Preparedness Grants
Homeland Security Grant Program
$22.9 million
Managed $22,947,750 in HSGP funds across 16 disciplines and 339 projects.
Spent $4,362,750 in 2024.
Nonprofit Security Grant Program
$8.07 million
Managed $8,076,150 in NSGP funds for 66 nonprofits and 81 projects.
Awarded $2,311,768 in 2024.
State and Local Cybersecurity Grants
$10.1 million
Managed $10,148,989 in SLCGP funds for State, local, and rural Subrecipients.
Preparedness grants are financial assistance programs designed to enhance the ability of community partners, emergency management, first responders, and homeland security stakeholders to effectively prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate natural and human-caused emergencies and disasters. These grants support initiatives that strengthen whole community resilience against a wide range of hazards, including:
- Natural and weather-related emergencies or disasters (e.g., hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and earthquakes).
- Cyber-attacks targeting critical infrastructure or compromising sensitive information.
- Incidents involving weapons of mass destruction (WMD), such as chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) threats.
- Other human- caused emergencies or disaster events, including industrial accidents and acts of terrorism.
Federal agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), allocate preparedness grants to ensure the nation is equipped to face these threats with safety, coordination, and resilience.
By investing in preparedness, these grant programs aim to minimize risk, enhance response capabilities, and support recovery efforts, safeguarding lives, and livelihoods.
Federally Funded Preparedness Grants
Administered by DEMA
The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) serves as the State Administrative Agency (SAA) for state-administered Preparedness Grants. The SAA is the primary organization within a state responsible for managing and overseeing federally funded programs and grants.
As the SAA, DEMA serves as the liaison between the federal government and local and state-level agencies, first responders, and other stakeholders to allocate funds strategically.
Preparedness Grants, federally funded through agencies like FEMA and DHS are competitive, requiring applicants to demonstrate a clear need that aligns with national preparedness priorities.
DEMA ensures that resources are distributed, compliance standards are met, and programs are executed effectively to address Delaware's unique community needs. This enhances Delaware's ability to prevent, respond to, and recover from emergencies aligning with federal guidelines and Delaware's emergency preparedness goals.
Homeland Security Initiatives and Terrorist Threat Protections
A reimbursement based competitive grant program that focuses on enhancing the security of nonprofit organizations at risk of terrorist attacks through physical and cybersecurity improvements.
Eligible Subrecipient
Nonprofit organizations that (1) meet the description under 501[C3] of the Internal Revenue Code and are exempt from tax under section 501[a] of such code; (2) are located within the State; (3) and are able to demonstrate through the application that the organization is at high risk of a terrorist or other extremist attack.
Eligible Projects
Examples of previous projects include physical security enhancements such as security cameras, lighting, security, screening equipment, access controls (fencing/gates/barriers/card readers), and impact/blast/shock resistant doors and windows. Examples of cybersecurity focused projects include improving cybersecurity of access control and identify verification systems.
Apply
FEMA typically releases a Notice of Funding Opportunity annually in the spring. Once the NOFO is released, applications must be submitted by eligible Subrecipients to DEMA through the Grant Management Suite (GMS) prior to the state's application deadline.
This program helps eligible entities address cybersecurity risks, threats to information systems, and enhance the resilience of state and local governments' cyber infrastructure.
Eligible Subrecipient
Eligible Subrecipients include state and local governments, rural communities, unincorporated towns, and other public entities. Nonprofit and for-profit organizations are not eligible.
Eligible Projects
Examples of projects include implementation of multi-factor authentication (MFA), endpoint protection, firewall and API protection, identity and access management systems.
Apply
Eligible Subrecipients must submit applications to DEMA through the Grant Management Suite (GMS). Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with quarterly deadlines.
This program focuses on building and sustaining national preparedness capabilities to prevent, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks and other hazards. HSGP provides resources to implement the National Preparedness System and to strengthen community preparedness and resilience.
For program information, list of eligible project types, deadlines, requirements and how to apply, reference the most recent HSGP documents released by FEMA.
Eligible Subrecipient
[Invitation Only] State and local government agencies, tribal entities, and organizations and stakeholders involved in Homeland Security activities.
Eligible Projects
Examples of projects include physical security enhancement equipment (e.g., locks, shatter proof glass, alarms, access controls, etc.), tactical and special operations equipment, terrorism incident prevention equipment, fusion center sustainment, training and exercises.
Apply
This program is by invitation only.
Emergency Management Preparedness for All-Hazards
This program supports state and local governments enhance and sustain all-hazard emergency management capabilities.
For program information, list of eligible project types, deadlines, requirements and how to apply, reference the most recent EMPG documents released by FEMA.
Eligible Subrecipient
[Invitation Only] State emergency management agencies, local governments, and tribal entities.
Eligible Projects
Examples of projects include planning, training, and/or exercises that align with closing capability gaps, sustain statewide emergency management operational readiness and ability to conduct emergency operations to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate statewide emergencies to support local and regional operations.
Apply
This program is by invitation only.
Questions?
For questions regarding NSGP, HSGP, and EMPG, email: Preparedenessgrants@delaware.gov.
For questions regarding SLCGP, email: cybergrant@delaware.gov.
