National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Individual State Earthquake Assistance

Program objective

​​The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) Individual State Earthquake Assistance (ISEA) grant program makes funds available to states and U.S. territories to increase and enhance the effective implementation of earthquake risk reduction at the state and local level. FEMA recognizes that earthquakes cannot be prevented, but their impacts on life, property, and the economy can be managed. The ISEA grant program prioritizes reducing the risks to life and property from future earthquakes in the U.S. through the establishment and maintenance of an effective earthquake hazards reduction program. All activities funded by the ISEA grant program must be consistent with the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP) vision, mission, and strategic goals.​

As published in the SAM.gov Assistance Listing.

No open or forecasted opportunities are currently posted under this listing. Programs often post notices on an annual cycle — see recently closed opportunities below for timing.

Eligible applicants (program level)

• ✓U.S. Territory (or Possession) Government (including freely-associated states)
• ✓Local
• ✓State
• ✓Other Local Government Consortium, Regional Organization (Intrastate), or Other Local Government Combination
• ✓Territorial
• ✓Tribal
• ✓Indian/Native American/Alaska Native Tribal Government (Other than Federally Recognized)
• ✓Federally Recognized Indian/Native American/Alaska Native Tribal Government
• ✓Department or Agency of a U.S. Territorial Government
• ✓Department or Agency of a U.S. State Government
• ✓U.S. State Government (including the District of Columbia)

​U.S. Territories, State, Local, Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments. This funding opportunity is provided to those states, tribal governments, and territories that have been determined to be at a high or very high risk of earthquakes. This determination is made and published annually by FEMA as the State Assistance Target Allocation Plan. The FY 2025 plan determination is based on the Seismic Design Category (SDC) per the 2020 NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions for New Buildings and Other Structures FEMA P-2082, American Society of Civil Engineers and Structural Engineering Institute ASCE/SEI 7-22 Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures, as shown in the International Code Council (ICC) approved 2024 IBC SDC map and at-risk population in a state. A state of high earthquake risk (with areas in the state boundary designated as SDC D or above per the 2024 IBC SDC map and at-risk population more than 50,000 based on 2020 US Census population), OR more than 1000 square miles of high seismic area (SDC D or above per 2024 IBC SDC map) will be eligible for a baseline amount plus an additional risk-based award amount. Applicants should be aware that changes in areas of earthquake hazard within the state and changes in population size affect the determination. The additional amount is in proportion to the state’s Annualized Earthquake Loss, which is documented in FEMA P-366 HAZUS Estimated Annualized Earthquake Losses for the United States. Participation in this funding opportunity is further limited to those states and territories that can provide the statutory 25% non-federal cost share. The cost share requirement does not apply to those territories that are considered "Insular Areas" (U.S. Virgin Islands), and otherwise eligible for program participation.

Intended beneficiaries: Department or Agency of a U.S. State Government, U.S. Territory (or Possession) Government (including freely-associated states), Tribal, Territorial, State, Indian/Native American/Alaska Native Tribal Government (Other than Federally Recognized), Federally Recognized Indian/Native American/Alaska Native Tribal Government and Department or Agency of a U.S. Territorial Government.

Program-level eligibility from SAM.gov. Each funding notice sets its own requirements.

Frequently asked questions