USGS Earthquake Hazards Program External Research Support Announcement for Fiscal Year 2024

Background
The USGS Earthquake Hazards Program (EHP) issues this annual Announcement for assistance to support research in earthquake hazards, the physics of earthquakes, earthquake occurrence, and earthquake safety policy and address the Department of Interior’s Secretarial priorities. 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).

Grant Details
The Research Priorities presented in Attachment A reflect the mission of the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program (EHP) and address the Department of Interior’s Secretarial priorities. Proposals should clearly address both applicable program element(s) and priority topic(s).
The majority, greater than 50 percent, of research activities must be conducted by the Applicant. Proposals for geologic investigations shall be clearly oriented toward earthquake hazard research and assessment. Proposals to fund research in foreign countries will be considered only if the research is clearly oriented toward providing new knowledge or new techniques transferable to a U.S. seismogenic zone.

Eligibility Requirements
This Announcement is open to all individuals and entities EXCEPT for the ineligible categories listed below: 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.

Period of Performance
All projects must propose start dates between January 1, 2024 and September 1, 2024.

Grant Value
$4 million will be awarded in support of competitive research grants in FY2024, with a maximum total of $7 million.
Based on awards in recent years, 60 to 80 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 $100,000.