Efforts to understand the causes of environmental disasters, like the collapse of local fisheries, are among the priorities for disaster research grant funding.
The federal government funds grant programs that help communities assess the risk of disasters, plan responses to problems when they occur and mitigate the damage left behind. Funding is directed toward a number of projects such as research for seismic disasters like volcanoes and earthquakes, environmental disasters like fishery collapse and efforts to reduce the need for federal intervention through disaster planning and mitigation. Most of these opportunities are offered to research institutions like public universities.
Volcano Hazards Program
The federal government funds research into monitoring volcano activity and mitigating hazards.
The Volcano Hazards Program is a federal stimulus grant that helps fund research into volcanoes and volcano-related disasters. The Department of the Interior awards grant funding for this program. Eligible projects include scientific research, upgrade to scientific monitoring equipment, improving warning systems, and preparing responses to volcanic hazards. Grant awards vary from $20,000 to $2 million, but the Department of the Interior estimates to average around $250,000. Research universities and nonprofit scientific institutions are eligible to apply for this opportunity.
US Geological Survey
Department of the Interior
904 National Center
Reston, VA 20192
703-648-6711
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program
The Department of the Interior also funds research into seismic disasters like earthquakes. The Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program funds disaster research projects that help public agencies better understand and monitor the risk factors for seismic events. Possible uses for this grant, according to the program announcement, include scientific research, monitoring efforts, hazard assessments and policy analysis. Research universities, local governments and both for-profit and nonprofit groups are eligible to apply.
US Geological Survey
Department of the Interior
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA 20192
703-648-6701
Fisheries Disaster Relief
Some disaster research funded by the federal government covers economic disasters resulting from environmental events, such as a fishery failure. When fisheries mysteriously collapse, the toll can be severe, leading to lost jobs and lasting environmental effects. The Department of Commerce funds research into these environmental disasters in order to better understand their causes and develop tools for either prevention or mitigation, where possible. Funds are also available to help restore collapsed fisheries and provide assistance to communities recovering from fisheries disasters.
NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service
Department of Commerce
1315 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-713-2358
Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant
The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides assistance to communities in order to better prepare for future natural disasters and to mitigate disaster risks. Mitigation is an intentional effort to reduce the effects of disasters by understanding their potential and responding to systemic weaknesses that could destroy communities. The long-term goal of this funding is to reduce the reliance of state and local governments on disaster relief from the federal government. Eligible projects include disaster risk assessment, planning studies, infrastructure projects and education programs.
Mitigation Division
Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate
Department of Homeland Security
1800 South Bell Street
Arlington, VA 20595
202-646-3428
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