Earthquake State Assistance

The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) is the Federal Government’s coordinated approach to addressing earthquake risks. In support of NEHRP, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers the Earthquake State Assistance grant program which is designed to increase and enhance the effective implementation of earthquake risk reduction activities at the national, regional, state and local level, by making funding available through annual, non-competitive and competitive grants. NEHRP implements the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Presidential Policy Directive (PPD -8) objective of hazard mitigation, to develop and maintain those capabilities necessary to reduce the loss of lives and property by lessening the impact of earthquakes. In an effort to provide eligible States and Territories with multiple funding and project management options, as well as to allow for multi-state coordination of projects, the Earthquake State Assistance grant program utilizes two separate funding opportunities: Individual State Earthquake Assistance (ISEA), and Multi-State and National Earthquake Assistance (MSNEA). The Individual State Earthquake Assistance funding opportunity provides funding directly to those States and Territories that have been determined to be at a high, or a very high risk of earthquakes, and who can provide the statutory 25 percent cost-share. They must also be able to demonstrate that the assistance will result in enhanced seismic safety in the State. Funding is provided to eligible States and Territories through non-competitive grants that are administered by FEMA Regional earthquake program management staff. Allowable activities include: Support of seismic mitigation planning, developing inventories and conducting seismic safety inspections of critical structures and lifeline infrastructure, updating building codes, zoning codes, and ordinances to enhance seismic safety, increasing earthquake awareness and education, participation in emergency management exercises that substantially benefit earthquake mitigation efforts, and the promotion of earthquake insurance. Additionally, the Multi-State and National Earthquake Assistance funding opportunity is designed to facilitate the development and management of National, regional and multi-state earthquake risk reductions activities. Funding is made available through competitive grants to nonprofit organizations, as defined by 2 C.F.R. §200.70 and institutions of higher education as defined by 2 C.F.R. §200.55. The grants are administered by FEMA Headquarters’ earthquake program management staff.