FEMA’s HHPD Grant Program provides technical, planning, design and construction assistance for rehabilitating high hazard potential dams in the National Inventory of Dams. 

	Supports nature-based solutions		Encourages public-private partnerships
	Has a regional or watershed focus

Application cycle: For FY2024, the application period was from November 3rd, 2023 to February 29th, 2024. Interested applicants should engage with their State Dam Safety Office to learn about upcoming deadlines.

Summary: The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams (HHPD) Grant Program provides federal funding to eligible states, which then distribute funds to non-federal government entities or nonprofit organizations to rehabilitate high hazard potential dams that do not meet state safety standards and pose risks to life and property. Rehabilitation includes repairing, replacing, reconstructing, or removing a dam to comply with applicable state safety and security regulation. The program aims to encourage states to integrate risk-informed analysis into dam safety practices, consider dam risks in mitigation planning, and to promote community preparedness and lower rehabilitation costs. The jurisdiction where the dam is located must have a FEMA-approved Hazard Mitigation Plan that specifically addresses all dam risks before it can be considered for funding.

Eligible applicants: States and territories with enacted dam safety programs, the State Administrative Agency, or an equivalent state agency. As states administer this program, subapplicants such as local governments, special purpose districts, and nonprofit organizations must submit applications through their state.

Eligible activities: Funds from this program can be used on non-federally owned dams for planning and design activities, as well as rehabilitation, repair, and removal. The dam must be eligible and designated as high hazard potential in the National Inventory of Dams. Funds cannot be used to rehabilitate federal dams, modify dams to produce hydroelectric power, or increase water supply storage capacity. 

Pre-construction activities eligible for funding include: 

• Engineering plans or specifications.
• Environmental impact assessments.
• Surveys or structural investigations. 
• Risk prioritization assessments.

Construction activities eligible for funding include: 

• Repair, replacement, or reconstruction of the dam structure.
• Complete dam removal.
• Construction monitoring and oversight.
• Installation of an early warning system directly associated with the eligible dam project.

Funding: $100,000 – $7,500,000.

Cost share: 65% federal / 35% nonfederal. In-kind contributions are accepted and may be included in the non-federal share. 

Application process: 

• Applications are to be submitted to Grants.gov, with additional eligibility information, the HHPD Helpline, as well as additional guidance and resources found here. 
• Guidance and resources related to this program can be found here
• Previous grant awards can be found here. 
• After FEMA announces the selections, applicants have 60 days to accept the award.