Opportunity Information: Apply for 10HQPA0096
Apply for 10HQPA0096
- The Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forest CESU" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.808 U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 5, 2010 and posted on Aug 5, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 18, 2010. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $75,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- 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).
- This financial assistance opportunity is being issued under a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. CESU s are partnerships that provide research, technical assistance, and education. Eligible recipients must be a participating partner of the Great Lake Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program.
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Opportunity Summary:
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is offering a discretionary cooperative agreement through the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Network, specifically the Great Lakes Northern Forest CESU, to support research and development focused on turning scanned images of older lithographically printed topographic maps into accurate, georeferenced digital map files. The core purpose is to recover and deliver historic geographic information in a modern, usable format by developing and improving scientific methods that can transform raw scanned map images into spatially referenced products that align correctly with real-world coordinates while preserving the original cartographic intent and accuracy.
The project is centered on advancing the georeferencing of historic printed maps, especially those that are difficult to process using typical workflows. Many older lithographic maps were produced without modern national mapping standards, and they often lack clearly stated projection and datum information. Some also appear as part of complex atlas sheets where the actual map occupies only part of the printed page alongside text, diagrams, geologic sections, inset maps, and other graphics. The research is expected to optimize the process of identifying the map frame and its placement on the sheet, isolating the relevant cartographic content, and then applying mathematical transformations that correctly position the map in geographic space even when reference points are inconsistent, irregularly spaced, or not uniformly located.
A major technical emphasis is on improving and documenting image transformation methods that retain scientific cartographic integrity. That means the work is not simply about producing a visually plausible overlay, but about ensuring that the resulting georeferenced files match the positional accuracy of the original maps as closely as possible. The project explicitly calls for research into automated or partially automated techniques, including pattern recognition approaches that can detect the shape and x-y locations of irregular graticule intersection marks (grid or latitude/longitude intersection indicators) and use them as transformation control points. Automating recognition of these control points is expected to significantly speed up and standardize the conversion process, making it easier to scale to larger collections.
The expected outcomes include creating georeferenced electronic map files suitable for web access and broader distribution, enabling straightforward manipulation and analysis of historic map content, and presenting historic cartographic information in forms that can be viewed, cited, and incorporated into scientific literature and mapping products. Another important deliverable is documentation: the recipient is expected to extend and improve existing georeferencing processes and then clearly document and publish the developed workflow so that other institutions and map collections can apply the same methods to locally held lithographic maps. Because many of these maps have ambiguous or missing metadata, part of the work also involves identifying map characteristics such as projection and datum when they are not specified.
This opportunity anticipates a single award with an estimated total funding amount of $75,000. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically implies substantial involvement or collaboration with the federal agency during the project. The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development under CFDA 15.808 (U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection). The opportunity was posted August 5, 2010, with an original and current closing date of August 18, 2010, and an archive date of September 17, 2010.
Eligibility is limited to organizations that are already participating partners in the Great Lakes Northern Forest CESU Program, reflecting CESU’s role as a partnership framework intended to support research, technical assistance, and education. The recipient must bring strong expertise in geospatial data manipulation, map projections, and transformation methods, with specific capability to handle small-scale and historical maps where distortions, printing artifacts, and nonstandard reference information can complicate accurate georeferencing.
By the end of the study, the awardee is expected to present findings to USGS/National Geospatial Program (NGP) staff, and submission of an article to a recognized scientific journal is encouraged, underscoring that the project is meant to contribute not only a practical workflow but also publishable advancements in cartographic and geographic information science. For questions or access issues related to the full announcement, the listed contact is Faith Graves, Contract Specialist, at 703-648-7356.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What agency is offering this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
What type of funding instrument is being used?
The funding instrument is a discretionary cooperative agreement issued through the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Network, specifically the Great Lakes Northern Forest CESU.
What is the main purpose of this project?
