Development of a wireless network of in-situ Ground Penetrating Radar sensing nodes to monitor subsurface soil moisture and groundwater levels in real time | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

This funding opportunity is a non-competitive cooperative agreement from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), within the Department of the Interior, focused on research and development in science and technology. The project goal is the development of a wireless network made up of in-situ Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) sensing nodes that can monitor subsurface soil moisture and groundwater levels in real time. In practical terms, the work centers on creating and demonstrating a system of underground or near-surface radar sensors that are deployed in the field, can take measurements continuously or at frequent intervals, and can transmit those measurements wirelessly so conditions below ground can be tracked as they change.

The opportunity is identified by Funding Opportunity Number USGS 16 FA 0230 and falls under CFDA (Assistance Listing) 15.808. It is categorized as discretionary funding and uses a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument, which generally implies substantial involvement by the federal agency during the project compared with a standard grant. Because the notice specifies a non-competitive cooperative agreement, the intent is not to run an open, head-to-head competition among many applicants; instead, it is typically aimed at a specific partner or a narrowly defined set of circumstances where USGS has a strong reason to work with a particular eligible institution.

Eligibility is limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. The posting indicates an expected single award, with an award ceiling of $60,000. The opportunity was created and posted on May 31, 2016, and the closing date (both original and current) is June 14, 2016. With only one anticipated award and a relatively modest ceiling, the scope is likely designed to support targeted prototyping, integration, and/or a pilot demonstration rather than a large multi-year deployment.

From a technical standpoint, the project theme combines geophysics instrumentation (GPR), hydrologic monitoring (soil moisture and groundwater levels), and wireless sensing/telemetry. In-situ GPR nodes suggest sensors placed directly in the environment of interest so they can measure subsurface conditions without repeated manual site visits. A networked, wireless approach points to work such as designing node hardware packaging for field conditions, selecting radar configurations suitable for moisture and water table detection, developing power management strategies, building communications links between nodes and a base station or gateway, and creating data handling workflows that support near-real-time reporting. The emphasis on real-time monitoring implies the system is intended to capture dynamics, for example changes after rainfall, irrigation, seasonal recharge, pumping, drought conditions, or flood events, rather than only static snapshots.

Overall, the grant opportunity supports applied research and development that advances field-ready sensing systems for hydrology and soil science, using a cooperative model where USGS is likely to collaborate closely on objectives, testing, and evaluation. The key administrative facts are: USGS cooperative agreement, non-competitive, one expected award up to $60,000, eligible applicants restricted to public/state higher education institutions, and a mid-June 2016 deadline.

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