Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forest CESU | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is offering a cooperative agreement under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) program, specifically through the Great Lakes Northern Forest CESU network. The focus of the project is research and development work aimed at turning scanned images of older, lithographically printed topographic maps into accurate georeferenced digital products. In practical terms, the work centers on taking historical paper map scans and applying scientific image transformation methods so the resulting files are spatially aligned to real-world coordinates and can be used directly in modern GIS environments.

The main goal is to make historic cartographic information more usable by converting it into georeferenced electronic map files that can be distributed and accessed online. USGS is looking for approaches that allow straightforward manipulation and mathematical transformation of these map images so they can better support a wide range of uses, including recreation planning, emergency response, ecosystem and natural resource research, other scientific analysis, and general public use. By doing this, the resulting products would also supplement and enhance USGS map graphic generation workflows, since georeferenced legacy map images become easier to integrate with current digital mapping systems.

A major technical emphasis of the opportunity is improving and potentially automating parts of the georeferencing process while protecting the original map's scientific and cartographic integrity. The award recipient is expected to research the methods and steps required to transform scanned lithographic map images into georeferenced digital files in a way that preserves the accuracy and intent of the original cartography. This includes examining transformation techniques and, importantly, developing or evaluating automated recognition methods for locating graticule intersection control points (the latitude/longitude grid intersections printed on maps). The ability to automatically detect both the shape and the x-y position of these control points is highlighted as a key component, since those points are typically used to anchor georeferencing transformations. The overall research is intended to determine whether the existing manual georeferencing process can be improved in feasibility, efficiency, and consistency through better methods and automation.

This is a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement instrument, meaning USGS likely expects meaningful collaboration or involvement during the project rather than a fully independent grant effort. The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development, and USGS lists the CFDA number as 15.808 (U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection). The opportunity anticipated a single award, with an estimated total funding amount of $25,000. No cost sharing or matching requirement is indicated.

Eligibility is limited to partners within the Great Lakes Northern Forest CESU program. Applicants must be participating members of that CESU network and must also bring relevant expertise, particularly in geospatial data manipulation with an emphasis on map projections and coordinate transformation. In other words, the project is geared toward teams that already have strong GIS and cartographic transformation capabilities and can apply that knowledge to the specialized problem of georeferencing scanned historical topographic maps.

Key administrative details include the funding opportunity number 09HQPA0019, a posting date of January 29, 2009, and a closing date of February 10, 2009 (with the same date shown as the original and current closing date). The archive date is March 12, 2009. For access or administrative questions, the listed contact is Faith Peters, Contract Specialist, at 703-648-7356.

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