FY 2025-26 Earthquake Early Warning Implementation (EA) Program for Airports Program Supplemental

The Earthquake Early Warning Implementation (EA) Program for Airports, administered by the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), is a California state initiative designed to enhance seismic safety infrastructure across the state’s commercial airports. This program forms part of California's broader commitment to disaster prevention and mitigation, particularly in regions prone to seismic activity. By implementing the California Earthquake Early Warning System (CEEWS), the state aims to reduce the impact of earthquakes on critical infrastructure and protect lives through timely alerts and coordinated response capabilities. This specific funding opportunity targets commercial service airports located within California's borders. These airports play a crucial role in maintaining the state's connectivity, emergency logistics, and economic vitality. Given California's well-known seismic risk, enhancing the resilience of such infrastructure is imperative. The EA Program is intended to equip these airports with earthquake early warning (EEW) technology, integrating it into their operational and safety protocols. The system may include sensors, communication modules, alarms, and other hardware and software solutions capable of issuing alerts seconds before significant shaking begins. The funding under this program is provided through a reimbursement method, which means awardees will initially incur eligible costs and subsequently be reimbursed by the state. A total of $800,000 in state funds has been earmarked for this round of funding. Individual awards may vary significantly, with estimated amounts ranging from $1 to $400,000 depending on the project scope and specific needs of each applicant. However, the actual number of awards is not fixed and is instead dependent on the applications received and their budgetary justification. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for applicants under this program. To be eligible, applicants must be classified as commercial service airports legally operating in California. The program does not extend eligibility to private entities, nonprofits, or municipal governments unless they qualify under the defined category. This focused eligibility ensures that resources are directed precisely where they can support the most critical transportation nodes during a seismic event. The application process is conducted entirely online, with the grant portal providing access to application materials and submission tools. Interested applicants are encouraged to review the full program guidelines prior to submitting their proposals. While no letter of intent is required, all applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on March 23, 2026. The application timeline is straightforward: the award announcement is expected by June 1, 2026, and the period of performance begins on the same day and concludes on March 31, 2028. Applicants should ensure that their proposed activities align with this performance window. Applicants seeking additional information or clarification are advised to contact Dana Scarlett at the Governor's Office of Emergency Services. Dana can be reached at 1-916-364-4586 or via email at [email protected]. While there are no pre-application requirements such as LOIs or concept papers, prospective applicants should ensure timely submission to meet the stated deadline. This opportunity does not indicate recurrence, so interested airports should act within the current window.