Opportunity Information: Apply for S16AS00005
Apply for S16AS00005
- The Office of Surface Mining in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Science and Technology Projects Related to Coal Mining and Reclamation" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.255 Science and Technology Projects Related to Coal Mining and Reclamation.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 29, 2015 and posted on Jul 29, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 3, 2015 The proposal application must be received by November 3, 2015. See attached RFP for additional details.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,900,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Department of the Interior's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) offered this discretionary grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number S16AS00005) to support applied science and technology work that improves coal mining practices and the reclamation of lands affected by mining. The goal is practical, field-relevant research that helps regulators and practitioners implement the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) more effectively, especially where mining creates public safety risks or long-term environmental impacts. While the broader Science and Technology Program covers multiple project types, the solicitation emphasized that proposed FY 2016 funding was intended for applied science projects only, and it also clearly stated that there was no guarantee of funding because money would only become available if Congress approved it in the FY 2016 budget.
The program framework includes three related categories of work. First are applied science projects that develop and demonstrate improved technologies addressing safety and environmental issues tied to coal extraction and post-mining reclamation. Second are underground mine map projects focused on collecting, preserving, and digitizing underground mine maps and related geologic or hydrologic datasets that are important for miner safety, mine pool evaluation, mine subsidence investigations, and broader public and environmental protection. Third are data conversion projects that digitize mine permit data and maps so the information can be used in GIS systems accessible to federal, state, and tribal agencies for evaluating environmental impacts of coal mining and reclamation. Even though all three areas are described as part of the overall program, this particular request centered on applied science proposals and required them to align with a defined set of eligible issues.
Funding and award mechanics were fairly straightforward. Individual applicants could request up to $200,000, with no cost sharing or matching requirement. OSMRE anticipated making around eight awards, drawing from an estimated total funding amount of $1.9 million. Awards were expected to be issued as cooperative agreements (or as interagency agreements when another federal agency is involved), which typically means OSMRE would anticipate substantial involvement during the project rather than operating as a hands-off funder. Projects could run for a period consistent with the proposal but could not exceed two years from the date of award. No-cost extensions were possible, but only when needed to finish the work and only when delays were documented as beyond the control of the principal investigator.
Eligibility was limited to institutions of higher education, including private universities and public/state-controlled universities. Applications were due November 3, 2015 (original and current closing date were the same), and proposals had to follow the included proposal preparation instructions and review process described in the RFP. A key gatekeeping rule was that OSMRE would only accept proposals that clearly addressed one of the specific eligible issues. If the Applied Science Program Team reached consensus that a submission did not clearly fit one of the listed issues, it would be returned without further consideration.
For this solicitation, OSMRE identified six eligible issues, each tied to applied, decision-relevant research needs. One focus area was comprehensive ecosystem restoration through geomorphic reclamation, reflecting interest in reclamation designs that create stable landforms resembling natural terrain and that better restore ecosystem form and function. OSMRE highlighted the need to quantify environmental benefits relative to economic costs, and to explore enhancements to geomorphic practices that would better support native species recovery. The agency also emphasized pairing surface landform work with subsurface reclamation techniques to reestablish hydrologic balance and reduce water quality degradation.
Another issue targeted the Forestry Reclamation Approach (FRA) in Appalachia and its effect on stream runoff behavior. OSMRE called for comprehensive studies evaluating whether FRA improves stormflow attenuation, reduces peak discharges, and helps reestablish base flows, water quality, and overall streamflow characteristics compared with non-FRA methods. It also pointed to a narrower but important question: the short-term water quality impacts of FRA grading practices that place loose, weathered spoil (from oxidized zones) to promote root growth versus using more reduced spoil materials.
A third eligible issue dealt with improving soil conditions on abandoned mine lands in the arid western United States, where establishing native vegetation can be especially difficult. The solicitation noted that soil texture, pH, organic matter, and chemistry may need amendments to improve plant survival, and it encouraged studies on temporary cover crops that can break up compaction, add organic matter, reduce erosion, and limit water evaporation. The practical intent is to improve soil quality and permeability enough to enable longer-term establishment of native plant communities.
Mine pools and hydrology were another major topic, particularly the formation of mine pools in underground voids after mining stops and the risks that come with them. OSMRE identified both environmental and safety concerns: mine pool discharges can degrade streams and groundwater and can be expensive to treat, while failures of coal barriers or outcrops can cause sudden releases that threaten adjacent mines or the land surface. The agency sought improved modeling approaches that could predict, before closure, how mine pools might affect surface and groundwater resources, and it also wanted better prediction of post-mining steady-state water levels, including expected discharge volumes and discharge locations.
