The research award programs at the Natural Hazards Center are small, but mighty. In the past year we’ve issued more than 30 awards totaling nearly $415,000. The awards have helped advance hazards and disaster research in the areas of public health, mitigation, extreme weather events, and climate impacts. Most often, this research focuses on collecting perishable data; meeting the needs of underserved or socially marginalized communities; providing disaster professionals with the data they need; and other novel and underexplored research topics.
The research produced by these programs doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Awardees submit preliminary research reports which are freely available on our website and are used by practitioners on the ground, teachers in the classroom, and numerous others who appreciate accessible research on disasters. Awardees have used research award funds to collect data for their dissertation, pursue novel research ideas, or to strengthen their applications for larger or long-term grants.
Above all, the research award programs provide opportunity—opportunity for researchers to do their work and for that work to make a difference. We don’t want you to miss out on this chance to further hazards and disasters knowledge. Please read below to learn about research awards you can apply for right now.
Quick Response Research Award Program
The Quick Response program provides funding for researchers to collect perishable disaster data before it disappears. Currently, there are two opportunities available to receive awards through this National Science Foundation-funded program.
Quick Response Awards. Awards for the regular program are available throughout the year. Proposals are reviewed and awards issued as they are received.
Award Amount: Up to $5,000
Apply: Anytime
Find more info and submission requirements here.
Special Call for Health and Climate-Related Disaster Research. This special call provides funding from the National Institutes of Health to explore how climate-related disasters impact the health outcomes of disproportionately affected groups. Proposals are reviewed and awards issued as they are received.
Award Amount: $10,000 to $50,000
Apply: Anytime until funding is depleted
Find more info and submission requirements here.
Weather Ready Research Award Program
The Weather Ready program is supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to help build a Weather Ready Nation. These awards encourage social, behavioral, and economic science data collection that guides preparation, communication, response, and recovery for weather events. There are currently two opportunities open.
Flood Ready Research and Data Publication. This call for proposals supports research and the publication of data, instruments, and protocols related to inland floods. Proposals will be reviewed, and award notifications will issued in April 2024.
Award Amount: $2,000 to $10,000
Apply: By March 11, 2024
Find more info and submission requirements here
Wildfire Ready Quick Response Research and Data Publication. This call for proposals provides funding to collect data before, during, and after wildfires, and to publish fire weather data, instruments, and protocols. Proposals are reviewed and awards issued as they are received.
Award Amount: $1,000 to $7,500
Apply: By June 3, 2024
Find more info and submission requirements here
Tornado Ready Research and Data Publication. This call for proposals supports research and the publication of data, instruments, and protocols related to tornado research, particularly those focused on places that house or serve socially marginalized populations, such a schools, nursing homes, correctional facilities, or manufactured homes.
Award Amount: $1,250 to $15,000
Apply: By August 9, 2024
We hope you’ll be inspired to take advantage of these currently available opportunities. You can also sign up or adjust your email preferences to receive notices of funding opportunities in your inbox. Please contact the Natural Hazards Center Research Awards Program with any questions.