2026_Landslide_NOFO_Attachments.docx

Attachment A. Public Law 116-323 Link: PUBL323.PS (congress.gov) or https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ323/PLAW-116publ323.pdf

Attachment B. Landslide National Strategy for Landslide Loss Reduction Link: ofr20221075.pdf – National Strategy for Landslide Loss Reduction (usgs.gov) or https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2022/1075/ofr20221075.pdf

Attachment C. Guidance Criteria for FY 2026 Guidance Criteria for the USGS Cooperative Landslide Hazard Mapping and Assessment Program The National Landslide Preparedness Act established the National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program to address four goals:

1. Identify and understand landslide hazards and risks:

2. Reduce losses from landslides;

3. Protect communities susceptible to landslide hazards; and

4. Help improve communication and emergency preparedness, including by coordinating with communities and entities responsible for infrastructure that are exposed to landslide hazards.

To meet these four goals, the National Strategy for Landslide Loss Reduction (hereafter the “Strategy”) was written in coordination with a Federal interagency working group, identifying specific goals and strategic actions applicable to all levels of government. In consideration of the four goals above and the goals and strategic actions identified in the Strategy, the following Guidance Criteria (GC) have been articulated for Risk Reduction Proposals associated with the Cooperative Landslide Hazard Mapping and Assessment Program and are described in detail below:

GC1. Landslide hazard mapping and assessment GC2. Planning and coordination GC3. Education and outreach

In addition, for FY2026 a fourth Guidance Criteria has been included focused on landslide hazards in Alaska and is designated GC4.

GC4. Landslide hazards in Alaska

Proposals submitted to this grant program must address at least one of the Guidance Criteria (GC1, GC2, GC3, GC4). This document summarizes some of the relevant goals and strategic actions discussed above; the USGS invites those submitting a proposal to also review the National Landslide Preparedness Act and the Strategy (Attachment A and Attachment B, respectively) to improve their proposal alignment. The identified Guidance Criteria are not an exhaustive list of all potential proposal topics, nor intended to discourage submission of proposals to accomplish other important landslide risk reduction tasks. PIs are encouraged to reach out to USGS Project Officer to discuss potential topics. Note that ‘landslide’ is an inclusive term that includes all types of mass wasting processes, including and not limited to rockfall, debris avalanches, earthflows, debris flows, postfire debris flows, etc.

Guidance Criteria GC1: Landslide hazard mapping and assessments Characterizing societal risk from landslides is an interdisciplinary endeavor that requires data collection and analysis in collaboration and coordination with local, Tribal, state, territorial, and federal agencies, as well as input from susceptible communities, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector. Key to the effectiveness of this work in reducing landslide losses is the development of better landslide hazard mapping and assessments. The hazard assessments can then be used to inform vulnerability and risk-assessment activities, which can in turn help identify where more-detailed hazard assessments and improved monitoring are needed to reduce the uncertainty of where, when, and why landslides could occur. These maps and assessments, combined with place-based sociological research, can also help focus outreach and communications about landslide risk reduction and preparedness. NOTE: for ANY mapping project, please provide a map of the proposed mapping area and note the size of the area to be mapped in square miles. Specific protocols, methods, tools, and processes to be used for project work must be articulated for projects that involve mapping landslides, susceptibility, risk, or other spatial analysis.

Risk Reduction Proposal topics may include:

· Landslide hazard mapping following an established protocol and using a lidar (3DEP) DEM base map. Hazard mapping may include landslide inventory, susceptibility, runout, exposure, and risk modeling for a region, municipality, or other defined area within the applicant’s jurisdictional responsibility.

· Postfire debris flow hazard mapping such as alluvial/debris fan mapping, pre-fire hazard maps, historic postfire debris flow mapping, and other related products.

· Landslide event database creation that describes spatial and temporal information related to storm events, earthquakes, or other regional landslide events. Data collected may include landslide timing, precise location, land use, damage estimates, losses, or other influences to improve the collective understanding of the impact that landslides have on people, the built environment, and ecosystem services.

· Assessments to improve our understanding of landslide behavior, including where landslides will initiate and where debris could travel after an event.

· A study of the influence of land use and land management practices on landslide likelihood and magnitude.

· Development of best practices and tools for landslide mapping in collaboration and coordination with state, Tribal, territorial, Federal, and local governments.

· Collecting and analyzing loss data from landslides.

· Other topics relevant to this Guidance Criteria.

