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US Governmental Spending for Disaster-Related Research, 2011–2016: Characterizing the State of Science Funding Across 5 Professional Disciplines

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 May 2019

Thomas D. Kirsch  and
Mark Keim
Thomas D. Kirsch*
Affiliation:
National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Uniformed Services University, Rockville, MD
Mark Keim
Affiliation:
National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Uniformed Services University, Rockville, MD
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Thomas Kirsch, National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Uniformed Services University, 11300 Rockville Pike, Suite 1000, Rockville, MD (e-mail: thomas.kirsch@usuhs.edu).
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Abstract

Objective:

Disaster-related research funding in the United States has not been described. This study characterizes Federal funding for disaster-related research for 5 professional disciplines: medicine, public health, social science, engineering, emergency management.

Methods:

An online key word search was performed using the website, www.USAspending.gov, to identify federal awards, grants, and contracts during 2011–2016. A panel of experts then reviewed each entry for inclusion.

Results:

The search identified 9145 entries, of which 262 (3%) met inclusion criteria. Over 6 years, the Federal Government awarded US $69 325 130 for all disaster-related research. Total funding levels quadrupled in the first 3 years and then halved in the last 3 years. Half of the funding was for engineering, 3 times higher than social sciences and emergency management and 5 times higher than public health and medicine. Ten (11%) institutions received 52% of all funding. The search returned entries for only 12 of the 35 pre-identified disaster-related capabilities; 6 of 12 capabilities appear to have received no funding for at least 2 years.

Conclusion:

US federal funding for disaster-related research is limited and highly variable during 2011–2016. There are no clear reasons for apportionment. There appears to be an absence of prioritization. There does not appear to be a strategy for alignment of research with national disaster policies.

Keywords

disaster medicinedisastershealth policypolicy-makingprofessional disciplines
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 13 , Issue 5-6 , December 2019 , pp. 912 - 919
Copyright
Copyright © 2019 Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 

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