The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced an $11.4 million funding opportunity for states and territories to make dams safer across the nation.
FEMA is making this funding available through its Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams grant program. This program empowers states and territories to repair, replace, reconstruct or remove dams that put people and property at risk. Because many American communities rely on dams to prevent catastrophic flooding, this grant program is critical for disaster mitigation and prevention.
“One of the most powerful ways communities can protect lives and critical infrastructure is through the presence of safe, durable dams,” said Senior Official Performing the Duties of the FEMA Administrator, Robert Fenton. “This funding will provide our state and local emergency management partners with extra resources to repair and rehabilitate high hazard dams so lives and property are saved in the future.”
The Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams grant program is one of FEMA’s mitigation grant programs. These programs enable state, local, tribal and territorial governments to take decisive, proactive steps to protect their communities from potential disasters like fires, floods, earthquakes and hurricanes. When done correctly, mitigation measures protect private property, strengthen infrastructure, reduce the cost of future disasters and—most importantly—save lives.
The Fiscal Year 2026 Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams grant program is open to non-federal governments, as well as nonprofit organizations. Funding may be used to rehabilitate non-federal dams that are classified as high hazard potential by their state or territory’s dam safety program. Dams must also be located within communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. The application period opens on Aug. 5, 2026, and closes on Aug. 31, 2026.
The original announcement can be found here.
