February 1, 2008 -- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced the release of application guidance for 14 federal grant programs whose collective purpose is to strengthen prevention, protection, response and recovery capabilities at all levels of government. In Fiscal Year 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will award more than $3 billion in grants to states, territories, urban areas, and transportation authorities, providing $376.3 million over last year.

Highlights of changes from prior years include:

• The department focuses on three funding priorities for FY 2008:
• measuring progress against the National Preparedness Guidelines
• strengthening preparedness planning
• strengthen IED prevention, protection and recovery
  
  
• Law Enforcement Activities will become part of both the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) and Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) programs, with a requirement to spend at least 25 percent of each award on these important prevention and protection activities.
  
  
• The department is more narrowly focusing the funding priorities this year, with the goal of targeting funding where the largest gaps reside.
  
  
• As a result of the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act, the 10 FEMA regions will have an enhanced role in grant activities.
  
  
• The burden on grantees will be reduced as the Enhancement Plan portion of the application has been replaced by the State Preparedness Report.