Note that for any mapping efforts that require topographic data, applicants are strongly encouraged to use lidar DEMs (e.g., data from the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP)) and to describe their usage in their proposals. It is strongly encouraged that if a proposal includes requested funding for lidar collection, the PI email the USGS 3DEP program to inquire on planned lidar collections and whether your area of interest may already be part of a planned lidar collection. Please contact 3DEP@usgs.gov and include a summary of your conversation in your proposal.

Guidance Criteria GC2: Landslide planning and coordination Reducing landslide losses requires strategies for improved preparedness and mitigation, and for expanded regional-local capacity to respond to and recover from landslides that impact communities, infrastructure, and other equities. Improving preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery requires planning, collaboration, and coordination across Federal agencies; state, Tribal, territorial, and local governments; academia; private industry; and nongovernmental and community organizations. Guidance Criteria 2 seeks to fund projects aimed at improving planning and coordination among research, private industry, land management, and emergency management communities, as well as across various levels of government to ensure that the right information is in the right hands at the right time.

Efforts to improve planning and coordination may include: workforce development through professional training, improved event messaging and evacuation planning, network linkages between landslide hazard science entities and operational entities responsible for providing watches and warnings, and assessment and improvement of communication strategies. Formalizing roles and responsibilities for landslide response and research, as well as increasing coordination, will streamline landslide hazard responses and can result in improved short- and long-term outcomes to protect lives, property, infrastructure, and the environment.

Proposal topics may include:

· Development of landslide (including postfire debris flow) emergency and technical response protocols, roles and responsibilities, procedures, products, and trainings to address local landslide emergencies. Partners may include emergency, land, and infrastructure managers, and others.

· Development, coordination, and facilitation of a landslide (including postfire debris flow) working group that shares best practices and lessons learned for effective landslide outreach, preparedness planning, education, land use practices, and other areas of landslide risk reduction and consisting of landslide experts and emergency, land, and transportation managers, planners, and others.

· Other topics relevant to this Guidance Criteria.

Guidance Criteria GC3: Landslide education, engagement, and outreach The production of information on landslides and related hazards alone is not sufficient to reduce landslide risk and losses. Stakeholder buy-in is a critical step in information acceptance, adoption, and use. Active engagement with the user community in the development, application and interpretation of landslide hazard information is needed for effective risk reduction. Ensuring comprehension of landslide risk reduction products by decision makers at all levels is crucial to reduce landslide losses.

For the best available scientific information to be used, it must be delivered in a manner that is tailored to the scale and intent of the decisions and actions of its users. Effective loss reduction also requires education and training for people and communities, for land managers, and for other entities exposed to landslide hazards. Incorporating landslide hazard information into all-hazards planning efforts enables land managers and communities to: (a) address exposure of existing and future assets to landslide risk; (b) mitigate potential losses to the built environment, natural and cultural resources, and habitats that may be in these areas; and (c) respond and recover in ways that reduce the long-term effects of landslides.

Proposal topics may include:

· Development of materials promoting landslide (such as postfire debris flow) education, outreach, and engagement to the public.

· Provide collaborative engagement opportunities (workshops, trainings, etc.) for specialists and practitioners that facilitate addressing important challenges, such as: landslide hazard mitigation, response, preparedness, resilience, or similar.

· Advance coordination of messaging across multiple agencies by examining resources for education, crowdsourcing, and emergency management tools, for disseminating landslide information, landslide hazard products, and landslide emergency response.

· Engage user communities to assess the efficacy of existing landslide products and elicit their suggestions for improvements and new products.

· Develop new tools and products for increasing awareness of landslide hazards within the public and targeted user groups, such as emergency responders, public utilities, risk managers, decision makers, developers, and engineers.

· Develop approaches for providing landslide hazard information needed for risk assessments, and landslide mitigation and response planning to decision makers, emergency responders, and the public, particularly that cross local, state, Tribal, and territorial boundaries, and various levels of government.

· Develop landslide preparedness curricula and training modules for the public and for government officials including utility workers, planners and emergency, land, resources, and infrastructure.

· Other topics relevant to this Guidance Criteria.

