FY24 EDMAP Program Announcement.pdf

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

-- EDMAP --

The Educational Component of the

National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program

Re-authorized in 2022 by the Infrastructure and Jobs Investment Act

(Public Law 117-58, Section 40202: “National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program”)

PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT No. G24AS00077

For Fiscal Year 2024

ISSUE DATE: October 1, 2023

CLOSING DATE & TIME:

January 12, 2024 at 3:00 PM ET

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE ANNOUNCEMENT CAREFULLY AND NOTE ANY

CHANGES

Paperwork Reduction Act Approval – OMB control number 1028-0088; Expiration Date 10/31/2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents 2

List of Attachments 3

Program Announcement Changes 4

PART I. Public Law, Program Priorities, and Geologic Map Products 6

A. The National Geologic Mapping Act 6

B. EDMAP Component of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program 7

C. EDMAP Proposals 8

1. Types of EDMAP Proposals 8

D. Funding Request Limits 10

E. Geologic Map Products 11

PART II. Timetables, Eligibility, Format Instructions, and Proposal Evaluation 13

A. Timetables 14

B. Eligibility—Who May Submit a Proposal 14

C. Proposal Format Instructions 15

D. Proposal Evaluation 24

PART III. Proposal Delivery and Submission Instructions 26

PART IV. General Provisions 26

A. General Provisions of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program 26

B. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars 27

C. Rights in Technical Data 27

D. Publication 27

E. Funding 28

F. Project Deliverables 30

ATTACHMENT A: Mandatory EDMAP Proposal Cover Sheet 31

ATTACHMENT B: Proposed Total Budget and Proposed Individual Project Budget Sheets 33

ATTACHMENT C: Special Terms and Conditions 35

ATTACHMENT D: Contact Information for State Geological Surveys 57

ATTACHMENT E: Contact Information for NCGMP Project Leads 60

ATTACHMENT F: Current (FY2023) EDMAP Projects 62

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

Proposal Submission Forms and Instructions

A. Mandatory EDMAP Proposal Cover Sheet

B. Budget Sheets (Total Proposal and Individual Projects)

C. Special Terms and Conditions; Program and Financial Contact Information

D. State Geological Surveys - Contact Information

E. USGS Project Leads - Contact Information

F. Current (FY2023) EDMAP Projects

G. Forms required during and at the end of the project period (form is online only, not attached to this document)

SF-425 – Federal Financial Report (due at the end of project period and submitted electronically through GrantSolutions). This form is no longer attached but can be downloaded from: https://www.grants.gov/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html.

PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT CHANGES FOR FY2024

Given the extensive recent changes to the EDMAP Program Announcement, the

NCGMP will be available to answer any questions you may have. Please direct any questions to EDMAP@usgs.gov.

Part I, A, and throughout: Minor editorial changes have been made throughout the entire

Program Announcement.

Part I, A, and throughout: Opening and closing date of the Program Announcement have been updated to reflect FY2024 dates.

Part I, A, and throughout: Language has been added to the Program Announcement which discusses the U.S. Geological Survey’s trust responsibility to Tribal Nations and requirements to follow federal guidance regarding federally-funded research on, over, or near Tribal lands.

Part I, D, Funding Request Limits, and throughout: Primary Investigators (PI) may now request up to $45,000 for each graduate student primary mapper.

Part II, D, Proposal Evaluation: The Evaluation Criteria for EDMAP Proposals have been updated for FY2024. Please read this section carefully.

Part IV, E, Funding, and throughout: Emphasis has been placed on requirements for no cost extensions. As a reminder, no cost extensions cannot extend past a date 30 days in advance of the EDMAP Proposal Evaluation Panel meeting for the next funding cycle, or roughly

January 15 of the next year. Additionally, no cost extensions should not exceed 90 days. In rare circumstances where a PI needs a no cost extension beyond January 15 of the next year, the PI may be subject to penalty for any subsequent EDMAP Proposal submission.

Part IV, F, Project Deliverables, and throughout: Please note the EDMAP Program Officer has changed for FY2024. Contact information has also been updated. All EDMAP correspondence should be routed to EDMAP@usgs.gov.

Attachment A, Mandatory EDMAP Proposal Cover Sheet: Now required on the Mandatory

EDMAP Proposal Cover Sheet are Proposed Project Start Date, Proposed Project End Date, mailto:EDMAP@usgs.gov

Proposed Funding Request, Proposed Institution Match, and indication of whether or not the proposed study includes or is near Tribal lands.

Attachment D, Contact Information for State Geological Surveys: Information has been updated for FY2024.

Attachment E, Contact Information for USGS NCGMP Project Leads: Information has been updated for FY2024.

Attachment E, Current EDMAP Projects: Information has been updated for FY2023.

