Volcano Hazards Program Research and Monitoring
Active
- Assistance listing
- 15.818
- Agency
-
US Geological Survey
Department of the Interior
- Grant awards
- 28 $50,644,420 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Also known as
- Volcano Hazards Research and Monitoring
- Assistance types
-
- Cooperative Agreement
- Project Grant
- Treasury account
-
- 14-0804-0-1-306
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The Department of the Interior US Geological Survey funds volcano monitoring, hazard assessment, and related research activities through the Volcano Hazards Program Research and Monitoring (CFDA 15.818), with application deadlines approximately two months before cooperative agreement start dates of February 1, April 1, May 1, and June 1 each year.
The program supports long-standing partnerships with state geological surveys and university collaborators working with five regional USGS volcano observatories in Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming (Yellowstone). Funded activities include continuous seismic and infrasound monitoring at high-threat volcanoes, real-time data collection and processing, volcano hazard assessment and mapping, digital infrastructure and information systems for volcano monitoring data, public information delivery through websites and outreach, and geochemical and geophysical research on volcanic processes. Work generates critical data used by USGS to meet its Congressional mandate for timely volcanic hazard warnings and supports the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System.
Between 2009 and January 2023, the program distributed 28 awards totaling $50.6 million in federal obligations. Awards are predominantly cooperative agreements (96 percent) with state and university partners; a single project grant comprises the remainder. The two USGS funding entities—the Office of Acquisitions and Grants (16 awards, $41.2 million) and the parent USGS agency (12 awards, $9.5 million)—account for all funding. Recent award volume averaged 2.2 per year from 2019 to 2023, though the most recent award was made January 3, 2023.
Representative recent awards include a $7.4 million cooperative agreement to Alaska's Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys for volcano hazard assessment and monitoring across multiple Aleutian volcanoes through February 2026; a $887 thousand award to the University of Washington for continuous seismic monitoring of Washington and Oregon Cascade volcanoes through April 2025; and a $243 thousand award to Alaska for developing volcano monitoring information systems and data aggregation infrastructure for the National Volcano Information Service through December 2024. Most recent grant opportunities posted in 2018–2020 targeted established university and state geological survey partners. No current solicitation appears in the source material. Discussions regarding funding availability and program interest are encouraged, though the program notes limited funding exists for new projects.
Objective and description
- Objective
To advance the scientific understanding of volcanic processes and to lessen the harmful impacts of volcanic activity. The Volcano Hazards Program (VHP) monitors active and potentially active volcanoes, assesses their hazards, responds to volcanic cri
- Description
The Volcano Hazards Research and Monitoring Program supports long standing partnerships with state geological surveys and university collaborators that work with the five U.S. volcano observatories. These partners provide specialized scientific expertise and on the ground capabilities essential for monitoring and studying volcanic activity in Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming (Yellowstone). Their work generates critical data used by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to meet its Congressional mandate to deliver timely and reliable warnings of potential volcanic hazards that threaten public safety. This assistance strengthens the nation's ability to understand, detect, and respond to volcanic unrest by ensuring that research, monitoring, and hazard assessments are informed by the best available science. It uniquely supports cooperative agreements with established regional experts whose long term knowledge of local volcanic systems contributes directly to national risk reduction efforts. The program also advances the goals of the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System (Public Law 116 9) by prioritizing high threat volcanoes and sustaining the scientific partnerships needed to improve eruption forecasts, support emergency managers, and enhance community preparedness.
Eligibility
- Uses of assistance
Cooperative Agreements are entered into for the purpose of conducting monitoring and research as specified in Public Law 93-288.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
Program obligates funds and sends a notice of award to successful applicants. Recipients request funds in accordance with 2 CFR 200, Subpart E-Cost Principles, unless otherwise dictated by program-specific legislation or special award terms. Program will include any special payment terms and conditions in the notice of award.
How to apply
- Preapplication coordination
Notwithstanding the provision at OMB Circular A-110, Subpart C, __.25 (e)(1), discussions regarding funding availability and program interest are strongly encouraged, as limited funding is available for new projects.
- Criteria for selecting proposals
Scientists within the Geological Survey will review and evaluate all applications consistent with authorized USGS program purposes. Criteria for judging applications will include scientific excellence and relevance to the solution of important problems within the mission of the Geological Survey Applications will be funded only to the extent permitted by available funds.
- Award procedure
Notification of an award is by receipt of a grant or cooperative agreement from a U.S. Geological Survey contracting officer through GrantSolutions (https://home.grantsolutions.gov/home/)
- Deadlines
Deadlines for application submission for the 5 ongoing cooperative agreements are approximately 2 months before the start dates of February 1, April 1, May 1, and June 1.
- Time to approval or disapproval
Established annually. The range of approval/disapproval time is from 3 to 6 months.
Grant opportunities
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 28 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska Department Of Natural Resources | $22,026,554 | 43% |
| 2 | University Of Alaska Fairbanks | $15,995,392 | 32% |
| 3 | University Of Hawaii | $5,172,187 | 10% |
| 4 | University Of Utah | $3,848,352 | 8% |
| 5 | University Of Washington | $2,351,984 | 5% |
| 6 | University Of Hawaii | $420,988 | 1% |
| 7 | University Of Oregon | $284,149 | 1% |
| 8 | Boise State University | $133,527 | <1% |
| 9 | CSU Fullerton Auxiliary Services Corporation | $129,752 | <1% |
| 10 | University Of Alabama | $123,876 | <1% |
10 of 13 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2025 | $2,170,232 |
| FY2024 | $2,881,269 |
| FY2023 | $6,307,758 |
| FY2022 | $4,629,696 |
| FY2021 | $4,305,854 |
| FY2020 | $5,368,586 |
| FY2019 | $9,126,485 |
| FY2018 | $4,447,008 |
| FY2017 | $2,769,175 |
| FY2016 | $2,601,308 |
| FY2015 | $733,291 |
| FY2014 | $375,841 |
| FY2013 | $893,074 |
| FY2012 | $570,352 |
| FY2011 | $312,447 |
Show all 15
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 15.818?
Assistance Listing 15.818 is Volcano Hazards Program Research and Monitoring, a federal grant program run by US Geological Survey (Department of the Interior).
What is the CFDA number for Volcano Hazards Program Research and Monitoring?
Its CFDA number is 15.818: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 15.818 awarded?
28 grant awards under 15.818 have obligated $50,644,420 in federal funds to 13 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 15.818?
The recipients obligated the most under Volcano Hazards Program Research and Monitoring are Alaska Department Of Natural Resources ($22,026,554), University Of Alaska Fairbanks ($15,995,392) and University Of Hawaii ($5,172,187).
How much did 15.818 obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Grants under 15.818 obligated $2,170,232 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.
Are there open grant opportunities under 15.818?
No opportunity listed under 15.818 is open now. The latest, Improving seismic and infrasound constraints on surface flows at Cascade Volcanoes, was posted on February 13, 2020.
On GovTribe
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