Guidance Criteria GC4: Landslide hazards in Alaska Alaska's steep terrain, complex geology, and dynamic climate render the state particularly vulnerable to frequent landslides. The cascading nature of geohazards further amplifies risk. For instance, large earthquakes, which are common in Alaska, can trigger landslides across vast regions. Landslides occurring on steep slopes adjacent to Alaska's extensive coastline or abundant large lakes can generate regionally significant tsunamis. Remoteness, challenging travel conditions, and limited communication further complicate efforts to mitigate risks and losses associated with landslides.

We invite innovative and scientifically robust proposals aimed at reducing landslide risk in the distinctive landscapes, climate, communities, and cultures of Alaska. Proposals should address one or more of the following areas:

· Fundamental research that enhances our understanding of landslide initiation during prolonged or intense precipitation, periods of glacial recession or permafrost degradation, or in response to intense ground shaking.

· Development of innovative geospatial products that improve our capacity to convey landslide hazard and risk to the public, emergency managers, and first responders.

· Communication strategies that enhance how landslide scientists convey uncertainties regarding landslide occurrence forecasting, spatial hazard mapping, and when supporting the implementation of risk reduction strategies, such as issuing warnings or evacuation orders.

Attachment D. Application Instructions and Template The following attachment describes the additional components needed for a grant application. It is required that you follow this format when preparing your application. There are four main sections of the application:

A) Project Narrative B) Project Narrative Supporting Documentation C) Detailed Budget Narrative/Budget Summary Table D) Additional Information

A) Project Narrative. Applicant guidance: The Project Narrative is where you provide a detailed description of your proposed project. Please follow the directions and guidance closely. When writing this section, keep in mind that your audience will be knowledgeable about landslide science but may not be familiar with the specific topic of your proposal. Therefore, it's essential to clearly explain what you are doing, how you plan to do it, the tools and methods you will use, the expected outcomes, and who will benefit from your work. Focus on being concise while ensuring that your audience fully understands the proposal. Use clear language and avoid jargon or explain any technical terms as necessary. Remember, the goal is to communicate the significance and impact of your project effectively.

Please adhere to these formatting rules:

· Number all pages.

· All text, figures, and tables shall be sized to fit on 8½" by 11" paper and font size shall not be smaller than 11 points.

· Sections D through F will be combined into a single PDF or Microsoft Word document, in the order noted below.

· The Project Narrative (Section D) may not exceed 15-pages, including supplemental figures, tables, references, appendices, etc.

1) Proposal Information Summary: Use the format below for the required grants.gov Proposal Information Summary. Please delete all blue text.

2) Project Abstract Summary: This summary is required for proposals submitted through Grants.gov and must include the information below. The Project Abstract Summary cannot exceed 4000 characters. Note that upon issuance of an awarded grant, the Project Abstract Summary will be publicly available at USAspending.gov. The Project Abstract Summary must contain the following information:

· Project Title: Include Project Title from Proposal Information Summary, Block 1

· Project Period: Include start and end date (ex. 05/01/2026 – 04/30/2027)

· Purpose: Include a plain language description of Award purpose (avoid acronyms or Federal or agency-specific terminology

· Activities: Describe activities to be performed under proposed project

· Deliverables and Outcomes: List proposed project deliverables and the expected outcomes of this work

· Intended Beneficiary(ies): Detail communities, agencies, priorities, etc. that will benefit from the expected outcomes

· Subrecipient activities (e.g., sub-contractors), if known

3) Table of Contents: A list that outlines the main components of the proposal.

4) Significance of the Project: Discuss the specific problem that the project aims to address and explain why it is important. Describe how the project will contribute to one or more of the Guidance Criteria outlined in Attachment C. This description is essential and should clearly highlight the significance of the project and its potential impacts.

5) Project Plan: In the context of the Guidance Criteria and the problem this proposed work aims to address, please discuss the following:

· Specific Activities: Describe the activities that will be carried out to accomplish the goals and objectives of the project. Please use sufficient detail to help the review panel understand the steps needed to accomplish the activities. If there are multiple activities proposed (such as building a landslide inventory map and then a susceptibility map) clearly state the work associated with each activity and who will do the work. Note that if the peer review panel does not recommend all the activities proposed, a portion or the entire proposal may be denied funding. If a portion is denied funding, the scope of work, budget, and other areas of the proposal must be modified according to recommendations by OAG and LHPO to receive funds.

· Data Collection and Analysis Plans: Explain how data will be collected and analyzed throughout the project. Build in time for data analysis and interpretation, as well as a plan for dissemination.

· Relationship to Past Studies: Discuss how this proposed study relates to previous related projects in the region and on the topic.

· Responsibility and Level of Effort: For each year of the proposed project, describe the time allocations, responsibilities of project staff members, and the level of effort required. Project leaders should not be overcommitted in their estimated workload as this poses a risk to the proposed work. Articulate a timeline and plan for how any proposed new workers will be hired, trained, and prepared to contribute during the project period.

· Project Milestones and Due Dates: Include key milestones and deadlines for the proposed work and required reports. Clearly link the expected findings, products, or other deliverables to the activities, models, and data collection methods proposed. Briefly explain how these results will meet the Guidance Criteria. Please note that part of the Final Technical Report is monitoring and evaluation questions to help us assess the effectiveness of our Guidance Criteria, identify areas of improvement, and ensure that we are meeting our program goals and objectives. So please review the monitoring and evaluation questions in the Final Technical Report Template (Attachment F).

· Sustainability and Transferability: Proposal should articulate how the work will be sustained and built upon beyond the project period. This includes outlining specific plans for ongoing support, such as finding more funding, working with partners, or incorporating successful practices into existing programs. Additionally, if relevant, the proposal should describe how the results of the project can be applied in other areas or by different groups. The goal is to ensure that the benefits of the project last over time. By clearly outlining how the project will be sustained and its outcomes shared, the proposal will demonstrate its long-term value and impact.

· Dissemination of Results: Grant recipients of projects that create products related to landslide hazard mapping and assessments (e.g. hazard maps, databases of events, landslide studies, and data collection) are strongly encouraged to publish their results in a peer-reviewed journal or an internal peer-review process for publication. However, scientific or technical journal publication does NOT count for the requirements of a Final Technical Report or Data Management Plan. Additionally, all data products and computer codes must be made available to the public

· Project-specific considerations to address:

(a) Mapping/Inventorying Areas and Methods: If proposing a mapping project such as inventory, susceptibility, risk, or runout, you must:

(i) Indicate which protocol you plan to use to complete the work. If you are using an unpublished protocol that may be internal to your organization, please describe that process including the methods and data to be collected and reference any previous studies using the protocol. If proposing to use an experimental process for mapping, please describe how and why that process was selected, especially if established processes already exist.

(ii) Include a map that clearly shows the proposed area to be mapped, along with the total square miles to be mapped. Please provide a breakdown of the area by classification, detailing the acres or square miles of private, state, Tribal, and federal lands within the proposed mapping area.

(b) Communication and Engagement: If communication, stakeholder engagement, or product assessment is involved, specific expertise is expected on the project team (e.g., social scientist, communication specialist)

(c) Work with Human Subjects: For projects where data is collected from human subjects (e.g., surveys, interviews) with plans for publication or public dissemination, the proposal must include a commentary indicating whether an Institutional Review Board (IRB) process is needed. If an IRB process is needed, describe the timeline and outcome of the process.

(d) Two-year proposals: Applicants should be sure to address the stipulations for two-year proposals. Describe why the project requires two years to complete and why the project cannot be divided into two, one-year proposals.

6) Related Efforts: Please describe important studies that the project team members have conducted and explain how they plan to work with other professionals in the field. Please review any ongoing landslide risk reduction efforts by state or regional agencies such as state geological survey mapping and inventory efforts. Include details about any current or recent USGS/LHP External Support grants, cooperative agreements, or Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) agreements. Discuss how these relate to this proposal, if applicable, and share any relevant results from past grants, cooperative agreements, or IPAs.

7) Institutional Qualifications: Please describe the resources that the institution has and the relevant experience it offers. Resources can include staff, computers, and connections to data sources as well as potential users of the results.

8) Current Support and Pending Applications: Please list all sources of support that the main personnel have committed some of their time to during the period of this proposed work. This should account for 100% of each PIs and co-PIs work time and include the following details: titles of the projects, annual budget amounts, the duration of the awards, and the number of person-months committed for each project. Additionally, this section should include any projects or research that are being considered for submission to other potential sponsors. If similar work is also being proposed to another institution (like the Federal Emergency Management Agency), please explain how that work relates to this proposal.

9) Past USGS-Supported Projects: Please provide the total amount of funding received each year from the USGS for previous work related to this proposal. Include the duration of each award (including any no-cost extensions) and the total number of person-months that each PI and co-PI committed each year.

10) Current or Past Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Appointments Work: In this section, please list any IPA Assignments that the PI, co-PIs, or anyone on the Project Team has had or currently has with the USGS in the last 5 years. Include a description of the work completed during the appointment.

