THSGP plays an important role in the implementation of the National Preparedness System by supporting the building, sustainment, and delivery of core capabilities essential to achieving the National Preparedness Goal of a secure and resilient Nation. Delivering core capabilities requires the combined effort of the whole community, rather than the exclusive effort of any single organization or level of government. The anticipated effects of the THSGP grant funds are to increase the ability of Tribes to prevent, prepare for, protect against, and respond to acts of terrorism, to meet their capability targets, and to otherwise reduce the overall risk to Tribes, high-risk urban areas, states, and the Nation.
Activities implemented under THSGP must support terrorism preparedness by building or enhancing capabilities that relate to the prevention of, protection from, mitigation of, response to, and recovery from terrorism in order to be considered eligible. However, many capabilities which support terrorism preparedness simultaneously support preparedness for other hazards. Grantees must demonstrate this dual-use quality for any activities implemented under this program that are not explicitly focused on terrorism preparedness.
In developing applications for THSGP, recipients are encouraged to consider national areas identified for improvement including: (1) Projects that address emerging threats, including cybersecurity; and (2) Projects that enable continuous operation of critical business and government functions – including those essential to human health, safety, and/or economic security.
Given the evolving threat landscape, it is incumbent upon DHS/FEMA to continuously evaluate the national risk profile and set priorities that help ensure appropriate allocation of scarce security dollars. In assessing the national risk profile for FY 2024, six areas attract the most concern:
- Enhancing cybersecurity;
- Enhancing the protection of soft targets/crowded places;
- Enhancing information and intelligence sharing and analysis;
- Combating domestic violent extremism;
- Enhancing community preparedness and resilience; and
- Enhancing election security.
The following are second-tier priorities that help recipients implement a comprehensive approach to securing communities:
- Effective planning;
- Training and awareness campaigns;
- Equipment and capital projects; and,
- Exercises.
$15,000,000 was awarded in 2023. Recipients can be found on page 9 here: https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_grants_ib-490_fy23-award-announcement-preparedness-grants.pdf
$15,000,000 was awarded in 2022. Recipients can be found on page 8 here: https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_information-bulletin-476-fy222-award-announcement-gpd.pdf
Public safety entities may request funding to enhance their FirstNet operational capabilities using broadband technology may seek grant funding to support the following:
In addition to other requirements in the NOFO, FEMA may place specific terms and conditions on individual awards in accordance with 2 C.F.R. Part 200.
In addition to the information regarding DHS Standard Terms and Conditions and Ensuring the Protection of Civil Rights, see the Preparedness Grants Manual for additional information on administrative and national policy requirements, including the following: