April 23, 2026

Prepare Now for FEMA’s 2026 BRIC Funding Opportunity

BRIC is back. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program provides funding for hazard mitigation projects that help communities prepare for, reduce impacts from and recover more quickly after disasters. With $1 billion in available funding for this cycle and applications due July 23, 2026, BRIC supports infrastructure-focused projects such as flood mitigation, protection of critical facilities and utilities, and nature-based solutions.

Projects must demonstrate clear risk reduction, include a Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) and be listed in an adopted Hazard Mitigation Plan. The program is highly competitive, with a $20 million cap per project and strong emphasis on projects that are advanced in design and ready for construction.

Funding is distributed across several categories, including $757 million for the national competition, $112 million for state/territory allocations, $50 million for Tribal set-asides, and additional building code funding ($56 million for states/territories and $25 million for Tribes). The standard federal cost share is 75% federal / 25% non-federal, with an increased 90% federal share available for small or impoverished communities. Each state receives a limited allocation, with additional projects competing nationally, making early preparation and strong project development critical. 

As the BRIC program has resumed, it presents a valuable opportunity to coordinate with clients on upcoming mitigation projects

Now is the time to position communities you work with for the upcoming BRIC funding cycle. Freese and Nichols can support every step of the process, including hazard mitigation planning, project scoping and cost development, environmental compliance, procurement guidance, application support, and full design and construction management services.

How Freese and Nichols’ Funding Team Can Help

For more than 25 years, Freese and Nichols has helped clients secure more than $8 billion in loan and grant funding for critical infrastructure projects. This includes more than $5.5 billion in Texas state funding, more than $444 million through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, and more than $215 million through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.

Freese and Nichols funding specialists, engineers, and environmental scientists assist clients with abridged and full applications, Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund programs, and project information forms. The team also provides engineering and environmental planning and design services, advises on funding program compliance and advocates for clients and their projects before funding agencies.

For more information, contact Kate Burum at kate.burum@freese.com or Mark Evans at mark.evans@freese.com.