Opportunity Information: Apply for USGS FA 16 0135
Apply for USGS FA 16 0135
- The DOI-USGS1 in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Notice of Intent - Imaging Near-Fault Earthquake Deformation with Integrated SAR, LiDAR, and Optical Measurements" 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 Apr 22, 2016 and posted on Apr 22, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 06, 2016. (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 $222,194.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Notice of Intent titled "Imaging Near-Fault Earthquake Deformation with Integrated SAR, LiDAR, and Optical Measurements" is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) discretionary funding opportunity under the Department of the Interior. It signals the agency's plan to issue a cooperative agreement specifically to the University of Houston in support of a named proposal focused on improving how scientists observe and quantify ground deformation very close to active faults. The core scientific aim is to better characterize subtle, often hard-to-detect fault movements, including slow, continuous slip known as fault creep, by combining multiple complementary measurement technologies that operate at different spatial scales and with different strengths.
This opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number USGS FA 16 0135) falls under the Natural Resources funding activity category and is associated with CFDA (now commonly referred to as Assistance Listing) number 15.808. The funding instrument type is a cooperative agreement, which generally means the USGS anticipates having substantial involvement in the project beyond simply providing funds. In practice, that can include collaboration on technical approaches, coordination on data collection or analysis plans, shared expertise, and alignment with broader USGS earthquake hazards and geodetic monitoring priorities.
The project itself centers on integrated geodetic imaging of near-fault deformation using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), LiDAR, and optical measurements. SAR, typically used via satellite or airborne platforms, can detect surface deformation over broad areas and is well known for interferometric applications (InSAR) that reveal centimeter- to millimeter-scale ground motion patterns over time. LiDAR, often collected from aircraft or terrestrial scanners, provides extremely detailed topographic and surface change measurements, capturing fine-scale geomorphic features and subtle elevation differences that can help resolve deformation close to a fault trace. Optical measurements, which can include high-resolution imagery and feature tracking techniques, add another layer of surface displacement information and can be particularly useful for mapping horizontal offsets and correlating visible surface changes with deformation signals observed in radar and LiDAR datasets. By integrating these methods, the project aims to overcome the limitations of any single dataset and produce a more complete, higher-confidence picture of how the ground is moving near faults, especially where motion is small, spatially complex, or occurs in narrow zones.
The expected outcome is an improved ability to measure deformation at multiple scales, from broad regional patterns down to near-fault details that may control or signal how stress is accumulating and being released. Better characterization of creeping behavior is especially important because creeping segments of faults can influence seismic hazard in complicated ways: creep can relieve some stress aseismically, but it can also interact with locked sections, potentially affecting where strain accumulates and how rupture might propagate in future earthquakes. The emphasis on near-fault imaging reflects the fact that the most diagnostically important deformation signals can be concentrated very close to the fault, where measurement challenges are greatest and where combining technologies can provide clearer answers than relying on one method alone.
Administratively, the opportunity was posted and created on April 22, 2016, with an original and current closing date of May 6, 2016. It lists an award ceiling of $222,194, with one expected award, reflecting the intent to fund a single, specific recipient rather than run a broad open competition. Eligible applicants are described as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, though the description makes clear that the intended recipient for this cooperative agreement is the University of Houston. Overall, the notice communicates a targeted investment by the USGS in advancing integrated remote sensing and geodetic approaches for monitoring and understanding near-fault earthquake deformation and fault creep.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a US Geological Survey (USGS) Notice of Intent titled "Imaging Near-Fault Earthquake Deformation with Integrated SAR, LiDAR, and Optical Measurements." It is a discretionary funding opportunity under the Department of the Interior and is associated with Funding Opportunity Number USGS FA 16 0135.
What is the purpose of a Notice of Intent in this case?
The notice signals the USGS plan to issue a cooperative agreement to support a specific, named proposal. Based on the information provided, it is not presented as a broad, open competition; it communicates a targeted planned award.
