In an effort to support research that will improve the ability of buildings, infrastructure, and communities to withstand severe natural hazards, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Science Foundation have awarded 15 U.S. universities with grants totaling nearly $7.1 million.

The grant projects are funded through the Disaster Resilience Research Grant program, jointly managed by the two agencies. Research will aim to reduce the disastrous economic and societal impacts of natural hazards, and projects selected will focus on various aspects of resistance, including studying the characteristics of thunderstorm winds, using principles from artificial intelligence to develop near real-time infrastructure damage prediction models, and more.

NIST reports that award applicants were asked to consider natural hazards such as hurricanes and tornadoes; sustained rain, coastal and inland flooding, and tsunamis; wildland-urban interface fires; and earthquakes, and how communities could reduce their vulnerabilities to them and increase their resilience.

“These grants support science-based methods of improving resilience, including improved planning, policy, decisions, design, codes, and standards,” said Joannie Chin, NIST’s Engineering Laboratory director. “They can also help educate the next generation of engineers and designers and ensure that a diversity of communities is considered and given the tools they need to protect their futures.”

Access the full list of research projects and universities funded by NIST and NSF via NIST’s news release.