Water quality impacts from mining formed a broader eligible issue aimed at improving how science supports permitting and regulatory decisions. OSMRE pointed to the need for studies that improve prediction of long-term hydrologic consequences, including how geologic fault systems and other unexpected conditions might influence groundwater movement and availability. It also highlighted discharges containing high salinity and/or toxic metals that may impair stream ecology, calling for evaluations that characterize long-term chemical, physical, and biological impacts to streams from the end of grading and revegetation through the point when conditions stabilize. Examples mentioned included comparing aquatic biology outcomes at sites with excess spoil fills designed under modern practices to reduce pollution versus similar surface mines without excess spoil fills. The solicitation also flagged longwall and high-extraction underground mining as a source of impacts to the biological and hydrologic functions of streams, requesting comprehensive work to improve impact prediction and to evaluate the effectiveness of existing remedial measures and best available mitigation technologies.
The final highlighted issue concerned coal slurry impoundments and refuse dam stability, framed as a public safety priority given that more than 200 coal waste tailings dams in the U.S. were classified as high hazard potential under FEMA's hazard rating system. Building on OSMRE-funded laboratory work on refuse geotechnical properties and blasting effects on embankment stability, the agency called for in situ field studies of fine coal refuse behavior as it exists after placement in coal refuse dams. Specifically, it sought data on how fine refuse characteristics change after years of deposition and after loading associated with upstream dam construction and final reclamation, including evaluations of both short- and long-term stability under static and impact loading.
Administrative details included the program listing under CFDA 15.255, a posting date of July 29, 2015, and an archive date of July 29, 2018. Additional information was available through OSMRE's applied science program webpage, and a contact person (Debbie Dale) was provided for applicants who had trouble accessing the full announcement electronically.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is this grant opportunity?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity from the Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), under Funding Opportunity Number S16AS00005. It supports applied science and technology work intended to improve coal mining practices and the reclamation of lands affected by mining.
2) What is the main goal of the program?
The goal is practical, field-relevant research that helps regulators and practitioners implement the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) more effectively, especially in situations where mining creates public safety risks or long-term environmental impacts.
3) Is this solicitation for basic research or applied research?
This solicitation emphasized applied science proposals only. While the broader Science and Technology Program includes multiple project types, the FY 2016 funding described in this request was intended for applied science projects.
4) What types of work are included in the broader program framework?
The overall program framework describes three related categories:
- Applied science projects that develop and demonstrate improved technologies addressing safety and environmental issues tied to coal extraction and post-mining reclamation.
- Underground mine map projects focused on collecting, preserving, and digitizing underground mine maps and related geologic/hydrologic datasets for safety and environmental protection uses.
- Data conversion projects to digitize mine permit data and maps so the information can be used in GIS systems accessible to federal, state, and tribal agencies.
Even though these categories are described as part of the overall program, this particular request centered on applied science proposals and required alignment with specific eligible issues.
5) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility was limited to institutions of higher education, including private universities and public/state-controlled universities.
6) How much funding can an applicant request?
An individual applicant could request up to $200,000.
7) Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity stated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.
8) How much total funding was expected and how many awards were anticipated?
OSMRE estimated a total funding amount of $1.9 million and anticipated making around eight awards.
9) Is funding guaranteed?
No. The solicitation stated there was no guarantee of funding because money would only become available if Congress approved it in the FY 2016 budget.
10) What type of award instrument would be used?
Awards were expected to be issued as cooperative agreements (or as interagency agreements when another federal agency is involved). Cooperative agreements typically involve substantial involvement by OSMRE during the project rather than a hands-off relationship.
11) How long can the project period be?
The project period could be consistent with the proposal but could not exceed two years from the date of award.
12) Are no-cost extensions allowed?
Yes, no-cost extensions were possible, but only when needed to finish the work and only when delays were documented as beyond the control of the principal investigator.
13) What was the application deadline?
Applications were due November 3, 2015. The original and current closing date were the same.
14) What proposal format or process had to be followed?
Proposals had to follow the proposal preparation instructions and review process described in the RFP.
15) What is the key eligibility screen for whether a proposal will be reviewed?
OSMRE would only accept proposals that clearly addressed one of the specific eligible issues listed in the solicitation. If the Applied Science Program Team reached consensus that a submission did not clearly fit one of the listed issues, it would be returned without further consideration.