11) References/Works Cited: List any references cited in your proposal.

THIS CONCLUDES THE PROJECT NARRATIVE 15-PAGE LIMIT

CONTINUE TO THE NEXT PAGE FOR THE

REMAINING SECTIONS OF THE APPLICATION

B) Project Narrative Supporting Documentation.

Applicant guidance: This section contains supporting documentation to the Project Narrative. This section and all following sections do not count against the 15-page maximum of the Project Narrative.

1) Project Personnel and Bibliography of Directly Related Work: Please provide a curriculum vitae (CV) for all professional staff involved in the project. The CV should not be longer than 2 pages and should summarize their education, experience, and any relevant publications from the last five years related to the proposed work. If there are non-principal investigators (non-PIs) who will make significant contributions to the project, their CVs should also be included.

2) Letters of Support: Letters of Support are useful for all proposals that include coordination with or participation by landslide scientists/researchers at institutions other than those submitting the proposal. Letters of support from potential stakeholders such as government officials (state geological surveys, transportation managers, Tribal leaders, planners, emergency mangers, land managers, etc.) show buy-in from those that may benefit from proposed products.

C) Detailed Budget Narrative and Budget Summary Table.

Applicant Guidance: The Detailed Budget Narrative should explain and justify all proposed costs. Please provide unit costs for all budget items, including any work to be done by contractors or subrecipients. The Detailed Budget Narrative should also include any non-federal funds proposed as a “match,” if applicable. Make sure that the cost categories in the Detailed Budget Narrative align with those in the SF-424A and the Budget Summary Table, including categories salary, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, contracts, other direct costs, and indirect costs.

The Budget Summary Table is required as part of the Detailed Budget Narrative. The table must clearly outline all expenses with their corresponding rates and should directly match the amounts proposed in the submitted SF-424A. The Budget Summary Table should be the first page of the Detailed Budget Narrative followed by the twelve components described below.

Blue text indicates items that must be changed prior to proposal submission. Please delete all blue text before submission. Note that green boxes with the numbered headings correspond to the same sections in the Detailed Budget Narrative and the Budget Summary Table.

Applicants must describe and justify items and costs listed in their budget. The budget narrative must identify the following cost items: total estimated costs, non-Federal cost share, third-party contributions, and any pre-award costs. Total project cost is the sum of all allowable costs, including required and voluntary cost share and third-party contributions.

Budget items must be:

· Reasonable, allowable, allocable, and necessary

· Compliant with 2 CFR §200 Subpart E cost principles Indirect Costs: Applicants must indicate in their budget narrative how they will charge indirect costs, including the rate to be applied:

· De Minimis Rate: If eligible, state if your organization is opting to use the de minimis rate of up to 15% of total modified direct costs. Entities that do not have a current Federal negotiated indirect cost rate (including provisional rate) may propose to use the de minimis rate. For more information, refer to 2 CFR 200.414(f).

· Negotiated Rate: State if you will negotiate with your cognizant agency. If your organization has previously negotiated a rate, attach a copy of the most recently negotiated rate agreement (active or expired).

Budget Summary Table

1) Salaries and wages

2) Fringe benefits/labor overhead

3) Travel

4) Equipment

5) Supplies

6) Contracts and sub-awards

7) Other Direct Costs

1) Salaries and wages: Please provide the following information for each individual involved in the project:

· Names: First and last name.

· Positions: Job title and affiliation.

· Number of Hours: Specify the number of hours each individual will spend on various project activities.

· Rates of Compensation: Hourly rate of pay for each individual/role.

· Project Roles: Describe the specific role for each individual involved in the project.

· Only include personnel who are actively involved in the project. If senior management salaries or time are covered by the overhead (indirect cost) portion of the budget, do not include them in this section. However, if senior management personnel will participate in project work, please explain their roles. Additionally, report any salary for services or consultants or subrecipients in section 6 below.

· Salaries or wages for student assistants (both undergraduate and graduate) working on the project are acceptable costs. Tuition remission and other forms of compensation paid to students for necessary work are also allowable, if these payments are reasonable for the work performed and are explicitly tied to the completion of that work. Be sure to identify any tuition and/or tuition remission in this section of the budget.

