Opportunity Information: Apply for USGS FA 17 8384
This grant opportunity is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) discretionary cooperative agreement focused on improving scientific understanding of deeply buried Proterozoic basement rocks in northeastern Iowa, with a particular emphasis on the Northeast Iowa Intrusive Complex (NEIIC) and the major geologic boundary above it known as the Proterozoic-Paleozoic unconformity. The USGS Crustal Geophysics and Geochemistry Science Center is seeking to support joint research with Utah State University to better determine how these basement rocks formed, what they are made of, and whether they contain mineral resources of national significance. The work is motivated by the idea that the NEIIC consists largely of mafic (iron- and magnesium-rich) igneous rocks of Proterozoic age that may be genetically tied to the Midcontinent Rift System, a major rift-related tectonic feature that influenced the crustal evolution of the central United States and is known to be associated with certain types of mineralization.
A central challenge driving the opportunity is that the NEIIC is completely concealed beneath hundreds of meters of younger sedimentary strata, meaning it cannot be directly mapped at the surface. Only a limited number of boreholes in the region penetrate through the sedimentary cover into the crystalline basement, so direct samples and observations are scarce. Because of that, most previous interpretations of the NEIIC have depended heavily on geophysical datasets (such as magnetic and gravity measurements) that can image subsurface contrasts but often cannot uniquely identify rock types or structures without firm ground-truth constraints. The USGS notes that rigorous control on these geophysical interpretations is currently lacking, and the cooperative research is intended to strengthen the link between geophysical signatures and the actual geology, improving confidence in regional models of basement composition, intrusive architecture, and possible mineralized systems.
In addition to characterizing the basement itself, the opportunity highlights the importance of understanding the Proterozoic-Paleozoic unconformity in northeastern Iowa. This unconformity is the major boundary where much younger Paleozoic sedimentary rocks rest on much older Proterozoic crystalline basement, representing a long span of missing time and a surface that can influence fluid movement, rock alteration, and mechanical behavior in the subsurface. In this region, the unconformity is described as weakly constrained in terms of several fundamental properties that matter for both geologic and applied questions: its hydrogeologic character (how it transmits or impedes groundwater or other fluids), the present-day state of stress (relevant to fracture development and stability), the thermal regime (relevant to heat flow and alteration histories), and the degree and style of weathering (which can modify porosity, permeability, and geochemical signatures). Better constraining these factors would help clarify how the basement-sediment interface has evolved and how it may affect resource potential and subsurface behavior.
Administratively, the funding opportunity is identified as USGS FA 17 8384 under CFDA 15.808 and is offered by the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey. The instrument type is a cooperative agreement, indicating substantial federal involvement and collaboration rather than a hands-off grant. Eligibility is limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and the opportunity anticipates a single award with a ceiling of $60,000. The notice was created on July 1, 2017, with an original closing date of July 14, 2017. Overall, the award is designed to support a focused, collaborative research effort that reduces uncertainty in subsurface interpretations of the NEIIC and clarifies the nature of a key regional unconformity, with the broader goal of improving geologic understanding and assessing mineral potential in a poorly sampled, buried Precambrian terrane.Apply for USGS FA 17 8384
- The Department of the Interior, Geological Survey in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "The origin, character, and mineral potential of Proterozoic-age basement rocks and the nature of the Proterozoic-Paleozoic unconformity in northeastern Iowa" 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 Jul 01, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 14, 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 $60,000.00 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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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) discretionary cooperative agreement to support research that improves scientific understanding of deeply buried Proterozoic basement rocks in northeastern Iowa, with emphasis on the Northeast Iowa Intrusive Complex (NEIIC) and the Proterozoic-Paleozoic unconformity above it.
Which agency is offering the award?
The award is offered by the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), specifically involving the USGS Crustal Geophysics and Geochemistry Science Center.
What is the funding instrument type?
The instrument type is a cooperative agreement, which indicates substantial federal involvement and an expectation of active collaboration with USGS rather than a hands-off grant.
What is the opportunity identifier and CFDA number?
The opportunity is identified as USGS FA 17 8384 under CFDA 15.808.
Who is the anticipated research partner on the applicant side?
The USGS is seeking to support joint research with Utah State University.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education.
How many awards are anticipated?
The opportunity anticipates a single award.
What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $60,000.
When was the notice created and what was the closing date?
The notice was created on July 1, 2017, with an original closing date of July 14, 2017.
What geographic area is the research focused on?
The research focus is northeastern Iowa, particularly the region associated with the Northeast Iowa Intrusive Complex (NEIIC).
What are the key geologic targets of the research?
The main targets are (1) the deeply buried Proterozoic basement rocks of the NEIIC and (2) the major geologic boundary above it, the Proterozoic-Paleozoic unconformity.
Why is the Northeast Iowa Intrusive Complex (NEIIC) important in this opportunity?
The NEIIC is thought to consist largely of mafic (iron- and magnesium-rich) igneous rocks of Proterozoic age. It may be genetically tied to the Midcontinent Rift System, which is associated with certain types of mineralization and has influenced crustal evolution in the central United States.
Why is the NEIIC difficult to study?
The NEIIC is completely concealed beneath hundreds of meters of younger sedimentary strata, meaning it cannot be directly mapped at the surface. Only a limited number of boreholes reach the crystalline basement, so direct samples and observations are scarce.
What kinds of data have previous interpretations relied on?
Most prior interpretations have depended heavily on geophysical datasets such as magnetic and gravity measurements, which can image subsurface contrasts but often cannot uniquely identify rock types or structures without strong ground-truth constraints.
What problem is the cooperative research intended to address?
The USGS notes that rigorous control on geophysical interpretations is currently lacking. The cooperative research is intended to strengthen the link between geophysical signatures and actual geology, improving confidence in regional models of basement composition, intrusive architecture, and possible mineralized systems.
What is the Proterozoic-Paleozoic unconformity and why does it matter here?
It is the major boundary where younger Paleozoic sedimentary rocks rest on much older Proterozoic crystalline basement, representing a long interval of missing time. In northeastern Iowa, this boundary is important because it can influence fluid movement, rock alteration, and mechanical behavior in the subsurface.
Which properties of the Proterozoic-Paleozoic unconformity are described as weakly constrained?
The opportunity highlights several fundamental properties that are weakly constrained in this region: its hydrogeologic character, the present-day state of stress, the thermal regime, and the degree and style of weathering.
How could improving constraints on the unconformity help applied questions?
Better constraints could clarify how the basement-sediment interface evolved and how it may affect resource potential and subsurface behavior, including factors related to fluid flow, alteration histories, fracture development, and stability.
What is the broader scientific motivation behind studying the NEIIC?
A motivating idea is that the NEIIC may be related to the Midcontinent Rift System, a major tectonic feature that influenced crustal evolution in the central United States and is known to be associated with certain types of mineralization.
Is mineral resource potential part of the purpose of the work?
Yes. A stated goal is to better determine whether the buried basement rocks contain mineral resources of national significance, alongside understanding how the rocks formed and what they are made of.
What kinds of uncertainties is this award designed to reduce?
The award is designed to reduce uncertainty in subsurface interpretations of the NEIIC and to clarify the nature of the Proterozoic-Paleozoic unconformity, improving regional understanding of basement composition, intrusive architecture, and potential mineralized systems in a poorly sampled, buried Precambrian terrane.
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