PART I. Public Law, Program Priorities, and Geologic Map Products

A. The National Geologic Mapping Act

The 102nd Congress recognized that the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the State

Geological Surveys needed a coordinated program to prioritize the geologic mapping requirements of the Nation, and to increase production of these geologic maps. The National

Geologic Mapping Act (Public Law 102-285) was signed into law in 1992 and created the

National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP). The Act has been re-authorized five times since then, most recently by the 117th Congress in 2022 (Infrastructure and Jobs

Investment Act P.L. 117-58, Section 40202). The Act recognizes that geologic maps are the primary database for virtually all applied and basic earth-science investigations.

The objectives of the NCGMP as outlined in the Act are to:

1. Determine the geologic framework of the Nation through the systematic development of geologic maps; such maps will contribute to the National Geologic Map Database

(NGMDB).

2. Develop complementary national databases (e.g., geophysical and palaeontologic databases) that provide value-added information to the NGMDB.

3. Apply cost-effective mapping techniques that assemble and disseminate geologic-map information, and that render such information of greater application and benefit to the public.

4. Develop public awareness of the role and application of geologic-map information to the resolution of national issues of land use management.

In 2021, NCGMP went through a process of renewing its vision and mission by developing a new strategic plan (see https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2021/1013/ofr20211013.pdf). The new strategic plan of the NCGMP is to create an integrated, two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) digital geologic map of the United States and its territories to address the changing needs of the Nation by the year 2030. The mission of the NCGMP is to characterize, interpret, and disseminate a national geologic framework model of Earth through geologic mapping and associated research; this research will support the responsible use of land, water, energy, and minerals and mitigate the impact of geologic hazards on society, thereby facilitating national security and economic growth through informed earth resource management.

The EDMAP Program continues to carry out the NCGMP mission and address Department of the Interior Secretarial priorities by training students in skills needed for geologic mapping.

Geologic mapping training supported by EDMAP provides the foundational capacity to capture the geologic framework information necessary to manage the land and water resources of the Nation, adapt to changes in the environment, and secure the Nation. Additionally, as

EDMAP projects may occur on or near Tribal lands, NCGMP directly supports the fulfillment of the federal trust responsibility to Tribal Nations, supporting Tribal sovereignty and science needs by integrating Tribal input on geologic mapping proposed by academic partners. In addition, EDMAP support helps to maintain strong academic geologic mapping programs, which in turn produce a healthier workforce at geological surveys throughout the Nation.

B. EDMAP Component of the NCGMP

The primary objective of the EDMAP component of the NCGMP is to train the next generation of geologic mappers. To do this, the NCGMP provides funds for undergraduate and graduate student research projects that involve all activities relevant to the creation of geologic maps (defined broadly as all maps that characterize the solid Earth and/or its constituents). Through these cooperative agreements, the NCGMP hopes to expand the research and educational capacity of national academic programs that teach Earth science students the broad range of techniques relevant to geologic mapping and the analysis of field, geophysical, borehole, and remote sensing data. As of 2023, EDMAP has funded more than

1,440 students from more than 173 universities.

To reflect the evolving skillsets required of geologic mappers, the onset of new technology in support of mapping, and new/emerging themes in geologic mapping, the FY2024 EDMAP

Program Announcement includes a set of funding opportunities represented as a separate category of Proposal, “Data Synthesis Projects.” This additional category was first introduced in FY2022 and continues this year. The NCGMP encourages submission of novel EDMAP Data Synthesis Project proposals that involve both training in skills relevant to the data modeling and synthesis needs of state-of-the-art geologic mappers, and training in field methods. Examples of potential Data Synthesis Projects are provided later in this

Program Announcement.

PLEASE NOTE: ALL EDMAP PROPOSALS – WHETHER FIELD-FOCUSED or

DATA SYNTHESIS – MUST INCLUDE THE GENERATION OF A GEOLOGIC MAP

(see definition above). Requirements to produce a Data Synthesis geologic map can be found in Part I, section E, “Geologic Map Products.”

To expand the range of institutions and individuals that can take part in EDMAP, amongst other reasons, the NCGMP acknowledges that inter-institutional collaboration may be desirable to complete FY2024 EDMAP projects. Parameters for such collaborative proposals are described in Part II, section B, “Eligibility.”

A list of funded FY2023 EDMAP projects can be found in Attachment F of this announcement.

For more information about the USGS NCGMP EDMAP program please visit: EDMAP | U.S.

Geological Survey (usgs.gov).

C. EDMAP Proposals

Proposals are to be submitted for a 12-month continuous project effort. Each proposal should show a 1:1 Federal/Institution funding match. Matching funds may include: (1) direct financial match in dollars to cover project expenses; (2) faculty (PI or non-PI) salary or student salary; (3) volunteer services by professional and technical personnel, consultants, or other skilled or unskilled labor if the services are an integral and necessary part of the project;

(4) purchased, rented, and/or donated property such as field supplies, laboratory supplies, or office supplies that are justified to support the project (the value of donated property must not exceed the fair market value of the property at the time of the donation); (5) field travel and field accommodations; and (6) sample preparation and sample analysis costs. Costs associated with travel to or registration for professional meetings may not be considered as matching funds. Also, Federal dollars or Federal donations may not be considered as matching funds.

