Research grants

EQC Biennial Research Funding Programme

Every two years, EQC’s Biennial Grants programme invites experienced and emerging researchers to submit proposals for public good research (available for public use).

We invite research applications that are relevant to the scope of EQC’s role as defined by the Earthquake Commission Act 1993 and EQC’s Research Investment Priorities Statement.

Applications for the next round of Biennial Grants will open from 1 June 2021

University Research Programme

EQC has provided funding to tertiary institutions across New Zealand since the 1990s. This funding has helped support capability in natural disaster and risk reduction research. From 1 July 2020, EQC has been funding eight three-year research programmes which align with EQC’s Resilience Strategy and its research priorities.

Applying for the Biennial Grants Programme 2022

EQC’s Biennial Grants programme invites experienced and emerging researchers to submit proposals for public good research from 1 June 2021.

Timetable

Late April 2021	EQC’s Research Investment Priorities Statement 2021 published
1^st June	Applications open - guidelines available on EQC website
18 June (by midnight)	Stage 1 applications due to EQC
14 July	Applicants notified of results of Stage 1 and next steps if applicable. The panel assessing proposals will be announced.
16 August	Stage 2 proposals due to EQC
Mid October	Assessment Panel meets to select and recommend proposals for funding
Late October	Results announced

EQC reserves the right to adjust key dates if required.

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Biennial Grants 2020 winners

Grants were awarded to 16 projects covering a wide range of topics for the 2020 Biennial Grant round. The next round of Biennial Grants will be for 2022. Applications will open in 2021.

2020 Biennial Grant projects

Project	Researcher
A fuzzy approach to understanding multi-fault earthquakes	Dr Tim Stahl—University of Canterbury
Application of AI to advance structural performance and resiliency quantification	Dr Max Stephens—University of Auckland
Community led low-cost micro-seismic (MS) sensor network applications for Earthquake Early Warning (EEW)	Dr Raj Prasanna—Massey University
Determining ability for ground improvement to improve seismic foundation performance through full scale field testing	Dr Lucas Hogan—University of Auckland
Frictional strength and stability of greywacke fault zones	Dr Carolyn Boulton—Victoria University of Wellington
Geodetic and hydrological controls on seismic velocity changes after large earthquakes	Professor Martha Savage—Victoria University of Wellington
High resolution basement mapping beneath Wellington City based on gravity anomaly and borehole data	Professor Tim Stern—Victoria University of Wellington
Improved constraint on past Hikurangi subduction earthquake rupture dimensions using a locally derived marine reservoir correction	Dr Kate Clark—GNS Science
Paleoseismology of the newly discovered Te Puninga Fault, Hauraki Plains	Dr Pilar Villamor—GNS Science
Physics-based ground motion modelling for the urban Wellington region: Basin-edge effects and implications for seismic design	Professor Brendon Bradley—University of Canterbury
Seismic performance of multi-storey cross- laminated timber shear wall structures with high- capacity anchoring systems	Dr Minghao Li—University of Canterbury
Seismic strengthening of reinforced concrete walls in existing buildings with fibre-reinforced polymer materials	Dr Enrique Del Rey Castillo—University of Auckland
Towards near-real-time volcano monitoring with next-generation ambient noise techniques	Dr Chris van Houtte—GNS Science
Towards real-time probabilistic ash deposition forecasting for New Zealand	Dr Yannik Behr—GNS Science
Understanding organisations’ perceptions of obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 in relation to seismic hazards	Dr Tracy Hatton—Resilient Organisations
Understanding the seismic performance of structural insulated panels for use in New Zealand	Dr David Carradine—BRANZ

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University Research Programmes 2020 - 2023

EQC has provided funding to eight tertiary institutions across New Zealand to support capability in natural disaster and risk reduction research.

Programme	Programme Director
Engineering for Stronger Homes and Better Land in Aotearoa New Zealand	Prof Liam Wotherspoon—University of Auckland
Programme in Earthquake Seismology and Tectonic Geodesy	Prof John Townend—Victoria University of Wellington
The Economics of Financial Natural Hazards Risks and Changing Insurance Markets	Prof Ilan Noy, Chair in Economics of Diaster—Victoria University of Wellington
Mātauranga Māori Disaster Risk Reduction Research Centre	A/Prof Christine Kenney, Associate Professor of Disaster Research—Massey University
Assessment and Mitigation of Liquefaction Hazards	Prof Misko Cubrinovski—University of Canterbury
Building Resilience through Earthquake and Landslide Multi-Hazard Research in New Zealand	Dr Tim Stahl—University of Canterbury
Next-Generation Seismic Hazard Analysis for New Zealand	Prof Brendon Bradley, Professor of Earthquake Engineering—University of Canterbury
Understanding and Managing Seismic Risk in Low Seismic Hazard Zones	Prof Mark Stirling, Chair of Earthquake Science—University of Otago