16) What are the eligible issues applicants had to address?
OSMRE identified six eligible issues tied to applied, decision-relevant research needs:
- Comprehensive ecosystem restoration through geomorphic reclamation.
- Forestry Reclamation Approach (FRA) in Appalachia and effects on stream runoff behavior.
- Improving soil conditions on abandoned mine lands in the arid western United States.
- Mine pools and hydrology, including prediction and modeling of mine pool behavior and impacts.
- Water quality impacts from mining to improve science used for permitting and regulatory decisions.
- Coal slurry impoundments and refuse dam stability (in situ field studies of fine coal refuse behavior and stability).
17) What kinds of projects fit under geomorphic reclamation and ecosystem restoration?
The solicitation described interest in reclamation designs that create stable landforms resembling natural terrain and better restore ecosystem form and function. It highlighted the need to quantify environmental benefits relative to economic costs, explore enhancements that better support native species recovery, and pair surface landform work with subsurface reclamation techniques to reestablish hydrologic balance and reduce water quality degradation.
18) What FRA-related research questions did OSMRE highlight?
OSMRE called for comprehensive studies evaluating whether the Forestry Reclamation Approach improves stormflow attenuation, reduces peak discharges, and helps reestablish base flows, water quality, and overall streamflow characteristics compared with non-FRA methods. It also highlighted a more specific question about short-term water quality impacts of FRA grading practices, including placing loose, weathered spoil (from oxidized zones) to promote root growth versus using more reduced spoil materials.
19) What soil improvement work was encouraged for arid western abandoned mine lands?
The solicitation noted that establishing native vegetation can be difficult in arid western environments and suggested that soil texture, pH, organic matter, and chemistry may need amendments to improve plant survival. It encouraged studies on temporary cover crops that can break up compaction, add organic matter, reduce erosion, and limit water evaporation, with the practical aim of improving soil quality and permeability enough to enable longer-term establishment of native plant communities.
20) What mine pool and hydrology problems was OSMRE trying to address?
OSMRE emphasized that mine pools can form in underground voids after mining stops and can create both environmental and safety risks. Mine pool discharges can degrade streams and groundwater and can be expensive to treat. Failures of coal barriers or outcrops can also cause sudden releases that threaten adjacent mines or the land surface. The solicitation sought improved modeling approaches to predict, before closure, how mine pools might affect surface and groundwater resources, and better prediction of post-mining steady-state water levels, including expected discharge volumes and discharge locations.
21) What water quality topics related to permitting and regulation were included?
The solicitation aimed to improve prediction of long-term hydrologic consequences, including how geologic fault systems and other unexpected conditions might influence groundwater movement and availability. It also flagged discharges containing high salinity and/or toxic metals that may impair stream ecology, and called for evaluations characterizing long-term chemical, physical, and biological impacts to streams from the end of grading and revegetation through the point when conditions stabilize.
22) Did the opportunity mention examples of comparison studies for stream impacts?
Yes. One example mentioned was comparing aquatic biology outcomes at sites with excess spoil fills designed under modern practices to reduce pollution versus similar surface mines without excess spoil fills.
23) Were underground mining impacts included in the water quality issue area?
Yes. The solicitation flagged longwall and high-extraction underground mining as sources of impacts to the biological and hydrologic functions of streams, and requested comprehensive work to improve impact prediction and evaluate the effectiveness of existing remedial measures and best available mitigation technologies.
24) What was the focus of the coal slurry impoundment and refuse dam stability issue?
This issue was framed as a public safety priority, noting that more than 200 coal waste tailings dams in the U.S. were classified as high hazard potential under FEMA's hazard rating system. Building on prior OSMRE-funded laboratory work, OSMRE called for in situ field studies of fine coal refuse behavior after placement in coal refuse dams, including how characteristics change after years of deposition and after loading associated with upstream dam construction and final reclamation. The solicitation also called for evaluations of both short- and long-term stability under static and impact loading.
25) What is the CFDA number for this program listing?
The program listing was under CFDA 15.255.
26) When was the opportunity posted and when was it archived?
The posting date was July 29, 2015, and the archive date was July 29, 2018.
27) Where could applicants find additional information or help accessing the announcement?
Additional information was available through OSMRE's applied science program webpage. A contact person (Debbie Dale) was provided for applicants who had trouble accessing the full announcement electronically.
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