The project supports research and development to turn scanned images of older lithographically printed topographic maps into accurate, georeferenced digital map files. The goal is to recover historic geographic information and deliver it in a modern, usable format that aligns correctly with real-world coordinates while preserving the original cartographic intent and accuracy.
What kinds of maps are the focus of this work?
The focus is on historic, lithographically printed topographic maps, especially maps that are difficult to georeference using typical workflows. Many of these older maps were produced without modern national mapping standards and may not clearly state projection or datum information.
Why are these historic lithographic maps challenging to georeference?
The announcement notes several common challenges: missing or ambiguous projection and datum metadata, inconsistent or irregularly spaced reference points, printing artifacts and distortions, and complex atlas sheets where the map occupies only part of a page that also includes text, diagrams, geologic sections, inset maps, and other graphics.
What is meant by "georeferencing" in this opportunity?
In this context, georeferencing means transforming a scanned map image into a spatially referenced digital product that is correctly positioned in geographic space and aligned to real-world coordinates.
Is the goal just to make the scanned maps look aligned on top of modern maps?
No. A major emphasis is on maintaining scientific cartographic integrity. The work is expected to produce georeferenced files that match the positional accuracy of the original maps as closely as possible, not merely a visually plausible overlay.
What technical work is the project expected to advance?
The project is expected to advance and optimize methods to (1) identify the map frame and its placement on a printed sheet, (2) isolate the relevant cartographic content from surrounding non-map elements, and (3) apply mathematical transformations that correctly position the map in geographic space, even when control information is irregular or inconsistent.
Does the opportunity encourage automation?
Yes. The announcement explicitly calls for research into automated or partially automated techniques to speed up and standardize georeferencing, making it easier to scale to larger collections.
What are "graticule intersection marks," and why do they matter here?
Graticule intersection marks are grid or latitude/longitude intersection indicators on maps. The opportunity highlights pattern recognition approaches that can detect the shape and x-y locations of irregular graticule intersection marks and use them as transformation control points.
What kinds of outputs or deliverables are expected?
Expected outcomes include georeferenced electronic map files suitable for web access and broader distribution, enabling manipulation and analysis of historic map content, and presenting historic cartographic information in a form that can be viewed, cited, and incorporated into scientific literature and mapping products.
Is documentation of the process required?
Yes. The recipient is expected to extend and improve existing georeferencing processes and clearly document and publish the developed workflow so other institutions and map collections can apply the same methods to their own lithographic maps.
Does the project include determining projection and datum when they are missing?
Yes. Because many of the maps have ambiguous or missing metadata, part of the work involves identifying map characteristics such as projection and datum when they are not specified.
How many awards does USGS expect to make?
The opportunity anticipates a single award.
What is the estimated total funding amount?
The estimated total funding amount is $75,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The announcement states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
What program or network is this opportunity associated with?
This opportunity is issued through the CESU Network, specifically the Great Lakes Northern Forest CESU Program.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to organizations that are already participating partners in the Great Lakes Northern Forest CESU Program.
What expertise is the applicant expected to have?
The recipient is expected to have strong expertise in geospatial data manipulation, map projections, and transformation methods, including the capability to handle small-scale and historical maps where distortions, printing artifacts, and nonstandard reference information can complicate accurate georeferencing.
What does it mean that this is a "cooperative agreement"?
The announcement notes that a cooperative agreement typically implies substantial involvement or collaboration with the federal agency during the project.
What is the activity category and CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development. The CFDA number is 15.808 (U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection).
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on August 5, 2010. The original and current closing date is August 18, 2010.
What is the archive date?
The archive date listed is September 17, 2010.
Are there expectations for sharing results with USGS staff?
Yes. By the end of the study, the awardee is expected to present findings to USGS/National Geospatial Program (NGP) staff.
Is publication encouraged?
Yes. Submission of an article to a recognized scientific journal is encouraged, reflecting the intent for the work to produce publishable advancements in cartographic and geographic information science.
Who is the contact person for questions or access issues about the full announcement?
The listed contact is Faith Graves, Contract Specialist, at 703-648-7356.
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