USGS solicits applications for Earthquake Research Grants

Applications due May 13, 2009.

RESTON, Va. - The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) will award up to $7 million in grants and cooperative agreements for earthquake research in 2010.

Interested researchers can apply online at GRANTS.GOV under the funding opportunity number 10HQPA0001. Applications are due May 13, 2009.

The USGS awards approximately 90 research grants annually to universities, state geological surveys and private institutions. Key projects include cataloging earthquakes in Southern California to better prepare emergency responders, the public and the media about earthquakes; providing seismic hazard estimates so communities and critical institutions can engineer their buildings and roads to be structurally sound; and providing data on ground shaking to help minimize damage.

"We encourage research proposals focused on the geographical areas in the United States that are most at risk from earthquakes, on earthquake physics, earthquake effects and nationally applicable earthquake hazards issues," said Elizabeth Lemersal, external research support manager for the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.

For a complete list of funded projects and reports, visit Earthquake Hazards Program, External Research Support Web site at http://earthquake.usgs.gov/research/external/

posted March 30, 2009