Only one proposal will be accepted from an individual PI (Professor or faculty advisor), although more than one proposal can be accepted from a single institution if authored by different PIs. The PI is required to write and submit the proposal.

For FY2024, proposals must include a detailed cover sheet that outlines the features of the proposal, guidance criteria being addressed, deliverables, and mentored field experience (see “Mandatory EDMAP Proposal Cover Sheet” at the end of this Program

Announcement).

1. Types of EDMAP Proposals

Each Proposed EDMAP Project must fall into one of two categories:

a. Field-Focused Projects https://www.usgs.gov/programs/national-cooperative-geologic-mapping-program/science/edmap-0 https://www.usgs.gov/programs/national-cooperative-geologic-mapping-program/science/edmap-0

Field-Focused Projects are those that generate a geologic map, displaying specific geological strata or rock units, based on extensive mentored field mapping. The primary emphasis of Field-Focused Projects must be on student mapping in the field, as has been expected through previous EDMAP Program Announcements. In the case of a Field-Focused Project, a map showing the 2D geologic framework must be produced and delivered to the NCGMP.

b. Data Synthesis Projects

Data Synthesis Projects are those that incorporate emerging geologic mapping skills and field experiences to support the evolving need for broadly defined geologic mapping now and in the future. Such projects must generate a geologic map (defined broadly as any map that characterizes the solid Earth and/or its constituents) by using computational tools or other innovative technologies, such as machine learning, smartphone applications, modeling, remote sensing, drones, etc. (e.g., using machine learning to classify rock types based on remote sensing data).

Data Synthesis Projects could also collect new data, analyze preexisting data, or resolve anomalies in existing datasets so data can be geospatially merged (e.g., mapping critical minerals or hazardous wastes in soils in an urban environment to address specific sources of contamination in runoff), and ultimately produce a geologic map (as defined above). This map must address a scientific or mapping methods problem and must be based on Earth science data. Examples include a map of the physical characteristics or structure of an aquifer to help inform changing groundwater quality, a map generated using remotely sensed data, or map that predicts lithologies and/or structure across a region.

Given the needs of modern geologic mapping, such as digitizing existing paper maps and converting digital maps to the USGS Geologic Map Schema (GeMS) standard schema, the activities proposed under a Data Synthesis Project can take many forms; however, the goal must be training students in geologic mapping in order to qualify for EDMAP funding. These activities may include the development of targeted geographic information system (GIS) and/or modeling skills needed for 3-dimensional mapping, the development of digital applications to assist field mapping, the extraction and processing of data relevant to geologic mapping from third party datasets, and retroactively generating standards-compliant data from legacy mapping products. However, the major focus of a Data

Synthesis Project, and the way the deliverables will document student learning related to geologic mapping, must be clearly described in the proposal. All deliverables that document these outcomes must be identified on the “Mandatory

EDMAP Proposal Cover Sheet.”

All EDMAP proposals must include a mentored field experience focusing on aspects of geologic mapping (for additional information, please contact the EDMAP Program Officer).

However, the field experience may be different if proposing a Data Synthesis Project. For example, the mentored field experience could be a guided field trip along transects aimed at understanding regional geology across a province. A proposed project would be considered eligible for Data Synthesis Project funding so long as the student learns skills that enable the creation of maps or spatially referenced models that are relevant to Earth science, and ultimately produces a geologic map. The proposed mentored field experience for Data

Synthesis Projects must be identified within the proposal and also on the “Mandatory EDMAP

Proposal Cover Sheet.”

All proposals must inform and coordinate with the State Geological Survey in the state of the proposed study site. If a proposed study site does not have a State Geological Survey, then please inform and coordinate with a USGS Project Lead that is funded by the National

Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (to obtain contact information for State Geological

Surveys, see Attachment D or visit: http://www.stategeologists.org/; to obtain contact information for NCGMP-funded USGS Project Leads, see Attachment E). A written letter of acknowledgement or support from the State Geologist of the proposed study site (or a USGS

Project Lead if the study site does not have a State Geologist) must accompany all proposals

(see proposal criteria Coordination below, p. 23). As part of this coordination and planning process, the method of eventual geologic map publication should be discussed very early in the planning process. However, receiving EDMAP funds does not constitute a guaranteed publication of any map.

D. Funding Request Limits

EDMAP allows funding requests of up to $45,000 for each graduate student primary mapper/analyst and up to $25,000 for each undergraduate primary mapper/analyst per year

A primary mapper/analyst is defined as the lead student on an individual project; this person is responsible for producing the first-authored geologic map required at the end of the project.

Assistant geologic mappers/analysts are encouraged, but costs for assistants are included in the overall request per primary mapper/analyst (for example, for one undergraduate primary mapper/analyst and two field assistants, the total request is still limited to $25,000). A proposal may request funding for multiple primary mappers/analysts (for example, one undergraduate primary mapper and one graduate primary mapper for a total request not to exceed $70,000), however, each primary mapper/analyst is responsible for a separate first-authored map, and two deliverable maps are required in this case. For any questions regarding request amount limits per student, please contact the EDMAP Program Officer.

