U.S. Geological Survey_ Research and Data Collection
This entry covers a variety of USGS assistance awards not covered by any other
Awards are typically supported by funding from internal projects and programs, and funds are not separately budgeted or reserved for external projects or proposals under this entry.
Examples of Funded Projects
Support for various boards and committees of the National Academy of Science, National Coal Resources Data System, http://energy.er.usgs.gov/NCRA; support for collaborative coastal and marine geology studies (Woods Hole, MA and St.
Petersburg, FL), collaborative volcano monitoring, and continuing support of university observatories and earth science research facilities.
The Department of the Interior protects and provides access to the Nation's natural and cultural heritage, including responsibilities to Indian tribes and island communities. Departmental goals include resource protection and usage, overseeing recreational opportunities, serving communities and excellence in management.
For Alabama, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, write: Regional Director for Eastern Region, U. S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 150, Reston, VA 20192.
Telephone (703) 648-4582.
For Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming, write: Regional Director for Central Region, U. S. Geological Survey, Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225.
Telephone: (303) 202-4740.
For Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, write: Regional Director for Western Region, U. S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025.
Telephone: (650) 329-4011.
Relevant Nonprofit Program Categories
Program Accomplishments
In fiscal year 2007 for this category approximately 270 grants and cooperative agreements were made to support the Geological Survey's earth science research mission. Approximately the same number is projected for fiscal year 2008.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Applications must be for scientific research projects which are within the Survey's area of responsibility.
The majority of funds are used to support research that will enhance existing, long-term collaborative projects.
Funds can be used for attendance at national conferences for the dissemination of project results.
Further, conferences and symposia will be supported only if it is clear that equivalent results cannot be obtained at regular meetings of professional societies.
Office furniture, office equipment, and foreign travel are not normally considered for support.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Profit organizations, public nonprofit institutions/organizations, private nonprofit institutions/organizations, and State and local governments may make application for support by a named principal investigator.
Due to limited availability of funds to support new external projects, consultation with USGS is strongly recommended prior to submission of applications.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Profit organizations, public nonprofit institutions/organizations, private nonprofit institutions/organizations, and State and local governments, industry and public decision makers, research scientists, engineers, and the general public will ultimately benefit from knowledge gained under the program.
Credentials/Documentation
Proposals must furnish evidence of the applicant's qualifications for performance of the proposed research. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments; OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions; OMB Circular No. A-122 for nonprofit organizations; and Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 31.2 for private firms, individuals, and other nonprofits excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-122.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Discussions regarding funding availability and program interest are strongly encouraged, as limited funding is available for new projects.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
These are typically individually evaluated and funded projects; there is no annual program announcement, prospectus or other invitation for applications. The standard application form SF 424 and other forms required by OMB Circular Nos. A-102 and A-110, or their successor(s), and the Department of the Interior regulation at 43 CFR Part 12, Subparts C and D, or its revisions, must be used. See also http://www.usgs.gov/contracts/grants/unsolbk.html.
Award Procedures
Notification of an award is by a grant or cooperative agreement document signed by a contracting officer.
Deadlines
None.
Authorization
Organic Act of 1879, 43 U.S.C. 31, 43 U.S.C. 36c.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 3 to 6 months.
Appeals
Not applicable except that application may be revised and resubmitted.
Renewals
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Generally, no statutory requirement. Recipients are encouraged to share in the cost of each research project. Appropriations language requires cooperating State and local governments to contribute at least one-half the cost of certain cooperative water resources investigation and cooperative mapping projects.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Grants and cooperative agreements will normally be awarded in, but not restricted to, 12 month budget periods.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Annual and final technical and financial reports are required.
Audits
Applicants agree to give the sponsoring agency, the Comptroller General or other authorized audit agency access to and the right to examine records related to the award. Awards to educational institutions and nonprofit organizations are subject to the audit requirements of OMB Circular No. A-110, or superseding regulations. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations", nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 or more in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
All records must be maintained for 3 years after submission of the final financial report.
Financial Information
Account Identification
14-0804-0-1-306.
Obigations
FY 07 $41,000,000; FY 08 est $41,000,000; and FY 09 est $41,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$1,000 to $971,000; $50,000.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
USGS Guide for Submission of Unsolicited Proposals is available at: http://www.usgs.gov/contracts/grants/unsolbk.html.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Contact the appropriate regional office, depending on the location of the study. For Alabama, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, write: Regional Director for Eastern Region, U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 150, Reston, VA 20192. Telephone (703) 648-4582. For Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming, write: Regional Director for Central Region, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225. Telephone: (303) 202-4740. For Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, write: Regional Director for Western Region, U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025. Telephone: (650) 329-4011.
Headquarters Office
This is not a single formal program; awards are not centrally managed or coordinated. Refer to Regional or Local Office contacts.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Scientists within the Geological Survey will review and evaluate all applications consistent with authorized USGS program purposes. Criteria for judging applications will include scientific excellence and relevance to the solution of important problems within the mission of the Geological Survey. Applications will be funded only to the extent permitted by available funds.
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