Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program (RCPGP) - Region 1 | DHS 23 GPD 111 01 01

Opportunity Information: Apply for DHS 23 GPD 111 01 01

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program (RCPGP) for Region 1 is a discretionary FEMA grant funded under the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. No. 117-328). Its central aim is to strengthen regional capacity to handle catastrophic incidents by improving and expanding cross-jurisdiction collaboration and by addressing known preparedness capability gaps. The program is designed to push regions to plan and work together in a coordinated way, rather than relying on isolated local efforts, because truly catastrophic events tend to overwhelm single jurisdictions and create cascading impacts across a wider area.

The opportunity is built around the National Response Framework definition of a catastrophic incident, meaning any natural or human-caused event (including terrorism) that produces extraordinary levels of mass casualties, severe damage, or major disruption affecting people, critical infrastructure, the environment, the economy, national morale, and/or the functioning of government. The grant emphasizes that effective prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery depend on a cohesive regional approach to planning for these large-scale, high-consequence scenarios. In practical terms, the funding is meant to help regions identify where plans, systems, partnerships, and operational coordination still fall short and then invest in solutions that improve readiness before a disaster occurs.

This FY 2023 RCPGP round also intentionally aligns with the 2022-2026 FEMA Strategic Plan and its three agency-wide goals: (1) promote and instill equity as a foundation of emergency management, (2) lead the whole of community in climate resilience, and (3) promote and sustain a ready FEMA and prepared nation. Consistent with that strategy, the program highlights three strategic priorities for this grant cycle: equity, climate resilience, and readiness. That means proposals are expected to not only improve catastrophic preparedness, but to do so in ways that account for evolving climate-driven risks, strengthen the ability of communities to withstand and recover from disasters, and improve overall preparedness outcomes.

A major theme is equity in disaster preparedness and outcomes. The notice underscores supporting people in disadvantaged or underserved groups who may face higher risk from current hazards, including those intensified by climate change. The intent is to help ensure fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals before, during, and after disasters by incorporating the needs of at-risk communities into planning, coordination, and preparedness investments. In other words, the program is not only about improving operational capability; it is also about making sure preparedness and response planning does not leave certain populations behind.

From an administrative standpoint, this opportunity is issued by the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), under Funding Opportunity Number DHS 23 GPD 111 01 01. It falls under the Disaster Prevention and Relief activity category and is associated with CFDA number 97.111. Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, and city or township governments. The posting indicates an expected 10 awards, with an award ceiling of $3,000,000 per award. The opportunity was created on May 23, 2023, with an original application closing date of July 24, 2023.

Overall, the Region 1 FY 2023 RCPGP is a targeted preparedness grant focused on building stronger, more coordinated regional systems to manage rare but devastating incidents. It prioritizes closing real operational gaps, encouraging innovative regional solutions, and integrating equity and climate resilience into catastrophic incident preparedness so regions are better positioned to protect lives, maintain essential functions, and recover more effectively when the worst happens.

• The Department of Homeland Security, Department of Homeland Security - FEMA in the disaster prevention and relief sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program (RCPGP) - Region 1" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 97.111.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 23, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 24, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments.

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