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Hazard Mitigation and Structural Engineering (HMSE) Program (NSF) FAQs

1) What is the HMSE program?

The Hazard Mitigation and Structural Engineering (HMSE) program is a National Science Foundation (NSF) discretionary grant opportunity that supports fundamental research in structural engineering. It is focused on advancing how structural systems are designed, analyzed, and understood so they perform better under extreme conditions.

2) What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The core purpose is to improve the safety, reliability, and resilience of structural systems by developing stronger scientific and engineering foundations for how buildings, bridges, and other civil infrastructure respond to extreme events.

3) What types of structures are in scope?

The opportunity emphasizes civil infrastructure such as buildings, bridges, and other structural systems where improved performance under extreme loads is a central concern.

4) What kinds of hazards does HMSE address?

HMSE covers both natural hazards (for example, earthquakes) and technological or human-caused hazards, including blast-related threats.

5) What research topics are emphasized in the program?

HMSE highlights several major topic areas, including: (1) new technologies and design approaches that measurably improve structural behavior and performance, (2) innovations in structural analysis and model-based simulation, (3) structural health monitoring, and (4) control techniques for structural systems.

6) Does HMSE support work on new structural systems and design concepts?

Yes. A major theme is the development of innovative structural systems and design concepts that improve performance under extreme conditions, including approaches that enhance reliability, robustness, long-term resilience, and sustainability.

7) Are materials-focused projects eligible?

The program description includes improved materials or components when they are tied to system-level structural performance. In other words, materials and components are discussed in the context of how they affect overall structural behavior and resilience.

8) What does the program mean by improving the "scientific basis" for structural engineering decisions?

This refers to research that deepens understanding of how and why structures respond under extreme loads or damaging events, so that engineering decisions are grounded in stronger predictive and explanatory knowledge.

9) Is computational modeling and simulation a supported area?

Yes. HMSE explicitly supports innovation in structural analysis and model-based simulation, including better computational methods, improved predictive models, and simulation tools that capture structural response under complex hazard scenarios.

10) What modeling challenges or real-world complexities does HMSE encourage proposals to address?

The opportunity notes that projects may address complexities such as nonlinear behavior, damage progression, uncertainty, and other conditions that traditional models may not represent well.

11) What is structural health monitoring in the context of HMSE?

Structural health monitoring is described as technologies and methods for sensing, measuring, and interpreting the condition of structures over time, including detecting damage after hazardous events or identifying deterioration before it becomes critical.

12) Are structural control technologies relevant to this program?

Yes. The program encourages applications of control techniques for structural systems, including passive, semi-active, or active strategies intended to reduce damaging responses, improve stability, or limit service disruptions during hazardous events.

13) What funding opportunity number identifies this program?

This opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number PD 10 1637.

14) What is the CFDA listing associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under the NSF Engineering Grants CFDA 47.041.

15) What is the funding mechanism or activity category?

It is a grant mechanism under the "Science and Technology and other Research and Development" activity category.

16) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The information provided states that cost sharing or matching is not required.

17) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to applicants, subject to any additional eligibility details that may have been included in the full program text.

18) When were proposals typically due?

The program used recurring annual submission windows with due dates by 5 p.m. local time during two periods: January 15 to February 15, and September 1 to October 1.

19) What time zone applies to the deadline time?

The due dates are stated as 5 p.m. local time, meaning the relevant local time where the submission is being made applies.

20) When was this solicitation posted?

The record indicates the solicitation was posted on August 4, 2010.

21) What was the original closing date listed in the record?

The stated original closing date in the record was October 1, 2010.

22) Is this opportunity still active?

The record indicates it was archived on December 20, 2012.

23) Where should applicants go for technical issues related to the announcement?

For access or technical issues related to the announcement, NSF directed applicants to Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.