While it’s crucial for state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to have emergency preparedness plans, it’s just as necessary – and required – to exercise those plans regularly. FEMA’s National Exercise Program (NEP) supports this effort by providing a four-year cycle of exercises and the primary national-level mechanism for validating national preparedness. 

Now for the good news! The NEP is presently accepting requests for no-cost support in designing, developing, conducting, and evaluating exercises to validate capabilities across all mission areas. As explained by the federal agency, such activities are essential to “developing a culture of preparedness, empowering communities, and promoting resilience against the threats and hazards Americans face.”  

It is important to note that this will be the ONLY opportunity to request exercise support in 2023. To be considered submissions are due by June 1st. Instructions for how to submit a request for support are available on the