E. Geologic Map Products

Statements below addressing the characteristics of geologic maps within EDMAP are generally applicable to all products, including those generated through Data Synthesis

Projects.

The EDMAP definition of a 2D geologic map created by a Field-Focused Project is one supported by a robust material-properties-based geologic framework of geological features and strata that is regularly updated, well-coordinated, multi-resolution, seamless, and that can be interpreted into various customized and user-friendly derivative map products. At minimum, the geologic map should include: (1) a clear and legible base (include base map credit and map projection); (2) scale (fractional and bar) and contour interval; (3) north arrow and magnetic declination; (4) title, authorship, publisher (or the institution that carried out the mapping), and date; (5) index map showing mapping contributions by the student author(s) and by previous mappers; (6) field data or field data stations; (7) description of map units; (8) explanation of map symbols; and (9) unit symbols on map. All maps submitted under EDMAP also must show the bounding coordinates in degrees-minutes-seconds (DMS) notation or decimal degrees notation. A geologic map may also include correlation or sequence of map units, stratigraphic columns, cross sections, other down-hole or 3D data, derivative maps, and text, but these additions are not required.

Geologic maps in digital form also may contain a variety of point data for specific sites, essentially comprising a 3D database.

The EDMAP definition of a geologic map in the case of a Data Synthesis Project is defined broadly as any map that characterizes the solid Earth and/or its constituents. At a minimum (if applicable), the geologic map should include: (1) a clear map projection; (2) scale (fractional and bar); (3) north arrow and magnetic declination; (4) title, authorship, publisher (or the institution that carried out the mapping), and date; (5) field data or field data stations, if field data were collected; (6) description of relevant discrete or continuous map units; (7) explanation of map symbols; and (8) unit symbols on map.

In the case of both Field-Focused and Data Synthesis Projects, deliverable geologic maps will consist of data acquired and/or originally analyzed during the award period and, if applicable, mapped at a scale deemed appropriate for the geologic problem being addressed. Students should learn techniques of mapping with emphasis on the development of new maps and/or new mapping methodologies. If applicable, PIs must plan mapping projects in coordination with other FEDMAP or STATEMAP mapping projects in the field area, as NCGMP will not fund two maps of the same area of equitable scale or of similar purpose. All EDMAP deliverable maps are required to be submitted as high quality digital Portable Document

Format (PDF) files that address the minimum requirements for map components and notation as described above. Any GIS or desktop-publishing files that were developed during the preparation of the PDF should be included in the deliverable. Please coordinate with the

NCGMP office if producing a deliverable that is not listed here (e.g., a Data Synthesis deliverable), so that a mechanism for delivery can be developed. At the end of an awarded

Cooperative Agreement period of performance, the EDMAP deliverables must be delivered to the NCGMP Program Office and also delivered to the State Geologist for the study site (if there is a State Geologist for that study site).

As student maps and other products are a significant component of the NCGMP, all current projects as well as maps delivered under EDMAP will be posted to the USGS National

Geologic Map Database (NGMDB) website (http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/), which currently provides access to more than 100,000 geoscience publications (for an example EDMAP deliverable, see https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Prodesc/proddesc_109645.htm). Current ‘Mapping in

Progress’ EDMAP projects can be found at https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/mip/. In addition to the generated products, the NCGMP will archive any source files (e.g., ArcGIS, Adobe

Illustrator) for future use by other geologists, upon written request. If you do not want your student’s deliverable posted to the NGMDB website, then please indicate that to the NCGMP in your transmittal letter when you submit your deliverable. Unless otherwise indicated, your student’s deliverable will be uploaded to the website with a disclaimer watermark identifying it as an unpublished EDMAP deliverable. It is strongly recommended that you work with your partnering State Geological Survey toward publication of your student’s deliverable(s), as applicable.

To assist the student and PI in map preparation, various general and NCGMP-supported resources for cartography and database design are available at https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Info/standards/. This site is the recommended starting point for preparation of EDMAP products. It is recommended that you follow the Federal Geographic

Data Committee (FGDC) Cartographic Standard

(https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/fgdc_gds/geolsymstd/download.php) and the GeMS standard

(https://doi.org/10.3133/tm11B10). NCGMP has adopted GeMS as the standard to be used for all NCGMP-funded map products produced by the USGS and State Geological Surveys.

Additional resources on GeMS can be found at https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Info/standards/GeMS/.

Geospatial Data Availability Requirements

All geospatial data collected for or produced through the use of the Department of the

Interior financial assistance funds are required to meet all relevant standards established by the Federal Geospatial Data Committee (FGDC) as authorized by Geospatial Data Act of

2018, Pub. L. 115-254, Subtitle F – Geospatial Data, §§ 751-759C, codified at 43 U.S.C. §§

2801– 2811. Interior requires fully compliant metadata on all Geographic Information

Systems files developed for financial assistance projects. If a funded financial assistance project involves acquiring or collecting geospatial data, the recipient is required to search

GeoPlatform.gov to determine that no existing Federal, State, local or private data meet the

Government’s needs and are available at no cost before acquiring or collecting additional geospatial data.

