Earthquake Hazards Program External Research Support Announcement for Fiscal Year 2027
Can you apply?
This grant is for researchers and institutions seeking funding to advance earthquake science and safety. Eligible applicants include universities, state agencies, regional and local government entities, and private industry organizations. Federal agencies, USGS employees, and federally funded research centers cannot apply. Research must address earthquake hazards, physics, occurrence, or safety policy—not regional monitoring networks or equipment procurement.
This grant is for researchers and institutions seeking funding to advance earthquake science and safety. Eligible applicants include universities, state agencies, regional and local government entities, and private industry organizations. Federal agencies, USGS employees, and federally funded research centers cannot apply. Research must address earthquake hazards, physics, occurrence, or safety policy—not regional monitoring networks or equipment procurement.
Program description
The USGS Earthquake Hazards Program (EHP) issues this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for assistance to support research in earthquake hazards, the physics of earthquakes, earthquake occurrence, and earthquake safety policy. This activity is authorized by the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (Public Law 95-124, 42 U.S.C. 7701 et. seq.), and as amended by the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-307).It is estimated that a total of $4 million will be awarded in support of competitive research grants in FY2027, with a maximum total of $7 million. Based on awards in recent years, approximately 50 to 70 new awards are funded each fiscal year. There is no maximum award amount (i.e., any amount may be proposed if it can be justified appropriately), however, the majority of grants range between $30,000 and $120,000. This estimate does not bind the USGS to a specified number of awards or to the amount of any award unless that amount is specified by statute or regulation.This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) competitive grants solicitation supports external research partnerships that are essential to the Earthquake Hazards Program (EHP) mission. The goal is to generate scientific information and situational awareness products that help the program reduce deaths, injuries, and economic losses from earthquakes, and improve public safety and resilience nationwide. External grants with university, state, regional and local government agencies, and private industry partners support science that cannot be conducted within the USGS because of a lack of sufficient in-house expertise. Grants.gov Subscription:Principal Investigators (PIs) are urged to sign up for Grants.gov”s subscription service to receive notices about the Earthquake Hazards Program grant funding opportunities and possible updates during the application period. Sign up is through the Grants.gov website; our CFDA number is 15.807.Anticipated Award Date:January 01, 2027All projects must propose start dates between January 1, 2027 and September 1, 2027. The start date requested in the applicant”s submitted proposal is considered the applicant’s official start date and may not be changed by the applicant. If funding delays do not allow for a project to be funded by the applicant’s requested start date, the award will be issued as soon as funds become available, and the applicant will be notified of the new start date by the USGS Contracting Officer.During the application period an applicant may submit a revised or corrected proposal through grants.gov. Include a cover letter as the first page of the proposal stating that the proposal is revised and indicating that the previous submission is to be withdrawn from consideration. Such submissions must be completed by June 4, 2026, at 6:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time. The Project Narrative instructions, found in the “Prepare Your Application” Section of this NOFO, describes requirements for the proposal and other application components.Please allow sufficient time for the proposal to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov and allow time for possible computer delays. Applicants are strongly advised not to wait until the last minute for submission. A proposal received after the closing date and time will NOT be considered for award. If the USGS determines that a proposal will not be considered for award due to lateness, the applicant will be notified immediately.Program Website Link:https://www.usgs.gov/programs/earthquake-hazards/science/external-grants
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Individuals
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Details
This grant is for researchers and institutions seeking funding to advance earthquake science and safety. Eligible applicants include universities, state agencies, regional and local government entities, and private industry organizations. Federal agencies, USGS employees, and federally funded research centers cannot apply. Research must address earthquake hazards, physics, occurrence, or safety policy—not regional monitoring networks or equipment procurement.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 Federal Application for Grants and Cooperative Agreements
- Project Narrative (proposal addressing earthquake hazards research)
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Curriculum Vitae of Principal Investigator
- Letters of Support (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Geological Survey
- 📧 margaret_eastman@ios.doi.gov
- 📞 916-278-9331
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 15.807 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$8,057,754
-
$6,801,047
-
$6,350,384
-
$5,078,886
-
$3,244,244
-
$3,195,673
-
$1,969,986
-
$1,905,438
-
$1,855,856
-
$1,739,000
Top States by Funding
- CA 31 awards $27.3M
- WA 6 awards $9.9M
- OR 7 awards $4.6M
- NV 5 awards $2.8M
- UT 4 awards $2.3M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 15.807). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2020 | $28,500,000 | |
| 2021 | $28,500,000 | |
| 2022 | $28,500,000 | |
| 2023 | $3,962,549 | |
| 2024 | $14,949,531 | |
| 2025 est. | $28,500,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $8,000,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply to this grant?
Universities, state/local government agencies, and private industry can apply. Federal agencies, USGS employees, and federally funded research centers are ineligible.
What is the deadline and funding range?
The deadline is June 4, 2026. Grants typically range from $30,000 to $120,000, with no maximum amount if justified.
What research topics are supported?
Earthquake hazards, physics of earthquakes, earthquake occurrence, and earthquake safety policy. Regional monitoring networks and equipment procurement are not eligible.
How many awards are expected?
Approximately 50 to 70 new awards are funded annually from a $4 million pool (up to $7 million total).
Can I include subcontracting costs?
Subcontracts cannot exceed 49 percent of total direct costs.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start your research question with a clear link to reducing earthquake deaths, injuries, or economic losses. Reviewers prioritize public safety impact.
- Review recent USGS EHP awards on their website to understand current research priorities and successful project structures.
- Budget realistically between $30,000 and $120,000 unless you have strong justification for a larger amount.
- Clearly explain why your institution or team is uniquely qualified to conduct this work—external grants fund research USGS cannot do in-house.
- Submit early through Grants.gov; do not wait until the final hours on June 4, 2026.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing regional seismic monitoring or data center operations—these are ineligible. Including subcontractors for 50 percent or more of direct costs disqualifies the application. Failing to demonstrate how the research reduces earthquake risk or improves public safety and resilience.
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