· If a position is currently vacant, please indicate the position title, outline the criteria necessary to fill the position (for example: indicate if landslide mapping experience needed, a geologist license needed, a geology degree is required, etc.) and provide a timeline for hiring and training a new employee. Note that unfilled positions cannot be counted as match.

2) Fringe benefits/labor overhead: Please indicate the rates and amounts in accordance with standard accounting procedures. Explain what specific costs are included in this category and how the rates were calculated. Additionally, clarify whether these rates are intended for proposal purposes only or if they are fixed or provisional rates that will be used for billing.

3) Travel: Please provide a description of the proposed travel for the project, including an itemized estimate of travel costs. This should include the following details:

· Number of People: How many individuals will be traveling?

· Number of Travel Days: How many days will the travel last?

· Per Diem Rate: What is the daily allowance for meals and incidentals?

· Lodging Rate: What is the cost per night for accommodations?

· Mileage Rate: If applicable, what is the rate for mileage reimbursement?

· Airfare or Other Transportation: What are the costs for flights or other forms of transportation?

· Other Travel Costs: Include any additional travel-related expenses. For Conference/Workshop Travel: Travel expenses for staff to attend scientific conferences, workshops, or relevant training are allowable, with a maximum limit of $6,000. Please identify the staff member(s) who will attend and provide a detailed breakdown of all costs associated with conference or workshop travel. Note that requests for conference travel funds for contractors are not permitted.

4) Equipment: Please list the cost of all equipment necessary to achieve the objectives of the project. "Equipment" refers to items that have a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of $10,000 or more per item. Each piece of equipment should be itemized and include the following:

· Full Justification: Explain why each item is necessary for the project.

· Dealer or Manufacturer Quote: Provide a quote from a dealer or manufacturer for each item.

Please note that the title to any non-expendable personal property will be held solely by the Recipient. Under no circumstances will the title to this property be transferred to a sub-recipient.

5) Supplies: Please list the costs for office, field, and laboratory supplies. Each item should be itemized, including the quantity and cost for each individual item. Avoid providing a lump sum for each category; instead, provide a detailed breakdown that clearly shows how the costs were calculated.

6) Contracts and sub-awards: Please identify the proposed contractors for the project and provide the following information:

i) Selection Criteria: Explain the criteria used to select these contractors or how they have already been selected.

ii) Estimated Time Required: Indicate the estimated amount of time each contractor will need to complete their work.

iii) Quoted Rate: Provide the quoted rate per day or hour for each contractor.

(1) Additionally, include a breakdown of all costs associated with the contractors.

(2) For sub-awards, list them as a single line item in this category (row 6). Then for each sub-awardee, produce a separate Detailed Budget Narrative and Budget Summary Table that provides the same level of detail as described in this section. This is required for each sub-award and should be attached to the main recipient’s proposal.

7) Other direct costs: Please itemize the different types of costs that are not included elsewhere in the budget, such as:

i) Shipping Costs

ii) Publication Costs

iii) Computing Costs

iv) Equipment-Use Charges

v) For each type of cost, provide a detailed breakdown that shows how the cost was estimated. This should include any calculations or assumptions made to arrive at the estimated amounts.

8) Total direct costs: Total items 1 through 7.

9) Indirect cost/General and Administrative (G&A) cost: Please provide the proposed indirect cost rate and the corresponding amount. Proposals must include a copy of the negotiated indirect cost rate agreement. Ensure that indirect charges are applied only to those direct cost items that are allowable under the terms of the negotiated cost rate agreement.

(1) Please note that if there is no negotiated cost agreement in place, the maximum indirect rate that may be charged is 15%, as stated in Section 200.414(f) of the Uniform Administrative Requirements.

10) Total Federal Amount Proposed: Total items 8 and 9.

11) Applicant’s contribution (i.e., Cost share/Match) to Project Cost: In this section, please describe all non-federal matching funds that will be contributed to the project and provide the total sum of these funds.

12) Total Project Cost: Total items 10 and 11.

D) Additional Information

Applicant guidance: This section contains supporting documentation and information required for all federal grants.

1) Conflicts of Interest: For the primary personnel, please indicate if there are any actual or potential conflicts of interest at the time of submission, as outlined in 2 CFR §1402.112. Please review the link and indicate if there are any conflicts of interest.

2) Data Management Plan (DMP): Proposals submitted to the USGS must include a supplementary document titled “Data Management Plan” (DMP), which should not exceed four pages. The DMP should describe how your proposal will comply with USGS policies regarding the dissemination and sharing of results and associated data. A valid DMP may state that no detailed plan is necessary, such as: “No data are expected to be produced from this project,” but it must include a clear justification for this statement. Please use the template below.