2 CFR 1402.315 Availability of Data

(a) All data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, eports, conclusions, valuation products or other scientific assessments in any medium or form, including textual, numerical, graphic, cartographic, narrative, or audiovisual, resulting from a financial assistance agreement is available for use by the Department of the Interior, including being available in a manner that is sufficient for independent verification.

(b) The Federal Government has the right to:

(1) Obtain, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use the data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, or other scientific assessments, produced under a Federal award; and

(2) Authorize others to receive, reproduce, publish, or otherwise use such data, methodology, factual inputs, models, analyses, technical information, reports, conclusions, or other scientific assessments, for Federal purposes, including to allow for meaningful third-party evaluation.

All deliverables that include geospatial data products must include appropriate metadata conforming to FGDC standards. FGDC standards can be found on https://www.fgdc.gov/standards.

PART II. Timetables, Eligibility, Format Instructions, and Proposal Evaluation

A. Timetables

Program Announcement Date: October 01, 2023

Closing Date and Time for Proposal Submission: Friday, January 12, 2024 @ 3:00 p.m.

(EST)

B. Eligibility - Who May Submit a Proposal

EDMAP is restricted to U.S. Universities with geoscience or related departments or programs

(for more information on whether your institution is eligible to submit an EDMAP proposal, contact the EDMAP Program Officer). University professors (including adjunct professors) must write and submit the proposals; the supported student(s) must not write the proposal.

EDMAP Cooperative Agreements are intended to fund graduate (Masters and Doctoral) students and/or upper level (junior and senior) undergraduate students. Graduate and undergraduate students must have received appropriate geoscience or related training prior to the time that they begin the proposed project.

EDMAP cooperative agreements do not support faculty/PI salaries, nor do they support student tuition. The bulk of the award is intended to support the student’s proposed efforts

(field work and/or synthesis work). No faculty salary is allowed, although the PI may ask for some logistical financial support (e.g., travel funds) to mentor the student(s) in the field for a credible amount of time. Most of the budget request should go toward support of the student.

Any support investigations (drilling and analytical services) or other purchased assets should be limited to less than 20 percent of the overall project budget.

Proposals may involve collaborations between more than one institution. In this case, the proposal must describe how the collaboration enhances the ability of the collaborating institutions to meet eligibility requirements. A co-PI must be named for each institution, and all PIs and co-PIs (all of whom are considered “PIs” within this program announcement) share equally in the responsibility for the completion of the project. One PI must be named on the proposal as the point of contact for NCGMP communication, preferably the academic advisor of the funded student. Funding will be received by the University of the PI named as point of contact, with disbursements to other institutions made through inter-institutional agreements.

NCGMP will not engage in inter-institutional agreements, nor participate in enacting their provisions.

PIs that have been previously funded under EDMAP must comply with the requirements specified in previous EDMAP awards and must be in good standing (i.e., no delinquent deliverables still pending on a previous award without a Program-approved extension) to apply for funding for FY2024. Failure to meet previous award requirements will be grounds for ineligibility.

1. Student Eligibility

Although EDMAP proposals are for 12 months of funding, a primary student may be supported by up to two EDMAP awards. Students may be funded for two consecutive fiscal years, or a student may be supported by an EDMAP award from two different institutions, degrees, or PIs. However, the student is only eligible for two years of funding cumulatively.

The PI must indicate on the “Mandatory EDMAP Proposal Cover Sheet” if the student has been supported by any prior EDMAP funding.

C. Proposal Format Instructions

Proposals must be arranged according to the format and order provided below. Following this format ensures that every proposal contains all essential information and is evaluated equitably. All documents (except the SF-424 forms) must be combined and submitted as one

PDF file.

All proposals must include the following documents:

1. Standard Form 424 (SF-424), Application for Federal Assistance (mandatory form provided in grants.gov). The person who electronically submits the SF-424 must have the authority to bind the University/Institution to the terms of the assistance award.

2. Standard Form 424A, Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs (mandatory form provided in grants.gov).

3. Standard Form 424B, Assurances - Non-Construction Programs (mandatory form provided in grants.gov).

4. Negotiated Rate Agreement – Most States and Universities have a rate agreement.

These agreements are usually titled “State and Local Rate Agreement” or “Colleges and

Universities Rate Agreement.” The document provides the rates approved for use on grants, contracts, and other agreements with the Federal Government. New regulations (2 CFR

200.414) went into effect in 2015 stating that a recipient must provide a federally approved negotiated rate agreement or their indirect costs cannot exceed 10%. The language states that the agency will comply with the recipients approved rate, however, this is exempt for individual program regulations that have restrictions regarding indirect costs. The program authority for EDMAP has a cap of 18%. If you request fringe benefits that are not referenced in your approved rate agreement or if you do not have a rate agreement to provide, then please include a reference on how your fringe benefit rate(s) are determined for your university/institution.

