Opportunity Information: Apply for G12AS00004
Apply for G12AS00004
- The Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Mineral Resources External Research Program (MRERP)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.816 Minerals Resources External Research Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Sep 6, 2011 and posted on Sep 6, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 6, 2011. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $250,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
- Applications will be accepted from any individual who has the ability to conduct research consistent with the Mineral Resources Program goals (see Research Topic Eligibility section below) and who is not employed by a U.S. Federal agency. Applicants need not be U.S. citizens and can be affiliated (but are not required to be affiliated) with universities, State agencies, Tribal governments or organizations, industry, or other private sector groups. The following are ineligible for consideration under this announcement Proposals from U.S. Government agencies or U.S. Government employees. Proposals from Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC). Proposals in which there is a real or the appearance of a conflict of interest. Federal employees can be collaborators in proposed research, however, they are prohibited from receiving MRERP funds for salary or other expenses. Collaborative proposals between an external organization and a USGS/MRERP project may be funded as a cooperative agreement or as a grant depending upon the extent and type of involvement of the USGS in the work. Discussion and coordination between internal and external researchers is encouraged however, USGS personnel are prohibited from helping an external organization prepare its proposal for competitive funding. MRERP reserves the right to fund either part or all of the applicants involved in a collaborative study. Proposals to fund research in foreign countries will be considered when the proposed research provides knowledge or new techniques leading to a greater understanding of U.S. mineral resource issues. Applications submitted by foreign organizations must be submitted in English and in U.S. dollars. Awards involving foreign governments may require additional coordination and approval by the U.S. Department of State. Foreign countries must have U.S. Corresponding Bank and must complete Standard Form 1199A Direct Deposit Signup Form with the U.S. Bank
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Opportunity Summary:
The Mineral Resources External Research Program (MRERP) is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), specifically its Mineral Resources Program (MRP), designed to support scientific research and development focused on non-fuel mineral resources. The program uses grants and, in some cases, cooperative agreements to bring in expertise from outside the federal government and to advance knowledge, data, and methods that align with USGS mineral resource goals. In practical terms, it is meant to fund research that improves understanding of mineral resources, mineral systems, and related issues that matter to the United States, including projects that develop new techniques or generate information that can be applied to U.S. mineral resource questions.
Funding for this opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number G12AS00004) was posted on September 6, 2011, with an application deadline of October 6, 2011, and an archive date of December 6, 2011. USGS anticipated making about five awards under this announcement, with an estimated total program funding level of $250,000. The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.816 (Minerals Resources External Research Program). No cost sharing or matching is required, which means applicants are not obligated to provide non-federal funds as a condition of receiving an award. The notice lists an award ceiling and floor of $0, which typically signals that specific award sizes may vary and are not strictly bounded in the summary fields, so applicants would normally rely on the full announcement for any practical budget guidance.
Eligibility is broadly described as “unrestricted,†but the key limitation is that applicants must not be employed by a U.S. federal agency. Applications can be submitted by individuals and by people affiliated with universities, state agencies, Tribal governments or organizations, industry, or other private-sector groups, but affiliation is not required as long as the applicant can conduct research consistent with MRP goals. U.S. citizenship is not required. At the same time, several categories are explicitly ineligible: proposals from U.S. government agencies or U.S. government employees, proposals from Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), and proposals where there is a real conflict of interest or even the appearance of one.
The program allows collaboration with federal scientists, including USGS staff, but it draws a firm line on how federal employees can participate. Federal employees may serve as collaborators, but they cannot receive MRERP funds for salary or other expenses. Also, while the program encourages discussion and coordination between internal USGS researchers and outside applicants, USGS personnel are not allowed to assist external organizations in preparing proposals for competitive funding. If a project is truly collaborative between an outside organization and a USGS/MRERP project, USGS may choose to structure the award either as a standard grant or as a cooperative agreement, depending on how much USGS expects to be involved and what role it will play during the project. The announcement also notes that MRERP may fund only part of a collaborative study or only some of the collaborating applicants, depending on program needs and review outcomes.
Although the program is centered on U.S. mineral resource issues, it is open to research performed in foreign countries when the work is clearly tied back to U.S. needs, such as producing knowledge, datasets, or methods that improve understanding of U.S. mineral resource questions. Foreign organizations can apply, but proposals must be submitted in English and budgets must be presented in U.S. dollars. Awards that involve foreign governments may require extra coordination and approval through the U.S. Department of State. The notice also highlights practical banking and payment requirements for foreign recipients, including having a U.S. corresponding bank and completing Standard Form 1199A for direct deposit.
Administrative details in the public summary identify the agency as the Geological Survey and classify the activity under science and technology and other research and development. For applicants seeking the full requirements, application instructions, and the specific “Research Topic Eligibility†scope referenced in the eligibility language, the announcement directs applicants to Grants.gov. The listed point of contact for access issues is Faith Graves (703-648-7356, fgraves@usgs.gov).
