USGS Cooperative Landslide Hazard Mapping and Assessment Program

To support risk communication, planning and coordination, mapping and assessments, and data collection of landslide hazards in order to develop information, knowledge, and methods that leads to the reduction of losses from landslides and increase in

This grant opportunity supports communities that face the risk of landslides by helping them better understand, plan for, and reduce these hazards. It offers funding to state, Tribal, territorial, and local governments so they can strengthen public safety, protect lives and property, and build long‑term resilience. The program focuses on activities that help communities identify where landslides may occur, understand what triggers them, and learn how these events could affect people, infrastructure, and natural resources. It supports efforts such as hazard mapping, data collection, planning, coordination, education, and community outreach, all essential pieces of reducing landslide losses and improving preparedness. What makes this opportunity unique is its emphasis on helping governments use the best available science to guide decisions that keep communities safe. Applicants can pursue projects that improve hazard maps, develop emergency response procedures, train local officials, or engage the public through clear communication and educational materials. These efforts are designed to ensure that the right information reaches the right people at the right time. The program also recognizes that each community's needs are different. It encourages place‑based approaches, collaboration across agencies and jurisdictions, and the development of tools that can be used and adapted long after the project ends. By supporting projects that combine scientific understanding with practical, on‑the‑ground action, the grant helps communities become more resilient and better prepared for future landslide events.

Recipients will use funding to cover overhead or administrative costs to fulfill its obligations under the cooperative agreement, as well as salary and benefits for enrollees. Overhead or administrative costs may include payroll and benefits management, required reporting, and providing interactive portal for enrollee supervisors, among others. Authorizing legislation (P.L. 116-94, Sec. 111) specifies that Program activities may not: (1) result in the displacement of individuals currently employed by the Department of the Interior, including partial displacement through reduction of non-overtime hours, wages, or employment benefits; (2) result in the use of an individual under the Department of the Interior Experienced Services Program for a job or function in a case in which a Federal employee is in a layoff status from the same or substantially equivalent job within the Department; or (3) affect existing contracts for services.

The Landslide Hazards Program Grant is authorized by Congress annually in the Consolidated Appropriations Act. The program is not funded; each project is funded through existing program budgets as needs are identified. Funding may be provided to individual projects until those projects expire, including over multiple years, unless statutory authority is not provided in a given year.

Application coordination is not required but is recommended. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372

Panels composed of landslide expert from areas such as government, universities, and private industry, will evaluate all grant applications. Criteria for judging applications includes: relevance and timeliness of the proposed research to the goals of the program; technical quality of the proposal; competence of the principal investigator and recipient organization; and appropriateness and reasonableness of the budget. Funding prioritization shall be given to projects (I) that will achieve the greatest landslide hazard and risk reduction; (II) that reflect the goals and priorities of the National Strategy for Landslide Loss Reduction (Open-File Report 2022-1075); (III) not less than 50 percent of the total cost of which is matched by non-Federal sources; and (IV) that include acquisition of enhanced elevation data consistent with the 3D Elevation Program.

After there is a master cooperative agreement in place, further information for each specific project will be available at the time the funding opportunity announcement is posted on www.grants.gov and may be obtained by contacting the Program Manager listed as the point of contact.

90-days after posting the Program Announcement.

This program will fund any approved renewal application as new award, not as an amendment to an existing award. Recipients may request approval for budget and project plan revisions of funded projects, including period of performance and reporting due date extensions, in accordance with 2 CFR 200.