No ☐ If yes, where is the existing data hosted/stored currently? (Paper files, Excel spreadsheets, custom database, etc.)

No ☐ If yes, where did the existing dataset(s) come from?

No ☐ If yes, what file format will be used to collect the new data? (Paper files, web forms, PDF forms, etc.)

No ☐ If yes, describe the limitations, including proprietary or sensitive data elements, etc.

No ☐ If yes: Where are the data made available? Describe how any proprietary/sensitive data is handled. Are any fees associated with release of the data? What data format is the data released in? Is associated metadata made available, and if so what format?

No ☐ If yes: Where will the data be available? Describe how any proprietary/sensitive data will be handled. Will any fees be associated with release of the data? What data format will the data be released in? Will associated metadata be made available, and if so, what format will be used?

No ☐ If yes, list software.

Describe the approach for backup of all data associated with this project.

Describe quality assurance and/or quality control procedures that are associated with data collection and processing.

3) Geospatial Requirements: If you receive financial assistance from the Department of the Interior (DOI), recipient must follow these rules for geospatial data:

· Follow Federal Standards: All geospatial data you collect or create must meet the standards set by the Federal Geospatial Data Committee (FGDC) or the Department of the Interior. This is required by the Geospatial Data Act of 2018, which is part of Public Law 115-254, specifically in Subtitle F (Geospatial Data), sections 751-759C (codified at 43 U.S.C. §§ 2801–2811).

· Include Metadata: Your Geographic Information Systems (GIS) files must include complete metadata. Metadata is information that describes the data, such as where it came from, how accurate it is, and how it should be used. This is to ensure that anyone using the data understands its context and quality.

· Check for Existing Data: Before you start collecting new geospatial data, you need to check GeoPlatform.gov. This is to see if there is already existing geospatial data from federal, state, local, or private sources that can meet your needs and is available for free. If such data is available, you should use it instead of gathering new data.

· These rules help ensure that geospatial data is reliable, high-quality, and that resources are used efficiently.

4) Single Audit Reporting Statement. All U.S. states, local governments, federally recognized Indian Tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations expending $1,000,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in the applicant's fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse's Internet Data Entry System. U.S. state, local government, federally recognized Indian tribal government, and non-profit applicants must state if your organization was or was not required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year. If your organization was required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year, provide the EIN associated with that report and state if it is available through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse website.

5) Certification Regarding Lobbying: Applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funding must certify to the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying. Please note that the Authorized Official's signature on Standard Form 424 (SF-424), which is part of the application process, represents the entity's certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A.

6) Disclosure of Lobbying Activities: Applicants and recipients cannot use federal funds, whether they are annual appropriations or matching funds, to pay anyone for lobbying related to their award. Lobbying means trying to influence government officials, including members of Congress, regarding the award. If the federal portion of the proposal or award is over $100,000 and the applicant or recipient has made or plans to make any payments for lobbying with non-federal funds, they must fill out and submit the SF-LLL form, "Disclosure of Lobbying Activities." This form can be found with the Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. For more details on when to submit this form, refer to 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 and 31 USC 1352.

7) Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement: Applicants must state in their application if the activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel proposed in this application overlap with those in any other Federal proposal or award or not. If no overlap exists, include a statement to that effect. If any overlap exists, provide:

· Activities: Description any overlapping activities.

· Costs: Description of any overlapping costs.

· Time: Description of any overlapping key personnel time.

· A copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity.

· Details on when any overlapping proposal was submitted, to whom, and the expected date of the funding decision.

END OF ATTACHMENT D: APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND TEMPLATE

Attachment E. Annual Progress Report Template

USE FOR MULTI-YEAR PROJECTS ONLY

Blue text signifies items that must be changed prior to proposal submission.

Please delete all blue text before submission.

This report will be published at:

https://www.usgs.gov/programs/landslide-hazards/science/external-grants-overview

For multi-year projects a Progress Report shall document and summarize the progress of Recipient’s work. The Progress Report will follow the report template, below and will include the following:

· A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives of the Cooperative Landslide Hazard Mapping and Assessment Program Announcement established for the year and overall progress in response to the performance metrics.

· The reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate.

