USGS Earthquake Hazards Program External Research Support Announcement for Fiscal Year 2026
This funding opportunity provides financial support for researchers and organizations focused on studying earthquake hazards and developing safety measures to mitigate risks associated with seismic events in the U.S.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program (EHP) has announced its annual Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Fiscal Year 2026, titled the Earthquake Hazards Program External Research Support. This grant opportunity aims to fund research related to earthquake hazards, seismic events, and safety policies, in accordance with the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 and its amendments. The purpose of the program is to enhance understanding of the causes and impacts of earthquakes and support development of methods to reduce associated risks. Total funding is estimated at $5 million, with between 50 and 70 awards expected. The program is open to nearly all applicants, with several exceptions. Proposals from U.S. Government agencies, federal employees, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, or those involving conflicts of interest or heavy reliance on subcontracting are not eligible. Proposals must primarily support research aligned with high-priority USGS program elements and regional or topical focus areas as outlined in Attachment A of the NOFO. Projects involving foreign components must directly relate to U.S. seismic zones and comply with relevant U.S. sanctions and approval processes. Applications are to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by May 28, 2025, at 6:00 PM EDT. The anticipated award notification will be in late November 2025, and funding will begin no earlier than January 1, 2026. All submissions must include standard federal forms (e.g., SF-424, SF-424A), a project abstract summary, a proposal narrative (limited to 15 pages), budget documents, and a Data Management Plan. Collaborative proposals must include signed commitment forms from any involved USGS personnel. The project duration can be either one or two years, and most awards range from $30,000 to $120,000. Proposals are reviewed based on several criteria: relevance and timeliness, technical quality, research team competence, and budget reasonableness. Panels made up of multidisciplinary reviewers assess applications, and final funding decisions are made based on merit and available funds. Applications must specify the most appropriate review panel designation, such as Earthquake Source Processes, Ground Motion Research, or a regional focus like Southern California or Pacific Northwest. Applicants must be registered in SAM.gov and Grants.gov, and foreign applicants must request an ASAP waiver. The program does not permit pre-award costs or typically allow for no-cost extensions or budget increases post-award. Funded projects are required to produce a final technical report, with data and outcomes publicly accessible. Principal Investigators are encouraged to publish results in peer-reviewed journals and comply with all reporting and policy standards outlined by USGS and the Department of the Interior.
Award Range
Not specified - Not specified
Total Program Funding
$5,000,000
Number of Awards
60
Matching Requirement
No
Additional Details
Estimated Total Program Funding: $5,000,000 Expected Number of Awards: 60
Eligible Applicants
Additional Requirements
This Announcement is open to all individuals and entities EXCEPT for the ineligible categories listed below.The following proposals are NOT eligible for consideration under this Announcement: Proposals for regional seismic monitoring or establishing Data Centers.Proposals for long-term operation of geodetic networks or instruments.Proposals from U.S. Government agencies or U.S. Government employees.Proposals from Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC).Proposals in which there is a real or apparent conflict of interest.Proposals principally involving the direct procurement of a product, equipment, or service.Proposals having subcontracts for 50 percent or greater of total direct costs. Excluded Parties:USGS conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award. USGS cannot award funds to entities or their key project personnel identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted or otherwise excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits, as their ineligibility condition applies to this Federal program.Involvement of Federal Employees: Federal employees, including USGS employees, are prohibited from serving in any capacity (paid or unpaid) on any application submitted under this Announcement; federal employees may not assist in the development of proposals. Proposals that have a real or apparent conflict of interest related to Federal employees will not be processed for evaluation. This does not prohibit cooperation or collaboration between USGS and non-USGS scientists once a grant or cooperative agreement is in place. The Program Description, found in the Program Overview Section of this NOFO, describes Collaborative Proposals.
Geographic Eligibility
All
Application Opens
March 21, 2025
Application Closes
May 28, 2025
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