5. Support letter from study-site State Geologist (or USGS Project Lead if there is no

State Geologist for the study site) – A letter of acknowledgement or support from the State

Geologist (or head of the State Geological Survey geologic mapping program) in the state that you are proposing to conduct mapping is mandatory. If the study site does not have a State

Geologist, a letter of support from an NCGMP-funded USGS Project Lead is sufficient. It is highly recommended that discussions occur with the State Geologist/State Survey or the

USGS Project Lead prior to the request for a letter of support. Informing them of your proposed field mapping and/or research project is of benefit to everyone. If other organizations are supporting your proposed project, then additional letters of support are welcome. See Attachments D and E for State and USGS contacts. For questions related to coordination with USGS Project Leads and/or State Geologists, please contact the EDMAP

Program Officer.

6. Mandatory EDMAP Proposal Cover Sheet – Please be mindful of the formatting requirements and changes to the Cover Sheet in FY2024.

7. Proposal Technical Section – This section of the proposal is limited to 10 single-spaced pages, no smaller than 11-point font size, and 1-inch margins. Remember that a graphic is worth a thousand words, and the Proposal Evaluation Panel has many proposals to read. The 10-page limit includes all text, figures, references, and personnel information

(letter(s) of support, attachments, budget sheets, and data management plan are not included in the 10-page limit). The technical section of the proposal must include the following:

a. Abstract. The abstract must be no more than 350 words and include: (1) a statement of purpose, objective, or hypothesis; (2) research methods to accomplish the goal; (3) expected scientific or societal impacts of your research; (4) expected conclusions or outcomes; and (5) a statement that identifies the state and quadrangle or areas that you will be mapping in or otherwise addressing through mapping-related activities. Please describe clearly and concisely what you propose to do in your project. Do not include personal information.

b. Introduction. The introduction should be a brief description of the problem and background. Reference should be made to any earlier geologic mapping, or geologic mapping going on nearby at present. If the PI has received prior EDMAP funding in recent years, please include a discussion of previous projects, results, impacts of previous results, and if/how this work relates to the work being proposed.

Please be as specific as possible and include a bibliography of previous EDMAP products. Please state if this project is a significant part of a thesis. The introduction is a good place to discuss coordination with a State Geological Survey or USGS.

c. Location and geologic setting. The proposed study area must be located within the United States and (or) U.S. Territories. A clear, readable map (with scale) showing the location (with coordinates) of your project area should accompany the text. Please keep in mind that the Proposal Evaluation Panel may not be familiar with the geography of your proposed field area. If the footprint of your proposed work is on or near Tribal lands, provide details: (1) whether physical access to Tribal lands is required, (2) whether or not the proposed activity would include soil disturbance (e.g., sample collection) on or near Tribal Lands, and (3) details on pre-coordination, request for access, or other communication with Tribes on the proposed project (if applicable).

d. Purpose and Justification. This section should answer the following simple, but important questions: Why are you doing this project? What scientific questions are you addressing? What benefits will society receive from the mapping? If you have previously proposed similar research, then please convey how the current proposal is related to this other research and how the current proposal is different from this other research.

e. Strategy for Performing the Project. This section should explain how your student will achieve the scientific results presented in the previous section through geologic mapping or other activities related to geologic mapping. If multiple students are involved, please be specific about the roles and individual projects and deliverables of each student. A short discussion about the digital cartography and GIS component related to the project is also beneficial. If the objectives can only be accomplished with the support of drilling, or other analytical services such as geochronology or geochemistry, or through the purchase of third-party assets (e.g., datasets), then please describe these activities here. Keep in mind that most of the budget request should go toward support of the student, and that any support investigations (drilling and analytical services) or other purchased assets should be limited to less than 20 percent of the overall budget request.

f. Mentoring strategy and timetable. Provide a realistic mentoring approach and timetable for completing the mapping project. A table embedded in your proposal can be a clear and concise way of conveying this information. Explain how much time the PI/faculty advisor will spend directly engaged with the student(s) and what their specific role(s) will be. Clearly discuss how the PI/faculty advisor will mentor the student(s) before, during, and after the field experience. If the student mappers have experience in geologic mapping (for example, a second year EDMAP student), then explain why you may have a more flexible mentoring schedule versus working with a junior or senior undergraduate student who might have less experience with geologic mapping. If the PI plans to be closely engaged with the student(s) throughout the project (e.g., in the field with the student mapper for the entire duration of the mapping project), please explain how the student(s) will gain independent experience with the techniques being learned. If applicable, explain how the PI will mentor any field assistants, and explain exactly what the assistant(s) role(s) will be. State where there will be any student interaction with or mentorship from State Geological Survey staff or USGS scientists. The NCGMP program considers project review by USGS and

State Geological Survey partners an important part of EDMAP Projects, and thus sharing your project plan with them is beneficial. Please include a discussion of field safety if appropriate. NCGMP strongly encourages geologic mapping projects to utilize a buddy system approach to promote safe field practices.