· Additional pertinent information including, when appropriate, analysis and explanation of cost overruns or high unit costs.

· An outline of anticipated activities and adjustments to the program during the next year.

Award Number: XXXXXXX

Title: For collaborative projects the title should be in the form: "Title: Collaborative Research with First Institution name and Second Institution name Author(s) and Affiliation(s) with Address and zip code Author's Telephone numbers and email address Term covered by the award (start and end dates)

Acknowledgement of Support: This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Geological Survey under Grant No. XXXXXXXX

Disclaimer: The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Geological Survey. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey

Abstract Include a short summary of your efforts, to date.

Goals and Objectives List the goals and objectives for this grant as stated in the Project Narrative.

Guidance Criteria Funded List the Guidance Criteria addressed in this proposal.

Accomplishments to date Describe the overall progress made through this grant activity by summarizing performance metrics, such as project accomplishments and results or findings to date. Your response should be aggregated, not year-by-year or task-by-task. Please link your performance metrics to the Guidance Criteria associated with this grant. Include a description of activities carried out through this grant work and supplement your description with visuals such as tables, graphs, diagrams, and/or sketches where appropriate. These metrics will enable documentation of the broad results and impacts of the Cooperative Landslide Hazard Mapping and Assessment Grant Program, which are critical for assessment and potential continuity and growth of the program. Please strive to provide quantifiable metrics that connect to the overall goals of the program (e.g. Guidance Criteria). The following questions are provided to help guide your summary. Please address those that are relevant to your project:

· Population in area mapped and total area mapped

· Number of landslides mapped

· Number of previously mapped landslides removed from inventory or changed due to improved mapping tools and techniques.

· Map adoption status (for example by government agencies and/or other decision-making organizations?) Which organizations have adopted the maps?

· Map published on publicly available website? Website analytics available?

· Map discussed with key stakeholders? Categories of key stakeholders?

· Number of educational and/or outreach documents developed, printed, and distributed

· Number of workshops or trainings held

· Number of people attending a training, workshop, short course, etc.

· Categories of key stakeholders at meetings? Types of expertise represented?

· Number of videos produced and average views per month

· Social media analytics

· Has there been a social science study investigating baseline public perception/attitude/understanding of landslide hazards?

· Have any policies been changed due to changes in landslide hazards information facilitated by this grant work?

· How many positions were created or filled with this grant?

· How many early career (early career: received a degree in geology or related science within the past six years) staff were trained. What are their position titles?

· Were people hired with this grant outside the granting agency (for example at public works, planning offices)

· Were mentorships or internships provided with this funding? If so, how many?

· Were any publications (for example: scientific papers, posters, geological survey reports) developed through this grant work? If so, please list the number of them and the complete references?

Examples:

· Guidance Criteria 1: Mapped 358 landslides in Adams County (29 square mile mapping area, population 3,400) and published the data on our Geohazards data portal, which is available to the public (link). Met with county staff (3 planners, 2 emergency managers, and 2 from public works) to teach them about the mapping products and how they can be used. Held one community meeting at the town hall for the public (28 in attendance) interested in the mapping results.

· Guidance Criteria 2: coordinated with 3 Adams County emergency managers in the development of landslide emergency protocols and emergency management plans. Met with 5 County planners to develop land use codes that reflect landslide hazards in the county.

· Guidance Criteria 3: developed an 8-page Homeowners Guide to Landslides that can be changed to meet the needs of communities and their relevant landslide hazards. Printed 10,000 copies and distributed to 5,000 equally among 8 planning offices for distribution. Trained 2 undergraduate students in landslide mapping techniques. Provided landslide mapping position to one early career geoscientists through collaborative work with regional scientists and stakeholders and training of lidar-based mapping techniques. Pdf version of the guide is here: (link) Anticipated Results Describe all anticipated results beyond the accomplishments to date mentioned above. Note if the anticipated results are “As Planned”, “Changed”, or “No Longer Anticipated”. Describe any changes to the anticipated results or timeline of work compared to what was provided in your grant proposal. If you have any anticipated results documented in your grant proposal that will not be achieved over the next year, please clearly state those here and briefly describe why they are no longer anticipated.

Example: AS PLANNED: We planned to build a landslide hazards website hosting decision-support tools for Adams and Jefferson County. The website construction is underway and set to be completed and go live by the end of June 2026.

Example: CHANGED: We planned to hire 2 student interns to help with field work and work on populating the new website…