The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program has funded projects covering recent tectonics and earthquake potential, research on earthquake occurrence and effects, and evaluation of regional and urban earthquake hazards. During fiscal year 2007, 92 out of 195 applications received funding.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Specific research objectives are identified in the annual program announcement.

Applications for research projects not covered by one of the objectives are not solicited.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Colleges, universities, profit-making, and nonprofit organizations, and State and local governments may make application for support by a named principal investigator.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Research scientists, engineers, and the general public will ultimately benefit from the program.

Credentials/Documentation

Proposals must furnish evidence of the applicant's qualifications for performance of the proposed research.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

None.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

This program is subject to the Department of the Interior regulations at 43 CFR Part 12, Subparts C and D, or any subsequent revisions. The application requirements as contained in the announcement package and the above regulations must be used for this program. Applications may be made only through the internet site http//www.grants.gov. Links to USGS program announcements are available through the internet site http://www.usgs.gov/contracts.

Award Procedures

Notification of an award is by a grant or cooperative agreement document signed by a contracting officer.

Deadlines

The application period for grants is generally open from mid-February until mid-May each year. Deadline for proposals for funding in fiscal year 2009 was May 16, 2008.

Authorization

42 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 5 to 9 months.

Appeals

None.

Renewals

None.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

No statutory requirement. Recipients are encouraged to share in the cost of each research project.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Grants and cooperative agreements will normally be awarded in 12 or 36 month budget periods.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Progress reports covering 12 months of activities and final technical and financial reports are required, and must be submitted electronically as described in the award package.

Audits

Applicants agree to give the sponsoring agency, the Comptroller General or other authorized audit agency access to and the right to examine records related to the award. Awards to educational institutions and nonprofit organizations are subject to the audit requirements of OMB Circular No. A-110, or superseding regulations. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations", nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program- specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 or more in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

All records must be maintained for 3 years after submission of the final financial report.

Financial Information

Account Identification

14-0804-0-1-306.

Obigations

(Grants and Cooperative Agreements) FY 07 $12,800,000; FY 08 $13,138,000; and FY 09 est $9,800,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$6,000 to 1,300,000; average $75,000.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

None.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Elizabeth Lemersal, External Research Support Manager, Earthquake Hazards Program Office, Geologic Division, Geological Survey, 905 National Center, Reston, VA 20192. Telephone: (703) 648-6701. Use same number for FTS. Fax: (703) 648-6642. E-mail: gd-erp-coordinator@usgs.gov.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Panels composed of expert scientists and engineers drawn from government, universities, and private industry evaluate all grant applications. Criteria for judging applications includes: relevance and timeliness of the proposed research to the goals of the program; technical quality of the proposal; competence of the principal investigator and recipient organization; and appropriateness and reasonableness of the budget.