Opportunity Information: Apply for G17AS00131
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), within the Department of the Interior, released a discretionary funding opportunity under the Californian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network to support a focused research project on geotechnical earthquake ground deformations. The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the USGS expects to have substantial involvement during the project rather than simply issuing a grant and stepping back. The opportunity was published on August 23, 2017, and originally closed on September 8, 2017. It anticipated making a single award with a maximum funding level (award ceiling) of $50,000.
Eligibility is limited to partners within the CESU framework (the notice lists eligible applicants as "Others" with clarification in an additional eligibility field), which generally points to institutions that are already part of the CESU partnership such as certain universities, research organizations, and other qualified non-federal entities that participate in CESU collaborative research. The program is tied to CFDA number 15.808 and is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development, signaling that the work is expected to be technical, research-driven, and aimed at advancing methods or understanding rather than delivering routine services.
The core of the opportunity is a two-part, integrated research effort aimed at improving how earthquake-related ground deformation is characterized and modeled in geotechnical contexts. The first element emphasizes non-invasive computational imaging of geotechnical earthquake ground deformations. In practical terms, this points to research that can infer subsurface conditions and deformation patterns without intrusive excavation or drilling, using imaging approaches that rely on surface or near-surface measurements combined with computational reconstruction methods. The goal implied by this element is to develop or refine techniques that can capture how soils and near-surface materials deform during earthquake loading, potentially improving detection, interpretation, and mapping of deformation features while minimizing disruption to the site.
The second element focuses on surface wave modeling of geotechnical earthquake ground deformations (the description mentions surface wave modeling as part of the two-joined elements). This component is aimed at modeling how seismic surface waves propagate through near-surface geologic materials and how that wave behavior relates to ground deformation and geotechnical response. Surface waves are particularly relevant because they can strongly influence shaking intensity and damage near the ground surface, and they are commonly used in geophysics to estimate subsurface shear-wave velocity structures. By linking surface wave modeling to geotechnical deformation outcomes, the work is positioned to strengthen predictive capability for earthquake-induced ground changes, such as strain localization, settlement, lateral spreading, or other deformation mechanisms relevant to hazards and infrastructure performance.
Overall, the opportunity is narrowly scoped and research-oriented, supporting one CESU partner to conduct a cohesive project that bridges advanced, non-invasive imaging methods with surface wave modeling to better understand, measure, and predict geotechnical ground deformations caused by earthquakes. The small, single-award funding level suggests a pilot study, method-development effort, or targeted investigation intended to produce useful tools, models, or findings that the USGS can apply to earthquake hazards science and related risk-reduction work.Apply for G17AS00131
- The Department of the Interior, Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Californian CESU" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.808.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 23, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 08, 2017. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $50,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What agency is offering this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) within the Department of the Interior.
What type of funding instrument is being used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
The award is structured as a cooperative agreement. This indicates the USGS expects to have substantial involvement in the project during the period of performance, rather than issuing a standard grant with minimal federal participation.
What is the program or network associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is issued under the Californian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to partners within the CESU framework. The notice lists eligible applicants as "Others" with additional clarification indicating CESU partners (typically certain universities, research organizations, and other qualified non-federal entities that participate in CESU collaborative research).
Is this opportunity open to the general public or any organization?
No. Based on the information provided, eligibility is restricted to CESU partners rather than being broadly open to all organizations.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is tied to CFDA number 15.808.
How is this opportunity categorized?
It is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development, indicating a technical, research-driven project focused on advancing methods and understanding.
What is the main research focus of the project?
The project focuses on geotechnical earthquake ground deformations, with an emphasis on improving how earthquake-related ground deformation is characterized and modeled in geotechnical contexts.
What are the two integrated research elements described in the opportunity?
The opportunity describes a two-part, integrated research effort: (1) non-invasive computational imaging of geotechnical earthquake ground deformations, and (2) surface wave modeling of geotechnical earthquake ground deformations.
What does "non-invasive computational imaging" mean in the context of this opportunity?
It refers to approaches intended to infer subsurface conditions and deformation patterns without intrusive excavation or drilling, using surface or near-surface measurements combined with computational reconstruction methods.
What is the goal of the non-invasive imaging component?
The goal is to develop or refine techniques that can capture how soils and near-surface materials deform during earthquake loading, potentially improving detection, interpretation, and mapping of deformation features while minimizing disruption to the site.
What does the "surface wave modeling" component involve?
This component focuses on modeling how seismic surface waves propagate through near-surface geologic materials and how that wave behavior relates to ground deformation and geotechnical response.
Why are surface waves relevant to geotechnical earthquake ground deformation research?
Surface waves can strongly influence shaking intensity and damage near the ground surface. They are also commonly used to estimate subsurface shear-wave velocity structures, which can be linked to how the ground deforms during earthquakes.
What kinds of ground deformation mechanisms is the research intended to help predict or understand?
Based on the description, the work is positioned to strengthen predictive capability for earthquake-induced ground changes such as strain localization, settlement, lateral spreading, and other deformation mechanisms relevant to hazards and infrastructure performance.
How many awards were anticipated under this opportunity?
The opportunity anticipated making a single award.
What is the maximum funding amount available?
The maximum funding level (award ceiling) is $50,000.
When was the opportunity published?
The opportunity was published on August 23, 2017.
When did the opportunity originally close?
The opportunity originally closed on September 8, 2017.
What does the relatively small award ceiling suggest about the likely scope of work?
The description suggests the funding level is consistent with a pilot study, method-development effort, or targeted investigation intended to produce useful tools, models, or findings that the USGS can apply to earthquake hazards science and related risk-reduction work.
What is the expected outcome or value of this research to USGS?
The work is intended to improve methods and models for understanding, measuring, and predicting geotechnical ground deformations caused by earthquakes, supporting USGS earthquake hazards science and risk-reduction applications.
Does this opportunity emphasize routine services or technical research?
It emphasizes technical, research-driven work aimed at advancing methods or understanding rather than delivering routine services.
Is the research expected to be a cohesive project rather than separate tasks?
Yes. The opportunity describes a cohesive, integrated project bridging advanced non-invasive imaging methods with surface wave modeling.
What does USGS "substantial involvement" typically imply for project execution under this opportunity?
Based on the cooperative agreement structure described, it implies USGS expects to participate actively during the project (as opposed to simply providing funds), consistent with substantial involvement during the performance of the work.
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