g. Deliverables. Please provide a list of all deliverables. If maps are produced by the project, they must be submitted (with accompanying technical reports) by quadrangle, portion of quadrangle, or study area (indicate bounding coordinates). Keep in mind that the primary student mapper will be the first author of the deliverables, whereas other students (e.g., mapping assistants) will be secondary authors or acknowledged on the deliverable. If two primary mappers are funded on a project, then two separate map deliverables and a breakdown of which map deliverable will be authored by which student are required. All EDMAP deliverables, when possible, are required to be delivered as high-quality digital PDF files. See Part IV, Section F for more information about Project Deliverables.

h. Project Personnel. Proposed personnel must include the name of the PI, other supervising professor(s), and student(s). Clearly list the primary student mapper(s)/analyst(s) and any students that will be assistants. A short biography of each person will assist the Proposal Evaluation Panel to judge both the qualifications of the professor(s) and the ability of the student(s) to complete the geologic mapping project.

Full CV/resumes are not required if sufficient biographical information is provided.

The PI should include information about the student’s prior geologic educational experience (e.g., field camp, analysis projects, or other mapping projects), and any course work that would help significantly in the project. The PI and other supervising professors should include teaching experience relevant to the proposed project.

For projects that include inter-institutional collaborations, please include the expected contribution and relevant background of each PI, co-PI, and all other faculty serving in a defined role. It is important that the proposal make it clear that the combined skills and knowledge of the faculty team warrant a collaborative approach to the project. Be sure to identify which faculty member is the point of contact for the NCGMP, and please note that the point of contact must be a faculty member at the lead institution

(i.e., the institution submitting the proposal and receiving payments).

NOTE: As the timing of proposal submission comes soon after the beginning of the school year, NCGMP understands that it is sometimes difficult to identify the student(s) who will undertake some kinds of projects, especially in the case of new graduate students. Proposals submitted that do not identify the actual students who will do the project are allowed, however, the name, contact information, and biography/qualifications of ALL students involved in the project (e.g., primary mapper(s)/analyst(s) and assistants) must be submitted to the USGS before the Office of Acquisition and Grants formally issues the cooperative agreement. This scenario should give professors several extra months to identify students to undertake the project. It is preferred that most students will be identified in the original proposals

(but identification of students is not part of the proposal review criteria). Finally, even if the name and background information of each student is not included in the proposal, the proposal must specify whether each student is an undergraduate, a

Masters, or a Doctoral student, and must include the minimal educational requirements and qualifications for each student. Otherwise, the Proposal Evaluation Panel will not be able to determine if the students are qualified to do the described level of work.

i. Other support. If the student has pending requests for support to perform a similar project from other institutions, then these requests should be listed.

j. Budget explanation and justification. It is important that the Proposal

Evaluation Panel understand your budget to determine if it is adequately justified for the proposed mapping project. The budget justification section should explain in detail the itemized budget in the included Budget Sheet (Attachment B).

8. USGS Data Management Plan

Proposals submitted to USGS must include a supplementary document of no more than two pages labeled "Data Management Plan" (DMP). This supplementary document should describe how the proposal will conform to USGS policy on the dissemination and sharing of research results and associated data. A valid DMP may include only the statement that no detailed plan is needed (e.g., “No data are expected to be produced from this project”), if the statement is accompanied by a clear justification. This supplementary document (DMP) may include:

• the types of data, samples, physical collections, software, curriculum materials, and other materials to be produced during the project;

• the standards to be used for data and metadata format and content (if existing standards are absent or deemed inadequate, then this situation should be documented along with any proposed solutions or remedies);

• policies for access and sharing to include provisions for appropriate protection of privacy, confidentiality, security, intellectual property, or other rights or requirements;

• provisions for re-use, re-distribution, and the production of derivatives; and plans for archiving data, samples, and other research products, and for preservation of free public access to them.

Additional guidance on data management plans is available from the USGS Data

Management web site here: https://www.usgs.gov/data-management/data-management-plans

9. Budget Sheets (Attachment B). Only one budget sheet per proposal is required, but if, for logistical reasons, the budget request for one student is significantly different than that of another student, then it may be useful to submit separate, individual budget sheets. Please itemize budget sheets and include rates for salary and travel logistics. If there is a cost item that represents a large proportion of your proposal budget, then the Proposal Evaluation Panel will want to know details. Please include a description of the cost share (cash vs. in-kind).

Examples of cost share (university/institution costs) include the Principal Investigator salary, student salary or assistantships, travel expenses, laboratory analysis, or other non-Federal support. If cost share includes support from another organization outside of the proposing institution, please include a letter from that organization as evidence.

PLEASE READ EACH CATEGORY DESCRIPTION BELOW AND PROVIDE THE

DETAILED BREAKDOWN THAT IS REQUIRED FOR EACH. THIS EFFORT WILL

HELP AVOID POSSIBLE DELAYS IN PROCESSING A FUNDED PROPOSAL,

BECAUSE AN AWARD WILL NOT BE ISSUED UNTIL ALL REQUIRED

INFORMATION IS PROVIDED.

