The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released funding opportunities for eight preparedness grant programs totaling nearly $1.8 billion.
The grant programs provide funding to state and local governments, as well as transportation authorities, nonprofits, and the private sector, to improve the nation’s readiness for terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies.
“The Department of Homeland Security must continually innovate, evolve, and improve upon our preparedness efforts to ensure our state and local partners are resilient for both today and tomorrow. Our threat landscape has shifted dramatically over the past twenty years; from the large-scale attacks committed by foreign Islamist terrorists to the increased threat of domestic terrorism, attacks on soft targets – such as houses of worship, nightclubs, office buildings, and concert venues – and emerging threats such as cyberattacks and the use of unmanned aerial vehicles,” DHS Acting Secretary Chad Wolf said.
The FY 2020 grants will focus on the nation’s highest-risk areas with a focus on four priority areas — cybersecurity (5 percent), soft target and crowded places (5 percent), information and intelligence sharing (5 percent); and emerging threats (5 percent). Applicants will be required to submit investment justifications that address these priorities.
“The paradigm has shifted. Today’s DHS programs must improve our readiness in preventing, preparing for, protecting against, and responding to today’s evolving threats. Our four priority areas, based on DHS’s assessment of recent attacks and other events and trend analysis from a variety of public and private sector sources, will help ensure the Department’s resources are applied most effectively. Importantly, we have also included recommendations from governors and mayors, as well as national security experts and emergency management associations, in order to enhance our security posture going forward,” Wolf added.
The eight grants are:
• Emergency Management Performance Grant ($355 million);
• Homeland Security Grant Program ($1 billion), which includes $415 million for the
State Homeland Security Program, $615 million for the Urban Area Security Initiative, and $90 million for Operation Stonegarden;
• Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program ($15 million):
• Nonprofit Security Grant Program ($90 million);
• Intercity Passenger Rail – Amtrak (IPR) Program ($10 million);
• Port Security Grant Program ($100 million);
• Transit Security Grant Program ($88 million); and
• Intercity Bus Security Grant Program ($2 million).