Opportunity Information: Apply for USGS 17 FAC 0382

The Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announced a discretionary funding opportunity titled "Comparative Studies of the Surfaces of Several Small Bodies in the Solar System" under Funding Opportunity Number USGS 17 FAC 0382. The opportunity was issued as a non-competitive cooperative agreement, meaning the USGS intended to make a single award to a specific partner or a narrowly defined eligible entity rather than running an open competition among many applicants. In a cooperative agreement, the agency typically expects to be substantially involved in the work after award, which can include collaboration on technical direction, data coordination, review of interim results, and alignment with broader USGS scientific goals.

The focus implied by the title is comparative planetary science research centered on the surface properties of multiple small bodies in the solar system. "Small bodies" commonly refers to objects such as asteroids, comets, dwarf-planet satellites, and other minor planetary bodies, and "comparative studies" generally means analyzing similarities and differences across more than one target object. Work of this kind often includes interpreting remote sensing observations and derived products such as spectral measurements, photometric behavior, thermal properties, morphology, cratering, regolith characteristics, and compositional indicators. Comparative surface analysis can help scientists understand processes like space weathering, impact gardening, volatile loss, thermal evolution, and surface-atmosphere or surface-exosphere interactions (when present), and can support broader objectives such as mission planning, target selection, geologic mapping approaches, and the development or validation of analytical techniques used across datasets from different instruments or missions.

Administratively, the award was listed with an award ceiling of $345,000 and an expectation of one award. The CFDA number associated with the opportunity was 15.808, indicating it fell under a USGS assistance program category used for certain research and related support activities. The opportunity category was marked as discretionary, and the activity category was listed as "Other," suggesting the work did not fit neatly into standard pre-labeled grant activity classifications and required a clarifying narrative in the original posting. Eligibility was described broadly as "Others," with additional details intended to be provided in an eligibility clarification field, a structure that is commonly used when the award is targeted to a specific type of organization, a particular collaborator, or another narrowly defined applicant pool consistent with a non-competitive action.

In terms of timing, the opportunity record indicates a creation date of August 5, 2017, with an original closing date of August 15, 2017. That short window is consistent with notices that are administrative in nature, targeted, or intended to formalize an anticipated collaboration rather than solicit a wide range of proposals. Overall, the listing describes a single, capped, non-competitive cooperative agreement administered by the USGS to support research comparing the surfaces of multiple small bodies, with agency involvement expected during the period of performance and a total potential federal funding amount up to $345,000.

  • The Department of the Interior, Geological Survey in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Comparative Studies of the Surfaces of Several Small Bodies in the Solar System" 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 Aug 05, 2017.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 15, 2017. (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 $345,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
Apply for USGS 17 FAC 0382

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the title of this funding opportunity?

The funding opportunity is titled "Comparative Studies of the Surfaces of Several Small Bodies in the Solar System."

Which agency is offering this opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is USGS 17 FAC 0382.

What type of funding opportunity is this (competitive or non-competitive)?

This was issued as a non-competitive cooperative agreement. That indicates USGS intended to make a single award to a specific partner or a narrowly defined eligible entity, rather than running an open competition.

What is a cooperative agreement in this context?

A cooperative agreement is a type of federal assistance award where the agency typically expects to be substantially involved in the work after the award is made. Based on the posting description, that involvement can include collaboration on technical direction, data coordination, review of interim results, and ensuring the work aligns with broader USGS scientific goals.

How many awards were expected?

The opportunity record indicates an expectation of one award.

What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling listed for this opportunity was $345,000.

What is the total potential federal funding amount?

The listing describes a total potential federal funding amount up to $345,000, consistent with the stated award ceiling and the expectation of a single award.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number associated with this opportunity is 15.808.

What does the CFDA number 15.808 indicate?

The opportunity states that CFDA 15.808 is associated with a USGS assistance program category used for certain research and related support activities.

What is the opportunity category?

The opportunity category was marked as discretionary.

What is the listed activity category?

The activity category was listed as "Other," suggesting the work did not fit neatly into standard pre-labeled grant activity classifications and that a clarifying narrative would be needed in the original posting.

What is the main scientific focus implied by the title?

The title implies comparative planetary science research focused on the surface properties of multiple small bodies in the solar system, emphasizing comparisons across more than one target object.

What does "small bodies" mean here?

In this context, "small bodies" commonly refers to objects such as asteroids, comets, dwarf-planet satellites, and other minor planetary bodies.

What does "comparative studies" mean for this project?

"Comparative studies" generally means analyzing similarities and differences across more than one target object, rather than focusing on only a single body.

What kinds of data or observations might be involved in surface comparative studies?

The description notes that this kind of work often includes interpreting remote sensing observations and derived products such as spectral measurements, photometric behavior, thermal properties, morphology, cratering, regolith characteristics, and compositional indicators.

What scientific questions or processes could this research help address?

According to the description, comparative surface analysis can help scientists understand processes including space weathering, impact gardening, volatile loss, thermal evolution, and surface-atmosphere or surface-exosphere interactions (when present).

How could the results be used beyond basic research?

The opportunity summary indicates this type of research can support broader objectives such as mission planning, target selection, geologic mapping approaches, and the development or validation of analytical techniques used across datasets from different instruments or missions.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was described broadly as "Others," with additional details intended to be provided in an eligibility clarification field. This structure is commonly used when an award is targeted to a specific type of organization, a particular collaborator, or another narrowly defined applicant pool consistent with a non-competitive action.

What does it mean that eligibility was listed as "Others"?

It means the listing did not rely on a standard eligibility label alone and instead pointed to an eligibility clarification field for the specific definition. The summary also indicates this can be typical when the award is targeted and not broadly open.

When was the opportunity created?

The opportunity record indicates a creation date of August 5, 2017.

What was the original closing date?

The original closing date listed was August 15, 2017.

How long was the application window?

Based on the creation date (August 5, 2017) and the closing date (August 15, 2017), the window shown in the record was about 10 days.

What does the short application window suggest?

The summary notes that a short window like this can be consistent with notices that are administrative in nature, targeted, or intended to formalize an anticipated collaboration rather than solicit a wide range of proposals.

Does the listing indicate USGS would be involved after the award is made?

Yes. Because it is described as a cooperative agreement, the summary states that USGS typically expects substantial involvement after award, which can include technical collaboration, coordination of data, review of interim results, and alignment with broader USGS scientific goals.

Is this opportunity described as a discretionary funding opportunity?

Yes. The opportunity category is marked as discretionary.

What is the overall summary of the opportunity?

Overall, the listing describes a single, capped, non-competitive cooperative agreement administered by the USGS to support research comparing the surfaces of multiple small bodies in the solar system, with agency involvement expected during performance and a total potential federal funding amount up to $345,000.

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