The integrated systems modeling to support the use of earth observations in the disaster management lifecycle goal is to design a systems architecture framework to better integrate systems thinking…

The U.S. government awarded a $600,000 grant to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for research on integrated systems modeling to support the use of Earth observations in disaster management. Under contract 24-SMDSS24-0051, MIT will design a systems architecture framework that integrates systems thinking into disaster applications, with work to be completed by December 31, 2026. The project will develop discrete pathways for analyzing disaster contexts—including natural and built environments and impacts to lives and livelihoods—while identifying the stakeholder communities that would benefit from enhanced processes to address their disaster management needs.

Beyond the core systems architecture development, MIT will create capacity building tools to train partners across academia, private, and public sectors, enabling the replication and scaling of the framework into their respective workflows and programs. The work is performed in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and funded by a civilian federal agency through the Shared Services Center. No set-aside designation was used for this award, allowing MIT to compete on its full capabilities. This grant reflects the federal government's investment in enhancing disaster management capabilities through advanced systems integration and Earth observation technology.

The integrated systems modeling to support the use of earth observations in the disaster management lifecycle goal is to design a systems architecture framework to better integrate systems thinking into disaster applications. This will include the development of discreet pathways for considering disaster contexts (the natural and built environments and impacts to lives and livelihoods) as well as the stakeholder community that would benefit from these enhanced processes and improve their community's disaster management needs. This will also include a series of capacity building tools to train partners across academia, private, and public sectors in order to replicate and scale this framework into their workflows and programs.