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Minerals Resources External Research Program
Geochronology of mineralizing systems; Characterization of mine waste using state-of-the-art analytical techniques; Reconstruction of structurally dismembered mineral systems; Service lifetimes of mineral end uses.
The Department of the Interior protects and provides access to the Nation's natural and cultural heritage, including responsibilities to Indian tribes and island communities. Departmental goals include resource protection and usage, overseeing recreational opportunities, serving communities and excellence in management.
Program Accomplishments
Since its initiation in 2004, the Mineral Resource External Research Program (MRERP) has awarded more than $1.8 million to 30 different research projects across the country. The MRERP has funded projects covering mineral deposit genesis, regional controls on minerals systems, mineral environmental characteristics of ore deposits, and materials flow studies.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Specific objectives are identified in the annual program announcement.
Applications for research projects not covered by one of the objectives are not solicited.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Colleges, universities, profit-making, and nonprofit organizations, and State and local governments may make application for support by a named principal investigator.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Research scientists and the general public will ultimately benefit from the program.
Credentials/Documentation
Proposals must furnish evidence of the applicant's qualifications for performance of the proposed research.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
This program is subject to the Department of the Interior regulation at 43 CFR Part 12, Subparts C and D, or any subsequent revisions. The application requirements as contained in the announcement package and the above regulations must be used for this program. Applications may be announcements are available through the internet site http://www.usgs.gov/contracts/grants/.
Award Procedures
Notification of an award is by a grant or cooperative agreement document signed by a contracting officer.
Deadlines
Deadline for proposals for funding in fiscal year 2009 is February 27, 2009.
Authorization
30 U.S.C. 1601 et. seq.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 7 to 9 months.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
No statuatory requirement. Recipients are encouraged to share in the cost of each research project.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Grants and cooperative agreements will normally be awarded in 12 or 24 month budget periods.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Progress reports covering each year's activities and final technical and financial reports are required and must be submitted electronically as described in the award package.
Audits
Applicants agree to give the sponsoring agency, the Comptroller General or other authorized audit agency access to and the right to examine records related to the award. Awards to educational institutions and nonprofit organizations are subject to the audit requirements of OMB Circular No. A-110, or superseding regulations. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 or more in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
All records must be maintained for 3 years after submission of the final financial report.
Financial Information
Account Identification
14-0804-0-1-306.
Obigations
FY 07 $0; FY 08 est $115,478; and FY 09 est not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$15,000 to $151,000; $60,303.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Not applicable.
Headquarters Office
Jeff Doebrich, Associate Coordinator, Mineral Resources Program, Geological Survey, 913 National Center, Reston VA 20192. Telephone: (703) 648-6103. Use same number for FTS. Fax: (703) 648-6057. E-mail address: mrerp@usgs.gov .
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Panels composed of expert scientists drawn from government, universities, and private industry evaluate all assistance applications. Criteria for judging applications includes: relevance and timeliness of the proposed research to the goals of the program; technical quality of the proposal; competence of the principal investigator and recipient organization; and appropriateness and reasonbleness of the budget.
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