STATEMAP Funding

Rusty albitic schist of the Cambrian age Hazens Notch Formation. Little River Reservoir, Waterbury, Vermont.

Since 1993, more than $55 million from NCGMP have supported STATEMAP geologic mapping efforts in 48 states. This amount has been matched with an equal amount from State Geological Surveys. These historical funding data may be viewed in a downloadable spreadsheet.

Funding Milestones

STATEMAP Funding Application Process

Each year in late summer, the STATEMAP Program Announcement is distributed online. Detailed instructions for submitting STATEMAP proposals can be found in the Program Announcement. It is imperative that they be precisely followed.

Applications are processed through the Grants.gov Web site. The State Geological Surveys have until early November to complete their project proposals and submit them online to the USGS Office of Acquisitions and Grants, where they are processed and then forwarded to the NCGMP for evaluation. Copies of the proposals are sent to the STATEMAP Evaluation Panel, which meets in early December to evaluate each proposal. Once funding levels are finalized for the current fiscal year, the Program Coordinator/s determine the amount to be allocated to each STATEMAP proposal. Funds are distributed to individual State Geological Surveys according to their project start dates.

The actual amount of Federal funding that is available each year to the STATEMAP component is based on a formula determined by the National Geologic Mapping Act and its latest reauthorization.

Proposal Prioritization

The geologic mapping that the NCGMP funds through the STATEMAP component of the Program is determined by two processes. State Mapping Advisory Committees set the geologic mapping priorities for each State, and the STATEMAP Panel evaluates the proposed STATEMAP projects and their relation to NCGMP priorities.

State Mapping Advisory Committees

Geologic mapping priorities for each State are set with the advice of its State Mapping Advisory Committee (SMAC), which includes representatives from private industry, geotechnical consultants, Federal, State, and county officials, and academia. Current customer needs for geologic maps are considered and priorities set for mapping those areas where geologic maps are lacking or need improvement. Each State uses this information to determine the geologic mapping that will be conducted by its State Geological Survey and the projects that will be proposed to STATEMAP.

Evaluation Panel

A National STATEMAP Evaluation Panel, which has three USGS representatives and five State Geologists, meets each December to integrate State mapping priorities with NCGMP priorities and evaluate STATEMAP proposals. Each proposal is given a numerical score based on scientific and technical quality, consistency with SMAC priorities, project justification, budget, and past performance. The amount of funding is tied directly to this score.

Evaluation of Deliverables

Each project has one year from its start date to complete the project and submit the agreed-upon deliverables, although an extension of a few months may be granted. These products are examined by the Program Coordinator/s, and if the products are not received by the due date, or the quality does not meet agreed-upon terms, the State is not eligible for funding in the next proposal cycle.