USGS Earthquake Hazards Program External Research Support Announcement for Fiscal Year 2027

The U.S. Geological Survey, a bureau within the U.S. Department of the Interior, administers the Earthquake Hazards Program to advance scientific understanding of earthquakes and reduce their impacts on society. This funding opportunity supports external research partnerships that complement internal USGS capabilities by engaging universities, government entities, private industry, and other organizations. The program is authorized under federal legislation focused on earthquake hazard reduction and public safety, emphasizing the generation of scientific data and tools that enhance situational awareness and resilience across the United States. The purpose of this grant program is to fund research that improves understanding of earthquake processes, hazards, and risk mitigation strategies. Supported activities include studies on earthquake physics, occurrence patterns, hazard assessment, and safety policy development. The program prioritizes projects that contribute to reducing deaths, injuries, and economic losses associated with earthquakes. Funding is intended for research initiatives that cannot be conducted internally by the USGS due to capacity or expertise limitations, making external collaboration essential. Funding is provided through competitive research grants with an estimated total program allocation of four million dollars for the fiscal year. While no formal award ceiling or floor is specified, typical awards historically range between thirty thousand and one hundred twenty thousand dollars. Applicants may request higher amounts if justified by the scope and needs of the proposed research. Funds are expected to support project costs directly related to research activities, though proposals that primarily involve procurement of products or services, or that allocate more than fifty percent of direct costs to subcontracts, are not eligible. Eligibility for this program is broad and inclusive, allowing applications from individuals, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, and various levels of government, including state, local, and tribal entities. However, certain entities are excluded, including U.S. federal agencies, federally funded research and development centers, and applicants with conflicts of interest or those listed in federal exclusion databases. The program also excludes proposals focused on long-term monitoring operations or infrastructure establishment such as seismic networks or data centers. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Grants.gov platform by the stated deadline. Applicants are encouraged to register for updates and submit proposals well in advance to avoid technical delays. Revised submissions are permitted prior to the deadline if accompanied by a cover letter indicating the changes. Required application components include a project narrative and other documentation outlined in the official instructions. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances. The application deadline is June 4, 2026, with submissions due by 6:00 PM Eastern Time. Awards are anticipated to begin on or around January 1, 2027, with project start dates required to fall between January 1 and September 1, 2027. If funding delays occur, applicants will be notified of adjusted start dates. The program operates on an annual cycle, and future funding opportunities are expected to follow similar timelines. For assistance, applicants may contact the designated program representative via email.

Submit early to avoid technical delays; ensure strong justification for budget and research scope; follow narrative instructions carefully