Who is the intended recipient of the award?
The intended recipient is the University of Houston, as the notice describes a cooperative agreement specifically to that institution in support of a named proposal.
Who is listed as eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are described as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. However, the notice also makes clear that the planned cooperative agreement is specifically intended for the University of Houston.
What type of funding instrument will be used?
The instrument type is a cooperative agreement.
What does a cooperative agreement imply about USGS involvement?
A cooperative agreement generally indicates that the USGS expects substantial involvement beyond providing funds. The notice suggests involvement can include collaboration on technical approaches, coordination on data collection or analysis plans, shared expertise, and alignment with broader USGS earthquake hazards and geodetic monitoring priorities.
What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?
The opportunity falls under the Natural Resources funding activity category.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number associated with this opportunity?
The associated CFDA (now commonly referred to as an Assistance Listing) number is 15.808.
What is the scientific focus of the proposed project?
The project focuses on improving how scientists observe and quantify ground deformation very close to active faults, including subtle movements such as fault creep (slow, continuous slip). The approach emphasizes integrated geodetic imaging near fault traces where deformation signals can be small, spatially complex, or concentrated within narrow zones.
What measurement technologies are being integrated?
The project integrates Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), LiDAR, and optical measurements to characterize near-fault earthquake deformation.
How is SAR used in this project context?
SAR (often via satellite or airborne platforms) is used to detect surface deformation over broad areas. The notice highlights interferometric SAR (InSAR) applications that can reveal centimeter- to millimeter-scale ground motion patterns over time.
How is LiDAR used in this project context?
LiDAR (often collected from aircraft or terrestrial scanners) provides very detailed topography and surface change measurements. It can capture fine-scale geomorphic features and subtle elevation differences that help resolve deformation close to a fault trace.
How are optical measurements used in this project context?
Optical measurements can include high-resolution imagery and feature tracking techniques. They add surface displacement information and can be useful for mapping horizontal offsets and relating visible surface changes to deformation signals found in SAR and LiDAR datasets.
Why combine SAR, LiDAR, and optical measurements instead of using one dataset?
The notice describes the integration as a way to overcome limitations of any single dataset. By combining complementary methods that operate at different spatial scales and have different strengths, the project aims to produce a more complete and higher-confidence picture of how the ground is moving near faults.
What is meant by "near-fault deformation" in this notice?
Near-fault deformation refers to ground movement occurring very close to an active fault. The notice emphasizes this zone because important deformation signals can be concentrated near the fault trace, where measurement challenges are often greatest.
What is fault creep, and why is it important here?
Fault creep is slow, continuous slip on a fault that occurs without a typical earthquake rupture. The notice highlights improved characterization of creeping behavior because creep can relieve stress aseismically, but it can also interact with locked fault sections and influence where strain accumulates and how rupture might propagate in future earthquakes.
What outcomes does the notice say are expected from the project?
The expected outcome is an improved ability to measure deformation at multiple scales, from broad regional patterns down to detailed near-fault motion. This is intended to support better understanding of how stress accumulates and is released near active faults, including better characterization of fault creep.
How many awards are expected?
One award is expected, consistent with the notice describing a single, specific intended recipient rather than a broad competitive program.
What is the award ceiling?
The award ceiling listed is $222,194.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted and created on April 22, 2016. The original and current closing date is May 6, 2016.
Which federal agency and department are associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is issued by the US Geological Survey (USGS) under the Department of the Interior.
What does "discretionary funding opportunity" mean in this context?
Based on the notice description, it indicates a USGS funding opportunity offered at the agency's discretion and, in this case, tied to a planned cooperative agreement supporting a specific project and recipient.
What does the project aim to improve for earthquake hazards work?
The notice frames the work as advancing integrated remote sensing and geodetic approaches for monitoring and understanding near-fault earthquake deformation and fault creep, aligned with broader USGS earthquake hazards and geodetic monitoring priorities.
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