The South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR) is pleased to announce the State-Funded Mitigation Program, a grant opportunity supporting projects that reduce current and future risks to South Carolina communities, residents, property, and infrastructure.

A total of $10 million in funds appropriated by the South Carolina General Assembly is available to advance statewide mitigation efforts aligned with the legislatively mandated Strategic Statewide Resilience and Risk Reduction Plan. The application period opens October 15, 2026, and closes January 15, 2027. Eligible activities in this program are outlined below:

Stormwater Improvements Program: The stormwater improvements program provides funding for the construction of shovel-ready stormwater improvement projects.  Stormwater Improvement funds may not be used for engineering and design efforts, or for the construction of stormwater projects for the sole benefit of privately owned property(ies) or developments. Eligible applicants: UGLGs

Project Scoping: The project scoping program provides funding for the engineering and design of stormwater improvement projects to produce 90%-100% Construction Documents. Project Scoping funds may not be used towards existing design contracts, or to design stormwater projects for the sole benefit of privately owned property(ies) or developments. Eligible applicants: UGLGs

Stormwater Restoration Program: The stormwater restoration program provides funding to complete activities that restore capacity to existing stormwater systems. Stormwater Restoration funds may not be used to increase capacity of an existing drainage system above the original design intent. Eligible applicants: UGLGs

Plans & Studies Program: The plans and studies program helps South Carolina communities better understand flooding challenges and identify practical solutions to reduce future flood risk. The program provides funding for watershed and drainage studies, flood-risk assessments, technical modeling, and the evaluation of potential mitigation projects. Funding is intended to help communities develop actionable, prioritized flood-reduction strategies that can guide future investments and support the advancement of mitigation and resilience projects toward implementation. Priority will be given to multi-jurisdictional applicants covering areas with significant flood risks, vulnerable populations, critical infrastructure concerns, and demonstrated needs for technical planning assistance. Eligible applicants: UGLGs

SCOR’s Voluntary Buyout Program is a state-run initiative for the purpose of removing citizens from hazardous areas, safeguarding property, and restoring the natural function of the floodplain. The Program is voluntary - SCOR will not acquire properties through eminent domain.  Buyouts will be conducted strategically to enable citizens to move from a repetitively flooded area and as a means of acquiring parcels of land for uses compatible with open space, passive recreational space, and floodplain/wetlands management practices. After acquiring the parcel, the dwelling will be demolished and will be subject to a permanent covenant on its continued use to preserve the floodplain. Eligible applicants: UGLGs and Citizens. 

Other governmental entities, including Councils of Governments (COGs) and Tribal governments, may be eligible to apply for certain project types, subject to applicable program requirements.

Please review the applicable program requirements, eligibility criteria, and application instructions before submitting through the funder portal.