State Department Awards $150,000 for UCV Seismic Training
The grant funds a partnership between Venezuela's Universidad Central and Arizona State University to address critical infrastructure gaps.
By Tomas Gonzalez ·
The U.S. State Department granted a $150,000 subsidy to Miyamoto Global Disaster Relief on November 4, 2026. The funds will support an academic cooperation project between the Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV) and Arizona State University (ASU). This financial backing aims to equip Venezuelan engineering students with advanced tools in seismic engineering and disaster prevention protocols.
John Barrett, the U.S. ambassador to Venezuela, framed the grant as part of a three-phase plan promoted by the White House and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This strategic scheme prioritizes direct investment in education and technical development for new generations. The goal is to use these investments as a driver for sustainable economic recovery in the Caribbean nation.
The U.S. embassy in Venezuela described the UCV and ASU collaboration as a milestone in international scientific cooperation. The embassy stated that specialized training in resilient infrastructure will be decisive for executing engineering projects under international safety standards. This initiative targets a building stock and public works that have suffered from decades of state neglect and inefficiency.
Urban development specialists noted that financing direct technical training programs through international cooperation bodies is the most effective way to empower civil society. They argue this approach prepares the operational bases for productive transformation. The project specifically seeks to allow professionals to diagnose, modernize, and protect the country's public assets.
The announcement comes as the U.S. diplomatic mission continues to engage with Venezuelan academic institutions. The grant represents a direct transfer of resources to address specific technical deficits in Venezuela's infrastructure sector.
