FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program:

The University of Washington Application Process

The UW Emergency Management coordinates the application process for the annual Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Grant, which is available on a nationally-competitive basis for seismic, flooding or severe storm-related disaster impact reduction projects. There is a mandatory 25% non-Federal cost share requirement with a current $3 million project cap on the Federal share for each project. Each project must not exceed three years for full implementation and completion. Phased or partial projects are not allowed. For more information about eligible projects click here

UW criteria for selecting Hazard Mitigation Projects:

• Must be a minimum of $500,000 solution due to high up-front costs and time commitment of application development.
• Should target self-sustaining units/departments are the target applicants.
• Should address one or more of the following evaluation criteria: life-safety, address protecting high-value items or have a major impact to the continuity of operations of the unit/university.
• Must be separate from the State Budget Requests process or Capital Budget request.
• UW UWEM selects annually 1-2 projects to submit to the State/FEMA for further consideration.

If selected:

• Must assign a point of contact from unit to coordinate with UWEM on data gathering for mandated Benefit/Cost Analysis (BCA).
• Department/Unit is required to pay for outside engineering consultant to develop technical analysis (estimated $8,000 - $12,000 one-time costs). This cost may be included as part of the grant application based on timing of the application.
• UW Capital Projects and Engineering Services may provide additional assistance with back-up documentation.
• Unit or department accepts the 25% local match for the PDM project.

Stages of UW PDM Grant Process: