Cooperating Technical Partner Program | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the Cooperating Technical Partner (CTP) Program grant opportunity?

The Cooperating Technical Partner (CTP) Program opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DHS 09 GPD 045 004) is a discretionary FEMA cooperative agreement that provides funding to support organizations that help FEMA improve flood hazard identification and mapping. The funding is intended to support program management and mapping-related work carried out by approved CTP partners, with specific activities set each fiscal year in the CTP program guidance.

2) Is this funding a grant or a cooperative agreement?

This opportunity is a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant. In general, a cooperative agreement indicates FEMA expects a higher level of involvement, coordination, and/or shared oversight with the recipient during the period of performance.

3) What is the main purpose of this opportunity?

The central goal is to fund approved CTP partners so they can perform program management and work that supports flood hazard identification and mapping improvements. In practical terms, it helps FEMA fund and coordinate with established partners who can take on portions of flood hazard data development, map maintenance, and related program management tasks aligned with FEMA standards.

4) Do proposed projects have to be geospatial or mapping-only?

No. While the program is strongly connected to flood mapping, the announcement states that funded projects do not have to be strictly geospatial in nature, as long as they meaningfully support flood hazard identification efforts.

5) What types of activities can be funded?

Funded work is described as program management and mapping-related work performed by approved CTP partners. The specific activities to be supported are established each fiscal year through the CTP program guidance.

6) What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?

The funding activity category is listed as Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

7) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The associated CFDA number is 97.045 (Cooperating Technical Partners).

8) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost-sharing or matching requirement is stated for this announcement.

9) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited in practice to entities that are already part of the CTP program and that either are, or represent, a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) community in good standing. Applicants also must demonstrate the ability to successfully perform the proposed work and must already have non-federally funded processes and/or systems in place that support flood hazard identification.

10) Does this opportunity fund new capacity-building for organizations starting from scratch?

No. The announcement indicates FEMA is not looking to build capacity from scratch under this opportunity. Instead, FEMA intends to fund partners that already have established capabilities and infrastructure and can use federal funds to expand, improve, or sustain mapping and program management contributions.

11) What applicant types are listed as eligible?

The eligible applicant types listed include:

• State governments
• County governments
• City or township governments
• Federally recognized tribal governments
• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education
• Multi-jurisdictional entities (as noted in the eligibility information)
• "Others" (with clarification referenced in the full announcement, suggesting additional public-sector or quasi-public entities may be considered depending on fit with the CTP partnership structure)

12) What does it mean to be an NFIP community in good standing for this opportunity?

The announcement emphasizes that eligible entities must be, or represent, a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) community in good standing. This is highlighted as an important condition because FEMA is prioritizing investment in partners already actively engaged in floodplain management and positioned to produce credible outputs that support NFIP and related flood risk communication goals.

13) What kinds of existing capabilities does FEMA expect applicants to already have?

Applicants must demonstrate they can successfully perform the proposed work and must already have non-federally funded processes and/or systems in place that support flood hazard identification. This reflects FEMA's intent to fund organizations with established operational capacity and infrastructure rather than organizations needing foundational setup.

14) Which FEMA office managed this opportunity?

The agency is identified as Region 4, indicating the opportunity was managed through that FEMA regional office for that cycle.

15) When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on January 9, 2009, created on March 19, 2009, and had an application closing date of September 15, 2009. The archive date is listed as October 15, 2009.

16) Where can applicants find more information about the CTP program?

FEMA referenced the CTP program page for program details: http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fhm/ctpmain.shtm

17) Who can help if someone needs assistance accessing the full announcement?

FEMA directed applicants to the FEMA Map Assistance Center at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at ctp@mapmodteam.com.

18) How should this opportunity be understood in practical terms?

Practically, this opportunity is a mechanism for FEMA to fund and coordinate with established CTP partners who can handle portions of flood hazard data development and map maintenance, along with the program management work needed to keep those efforts organized and aligned with FEMA standards.

19) Why does the announcement emphasize pre-existing non-federal systems and NFIP standing?

The emphasis on NFIP community standing and existing non-federal processes/systems reflects FEMA's priority to invest in partners already engaged in floodplain management and capable of producing usable, credible outputs that support the National Flood Insurance Program and related flood risk communication goals.

20) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this opportunity?

The Funding Opportunity Number is DHS 09 GPD 045 004.