Mineral Resources External Research Program (MRERP) - FAQs
What is the Mineral Resources External Research Program (MRERP)?
MRERP is a discretionary funding opportunity run by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) under its Mineral Resources Program (MRP). It supports scientific research and development focused on non-fuel mineral resources, including research that improves understanding of mineral resources and mineral systems, and projects that develop data, knowledge, or methods that align with USGS mineral resource goals.
What types of projects is MRERP intended to support?
The program is intended to fund research that advances knowledge, datasets, and techniques relevant to U.S. mineral resource questions. This includes projects that improve understanding of mineral resources and mineral systems and related issues that matter to the United States, including developing new techniques or generating information that can be applied to USGS mineral resource goals.
Who is the sponsoring agency for this opportunity?
The sponsoring agency is the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), listed as the Geological Survey in the public summary, operating this opportunity through its Mineral Resources Program (MRP).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this MRERP announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number is G12AS00004.
What CFDA number is associated with this program?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.816 (Minerals Resources External Research Program).
When was this funding opportunity posted, and what were the key dates?
The opportunity was posted on September 6, 2011. The application deadline was October 6, 2011. The archive date was December 6, 2011.
How many awards did USGS anticipate making under this announcement?
USGS anticipated making about five awards under this announcement.
What was the estimated total funding level for the program under this announcement?
The estimated total program funding level was $250,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The notice states that no cost sharing or matching is required, meaning applicants are not obligated to provide non-federal funds as a condition of receiving an award.
What were the award ceiling and award floor?
The notice lists an award ceiling of $0 and an award floor of $0. This typically indicates that award sizes may vary and are not strictly bounded in the summary fields, and applicants would normally rely on the full announcement for any practical budget guidance.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted, with the key limitation that applicants must not be employed by a U.S. federal agency. Individuals may apply, as well as people affiliated with universities, state agencies, Tribal governments or organizations, industry, or other private-sector groups. Affiliation is not required as long as the applicant can conduct research consistent with MRP goals.
Are U.S. federal agencies or U.S. federal employees eligible to apply?
No. Proposals from U.S. government agencies or U.S. government employees are explicitly ineligible.
Are Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) eligible?
No. Proposals from FFRDCs are explicitly ineligible.
Are there restrictions related to conflicts of interest?
Yes. Proposals where there is a real conflict of interest, or even the appearance of one, are explicitly ineligible.
Is U.S. citizenship required to apply?
No. The notice states that U.S. citizenship is not required.
Can foreign organizations apply?
Yes. Foreign organizations can apply, but proposals must be submitted in English and budgets must be presented in U.S. dollars.
Can the research be performed outside the United States?
Yes. Research performed in foreign countries is allowed when the work is clearly tied back to U.S. needs, such as producing knowledge, datasets, or methods that improve understanding of U.S. mineral resource questions.
Are there any special considerations for awards involving foreign governments?
Yes. Awards that involve foreign governments may require extra coordination and approval through the U.S. Department of State.
Are there banking or payment requirements for foreign recipients?
Yes. The notice highlights that foreign recipients may need a U.S. corresponding bank and must complete Standard Form 1199A for direct deposit.
What funding instruments are used under MRERP?
MRERP uses grants and, in some cases, cooperative agreements to support research and bring in non-federal expertise aligned with USGS mineral resource goals.
What is the difference between a grant and a cooperative agreement in this context?
The announcement indicates that USGS may choose a grant or a cooperative agreement depending on how much USGS expects to be involved and what role it will play during the project. More substantial expected USGS involvement tends to align with using a cooperative agreement.
Can applicants collaborate with federal scientists or USGS staff?
Yes. Collaboration with federal scientists, including USGS staff, is allowed.
Can federal employees receive MRERP funds if they collaborate?
No. Federal employees may serve as collaborators, but they cannot receive MRERP funds for salary or other expenses.
Can USGS personnel help an external applicant write or prepare a proposal?
No. The notice states that USGS personnel are not allowed to assist external organizations in preparing proposals for competitive funding, even though discussion and coordination may be encouraged.
Can MRERP fund only part of a collaborative project?
Yes. The announcement notes that MRERP may fund only part of a collaborative study or only some of the collaborating applicants, depending on program needs and review outcomes.
Where can applicants find full application requirements and the research topic eligibility scope?
The announcement directs applicants to Grants.gov for the full requirements, application instructions, and the specific "Research Topic Eligibility" scope referenced in the eligibility language.
Who should be contacted for access issues related to the opportunity?
For access issues, the listed point of contact is Faith Graves at 703-648-7356 or fgraves@usgs.gov.
How is this opportunity classified in terms of activity type?
In the public summary, the activity is classified under science and technology and other research and development.
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