentioned in the RFP. Successful applicants will receive an Intent to Fund letter, and funds are contingent upon Cal OES receiving the federal EMPG award from FEMA.