Energy Cooperatives to Support the National Coal Resources Data System (NCRDS)
Fiscal Year 2008: In FY 2008 (year 4 of 5 year cycle), 26 agencies were funded.
Tasks included the following: collect stratigraphic records for coals resources, collect samples for paleontological dating or chemical characterization, and study the occurrence of coal bed methane and shale gas.
Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available
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.
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2008: NCRDS has supported a partnering of States and USGS energy program since 1975. In FY 2008, 26 agencies in 23 States received funding for data collection and research support. A resulting coal stratigraphic database has nearly 370,000 points with over 5 million coded geologic units. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available
Uses and Use Restrictions
Additional specific objectives may be identified in the new five-year program announcement beginning FY 2010.
Applications for proposals not covered by at least one of the objectives are not solicited.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Public nonprofit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals): Higher Education (includes Research).
Other public institution/organization: Higher Education (includes Research).
Private nonprofit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals): Higher Education (includes Research).
Other private institutions/organizations: Higher Education (includes Research).
State (includes District of Columbia, public institutions of higher education and hospitals): Science and Technology
Beneficiary Eligibility
Anyone/general public; Scientist/Researchers; U.S. Citizen
Credentials/Documentation
None specific, although proposal should contain evidence of qualifications for performance of the work. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Environmental impact information is not required for this program.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. This program is subject to the Department of the Interior regulations at 43 CFR Part 12, Subparts C and D, or any subsequent revisions. The application requirements as contained in the announcement packages and the above regulations must be used for this program. Applications maybe made only through the internet site http://www.grants.gov. Links to USGS program announcements are available through the internet site http://www.usgs.gov/contracts/.
Award Procedures
Notification of an award is by a grant or cooperative agreement document signed by the contracting office.
Deadlines
Dec 01, 2009 to Dec 31, 2009: December 2009. Deadlines for proposals for fiscal year 2010 funding is anticipated in December 2009. Program announcement (anticipated 5-year cycle) will be for projects to start on July 1, 2010.
Authorization
Public Health and Welfare, 42 U.S.C 15801; Public Lands, 43 U.S.C 31 et. seq.; Minerals, Lands and Mines, 30 U.S.C 208-1.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Four to six months after submittal of proposal or bureau receipt of appropriations, whichever is later.
Appeals
Not Applicable.
Renewals
Annual renewals for continuation of work may occur through the 5-year cycle (FY 2010 to FY 2014), subject to the availability of annual funds.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program. No statutory requirement. In order to gain the greatest leverage of limited Federal and State funds, each proposed State-originated program should indicate some State matching of direct- and indirect-cost dollars. Exceptions may be granted for ratios far below 1:1. MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Grants will normally be awarded in 12 month budget periods, with the budget periods cumulative to the end of the total project period. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Not available.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Annual financial reports, final technical and financial must be submitted as described in the award terms and conditions.
Brief annual reports describing progress are also required.
Cash reports are not applicable.
Progress reports are not applicable.
Expenditure reports are not applicable.
Performance monitoring is not applicable.
Audits
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 expend 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 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. Applicants must 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 A-110, or superseding regulations. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular 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 are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular A-133.
Records
Cost records must be maintained separately for each award. Records, accounts and supporting documents must be retained for 3 years after submission of final financial and performance reports. If questions, such as those raised as the results of audits, remain following the 3-year period, recipients must retain records until all matters are resolved.
Financial Information
Account Identification
14-0804-0-1-306.
Obigations
(Cooperative Agreements) FY 08 $500,000; FY 09 est $500,000; FY 10 est $0
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
In FY 2009: $10,000 - $16,000; Average $13,800. In FY 2010 estimated $10,000- $20,000.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Not Applicable.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Susan J. Tewalt Department of the Interior, US Geological Survey, Energy Resources Program, MS 911 National Center, Reston 20192 Email: stewalt@usgs.gov Phone: 7036486437
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
A panel evaluates proposal to relevance to announced priorities, technical merit, and prospect of attaining program objectives.
Social Entrepreneurship
Spotlight
The Social Innovators of 2014
For 2014, the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship has recognized 37 individuals for their outstanding work in the field of social enterprise.
