Agencies

Nearly $48 Million Approved to Support Disaster Recovery

Published: 22 September 2025
Categories: FEMA News

RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – FEMA announced nearly $48 million in additional funding for 46 North Carolina Tropical Storm Helene and other disaster recovery projects. 

This includes 31 newly approved projects, as well as 18 large projects, each over $1 million that the Department of Homeland Security has advanced and will be available to communities. 

Here are some of the grants approved for the state and communities:

$10.9 million to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for road repairs.$3.7 million to Buncombe County for architectural and engineering services.$3.1 million to the North Carolina Forest Service for emergency protective measures. $2.7 million to the Buncombe County Board of Education for emergency protective measures.$2.1 million to the town of Beech Mountain for road repairs and management costs.$1.8 million to the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources for repairs to state park roads, culverts, bridges and facilities.$1.6 million to Appalachian State University for repairs to facilities including their New River Light and Power Oak Grove substation.

FEMA is reimbursing Helene costs at no less than a 90% federal share through its Public Assistance program which provides funds for state and local governments response and recovery work. Since Jan. 20, more than $510 million in reimbursements have been approved to support recovery. 

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NSF and UKRI launch $10M quantum chemistry collaborative research effort

Published: 19 September 2025
Categories: National Science Foundation

RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

The U.S. National Science Foundation and United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) are investing in eight joint research projects that could open the door to breakthroughs in quantum computing, ultra-precise navigation and secure communications. The effort is supported by $4.7 million from NSF and £4.2 million from UKRI’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Each project brings together U.S. and U.K. researchers to tackle an underexplored area in science: how quantum information affects chemical reactions and molecular systems, and how that knowledge can be put to use.

By harnessing the inherent complexity of chemical systems, the teams aim to surpass today’s quantum technologies, which primarily rely on atoms and photons. The partnership underscores the growing international momentum in quantum research, with the potential to create new and different types of molecular-based qubits and other fundamental components useful for quantum computing, quantum sensing and quantum communications.

“Through a dynamic partnership, the U.S. National Science Foundation and UKRI are uniting top researchers to unravel the mysteries of quantum in chemical systems,” said White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios. “Building upon the President’s U.S.-UK Technology Prosperity Deal, this visionary partnership will reshape our knowledge of quantum mechanics and open new frontiers in quantum computing, sensing, and communicating.”

“By supporting bold, collaborative science, this partnership lays the foundation for advances that can transform

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NSF selects 15 finalists to advance to the next round of its second Regional Innovation Engines competition

Published: 18 September 2025
Categories: National Science Foundation

RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

The U.S. National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) program announced 15 finalists advancing to the next stage of the program’s second competition — spanning critical technologies and applications ranging from enhancing energy grid security to maximizing the yield of critical minerals mining extraction to advancing quantum computing. The finalist teams, many of whom have been building their regional coalitions for a year or longer, are led by a range of organizations, including universities, nonprofits and private industry from across the United States. View a map of the NSF Engines finalists.

Credit: U.S. National Science Foundation

A map showing the locations of the U.S. National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) program’s 15 finalists for 2025.

“Securing America’s place at the forefront of science and technology requires growing innovation capacity everywhere so that we can, in turn, aggressively accelerate the pace of development of key technologies,” said Brian Stone, performing the duties of the NSF director. “The NSF Engines finalists have consistently communicated their strong vision for placing their regions on the map as the national and world leaders in key technologies, demonstrating their commitment to advancing U.S. research, innovation and workforce development. We congratulate each team on making it to this stage of the competition.”

The NSF Engines program is beginning to

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Ten Days Left to Apply for Federal Assistance for Central Texas Flooding

Published: 18 September 2025
Categories: FEMA News

RSS feed source: Federal Emergency Management Agency

AUSTIN, Texas – Time is running out to apply for federal disaster assistance if you had damage or losses from the July 2—18 storms and flooding in Central Texas. 

The application period ends Sunday, Sept. 28, for those who were affected by the flooding in Burnet, Guadalupe, Kerr, Kimble, McCulloch, Menard, San Saba, Tom Green, Travis and Williamson counties.

There is no cost to apply for FEMA assistance, which may help with serious disaster-related needs including temporary housing and replacement of essential personal property when the damage is not covered by insurance. Grants may also cover disaster-related funeral, medical, dental, moving-and-storage and childcare expenses including money to replace damaged appliances and furnishings.

FEMA works closely with the U.S. Small Business Administration, which provides disaster loans to homeowners, renters, nonprofit organizations and businesses of all sizes. The deadline to apply for a long-term, low-interest SBA disaster loan is also Sept. 28.

Applying for FEMA assistance and reporting damage to the state are two different processes. Remember to have your email address ready for the FEMA application. You can upload additional paperwork to your FEMA account even after the deadline has passed.

The fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov. You may also use the FEMA mobile app or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Helpline specialists speak many languages and lines are open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT daily.

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