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Helping shape NZ’s resilience
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).
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.
More on applying
The Earthquake Commission (EQC) promotes and supports research in disaster risk reduction in New Zealand. Every two years, EQC awards research funding to experienced and emerging researchers through a contestable grant programme for public good research - the EQC Biennial Grants Programme.
Applications for the Biennial Grants will open on 1 June. We invite research applications that are relevant and aligned to EQC’s Research Investment Priorities Statement. The statement will be updated and available on our website in late April.The priorities identified in the statement will support the delivery of EQC’s Resilience Strategy.
The application process for this round will be simplified:
Stage 1 will require submitting a short 300-word pitch, stating the objectives, outcomes and benefits of the proposed project, and an estimate of total funding required.
Successful applications from Stage 1 will be invited to submit a proposal
Proposals will be assessed by a panel but will not go through a review process unless the panel requires additional expert opinion.
Projects ranging from $50,000-$70,000 are preferred, with a maximum of $100,000. This is an increase from previous years.
Funding of successful proposals will be available from January 2022.
Further information and application guidelines will be available on our website from 1 June 2021.
Timetable
Late April 2021
EQC’s Research Investment Priorities Statement 2021 published
1st 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.
More on 2020 winners
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.
More on 2020 winners
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