The budget should contain the following:

a. Salaries. Include all students (list number of students, salary rate, and amount of time on project for each student). Federal EDMAP funds do not support Teaching

Assistantships (TA). Research Assistantships (RA) are allowed but only for students working exclusively on the proposed project. No faculty salary is allowed (but faculty salary may be used as match). In collaborative proposals that involve more than one student, if the students are from different institutions, then it is permissible to use different salary levels, but must be justified in a manner that demonstrates that any differential remains equitable.

b. Fringe Benefits. Propose rates/amounts of any fringe benefits. If rates are audit approved, then include a copy of the audit agreement and/or the name of the audit agency. In collaborative proposals that involve more than one student, if the students are from different institutions, then it is permissible to use different fringe benefit levels, but these different levels must be justified in a manner that demonstrates any differential remains equitable. Audit approval documentation should be provided for each institution.

c. Field Expenses. Itemize the estimated travel costs (i.e., number of people, number of travel days, per diem rate, mileage rate, airfare or other transportation, and any other travel costs).

d. Miscellaneous. Federal EDMAP funds are not allowed for the purchase or rental of capital equipment, such as GPS units, rock hammers, Brunton compasses, hand lenses, cameras, or other nonexpendable items. Matching funds may be used for this purpose, provided that the capital equipment is directly related and essential to the project, and that the cost is prorated for project use. Itemize supplies such as base maps, aerial photographs, petrographic thin sections, film, datasets, and other expendable field and office supplies. List any contractual services and associated costs. Use this section to itemize costs that are not identified elsewhere on the budget sheet. Provide an estimated breakdown to include number and cost for each item.

e. Drilling and analytical expenses. Drilling and analytical laboratory (e.g., geochemistry, geochronology, geophysics) expenses are to be capped to less than 20 percent of the total proposal costs. Please note that Federal EDMAP funds are prohibited from being used to fund analytical work at any Federal facility (matching funds are allowed for such analytical work at a Federal facility).

f. Non-allowable Expenses

i. Tuition and course fees. Federal EDMAP funds are not intended to pay tuition or course fees, and use of tuition waivers as matching funds is not acceptable. Tuition remission is not an acceptable match.

ii. Teaching assistantships. Federal EDMAP funds are not intended for teaching assistantship salaries, nor can they be used as matching funds.

EDMAP funds may be used to support student research assistantships if the student is working exclusively on the EDMAP project.

iii. Professional meetings. Federal EDMAP funds are not intended for travel to or registration for professional meetings, nor are they an acceptable

Federal match.

iv. Software. Software licenses and maintenance contracts are non-allowable expenses (Federal or Institution match) if the proposed project is a

Field-Focused Project. However, software is an allowable expense if the proposed project is a Data Synthesis Project and the software purchase is justified and prorated.

v. Overhead expenses. It is not permissible to use items or facilities

(computers, computer facilities, plotters, rock lab, office space, etc.) as match that are already university/department/institution overhead expenses. These items should be covered by indirect costs.

g. Total Direct Charges. Total for items a – e. Total direct charges MUST have a

1:1 Federal/Proposing Institution match. Failure to do so will result in automatic ineligibility and your proposal will not be further evaluated. The match side may be higher, but it must meet the 1:1 match requirement. In collaborative proposals, partial match from each institution is allowed if the total match the 1:1 threshold.

h. Indirect Charges. Show proposed rate and amount. Proposals must include a copy of the Indirect Negotiated Cost Rate between the institution and the

Federal Government. NOTE: The 2022 Reauthorization of the National

Geologic Mapping Act (Public Law 117-58, Section 40202) states that the

USGS and recipients of EDMAP grants shall not use more than 15.25% of

Federal funds to pay indirect, servicing, or program management charges

(which is equivalent to 18% of total direct costs). In collaborative proposals, different rates and amounts are allowed based on the direct costs to be received by each institution. A copy of the Indirect Negotiated Cost Rate must be included for each institution claiming indirect charges.

i. Matching Funds. Regardless of the Proposing Institution’s federally negotiated indirect cost rate, a Proposing Institution must show a 1:1 match of the total direct costs and no more than 18% on the Federal indirect costs line. Up to

18% of a Proposing Institution’s total direct costs may be used as a Proposing

Institution match on the Proposing Institution indirect cost line. If a Proposing

Institution chooses (or is required) to show a higher than 18% rate on the

Proposing Institution’s indirect cost line, then this rate can be listed under

“uncollected indirect costs” on the University/proposing Institution side, and the result will be a higher Proposing Institution budget total than the Federal budget total - however, any “uncollected indirect costs” cannot be claimed as additional University match. If the Proposing Institution approved rate is less than 18%, the approved rate must be used. These stipulations also apply to subcontracts. If a sub-award is issued for a portion of a project, then the same rules apply to the 18% cap for indirect costs on the federal side. In collaborative proposals, partial match from each institution is allowed so long as the total reaches the 1:1 threshold.

NOTICE OF MATCH AMOUNT – Please note that in accordance with the program announcement, a 1:1 match is required.