The U.S. Geological Survey expects to award up to $7 million in grants for earthquake hazards research in 2016.

“The USGS Earthquake Hazards Program annually provides grants to support research targeted toward improving our understanding of earthquake processes, hazards and risks,” said Bill Leith, USGS Senior Science Advisor for Earthquake and Geologic Hazards. “We seek cutting-edge proposals that will further our efforts to reduce losses from earthquakes, provide more accurate and timely earthquake information and forecasts and better inform the public about earthquake safety.”

Interested researchers can apply online at GRANTS.GOV under funding opportunity number G15AS00037. Applications are due May 19, 2015.

Every year the USGS awards earthquake research grants to universities, state geological surveys and private institutions. Past projects included:

• trench investigations to better understand the size and age of large earthquakes between Salt Lake City and Provo, Utah;
• the application of innovative techniques to map seismic hazards near the nation’s capital;
• exploring the use of rapid and precise GPS recordings to improve earthquake early warning;
• analysis of the potential for large earthquakes in the Gorgonio Pass, an area of complex faulting east of San Bernardino, California;
• investigation of recent earthquake activity along major fault lines crossing southeast Alaska; and
• studies to characterize and understand the causes of potentially induced earthquakes in California, Kansas, Wyoming, Texas, and Ohio.

A complete list of funded projects and reports can be found on the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program external research support website.