News Release
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey

March 20, 2006

Contact: Clarice Nassif Ransom, cransom@usgs.gov, 703-648-4299

USGS Announces $5.5 Million in Earthquake Research Grants Available for
2007
-- Applications Due May 2, 2006 --

(Reston, Virginia) The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announced today that
it will award up to $5.5 million in National Earthquake Hazards Reduction
Program (NEHRP) grants for earthquake research in 2007. Researchers
interested can review the grant announcement and apply online at
www.grants.gov. Applications are due May 2, 2006.

Earthquakes are one of the most costly natural hazards nationwide �� 75
million Americans in 39 states face significant risk from earthquakes.
Worldwide, more than 500,000 earthquakes occur annually. As part of the
multi-agency NEHRP program, USGS has the lead federal responsibility to
provide notification of earthquakes.

“Science research is critical to helping build safer communities
nationwide,” said Elizabeth Lemersal, NEHRP grants manager for USGS. “The
risks that earthquakes pose to society, including death, injury and
economic loss, can be greatly reduced by better planning, construction and
mitigation practices before earthquakes happen and providing critical and
timely information to improve response after they occur. Through our
external research efforts, we hope to achieve these goals.”

In 2006, USGS received 272 proposals and awarded $5.5 million in NEHRP
grants that resulted in 96 research grants. Funding was awarded to
universities, state geological surveys and private institutions. Key
projects include cataloging earthquakes in southern California to better
prepare emergency services, the public, and the media about earthquakes;
providing seismic hazard estimations 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.

For a complete list of all projects and outcomes, visit the USGS Web site
at www.erp-web.er.usgs.gov or contact the USGS libraries in Reston,
Virginia, at 703-648-4303; in Flagstaff, Arizona at 520-556-7272; in
Denver, Colorado, at 303-236-1000; or in Menlo Park, California, at
650-329-5027.