Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G24AS00341

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What agency and office are offering this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) through its Southwest Biological Science Center (SBSC).

What type of award is being solicited?

The solicitation is for a small, research-focused cooperative agreement issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program.

Why is this a cooperative agreement instead of a typical grant?

Because it is a CESU-funded effort, it is structured as a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates that USGS expects substantial involvement during the project. That involvement may include coordination on research design, interpretation of results, or development of products intended for management use.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to active, participating partners of the Colorado Plateau CESU.

Is this opportunity open to organizations outside the Colorado Plateau CESU?

Based on the posting details provided, eligibility is limited to active, participating partners of the Colorado Plateau CESU, so non-partners would not be eligible under this solicitation.

What is the overall purpose of the project?

The project is intended to help build a broader program of science and decision support for managing large western landscapes experiencing increasing stress from climate change, persistent drought, wildfire, and shifting land uses. A key practical aim is strengthening the connection between emerging ecological data products and real-world land management decisions.

What are the main research priority areas?

The priorities are framed around three connected goals:

1. Improving understanding of how new soil and vegetation mapping products can be used to support better land management decisions across western lands.
2. Improving land-potential based decision tools, including specific mention of state-and-transition models.
3. Increasing understanding of how drought and herbivory (grazing and other plant consumption by animals) affect western ecosystems.

What kinds of mapping products does this opportunity emphasize?

The opportunity emphasizes modern soil and vegetation mapping products and, in particular, how those datasets can be interpreted and incorporated into planning, monitoring, and restoration decisions.

What does “land-potential based decision tools” refer to in this opportunity?

It refers to tools that support management decisions based on what the land is capable of supporting and how it tends to respond to stressors and management actions. The solicitation specifically mentions state-and-transition models as an example of such tools.

What are state-and-transition models in the context of this solicitation?

State-and-transition models are described here as tools used to represent how ecosystems can change over time, what triggers changes (such as disturbance or management actions), and what pathways exist for recovery or degradation.

Why does the opportunity highlight drought and herbivory?

Drought and herbivory are highlighted because they strongly influence western ecosystem resilience, restoration outcomes, and rangeland or habitat management under increasing climatic stress.

What kinds of projects does the funding size suggest?

With an award ceiling of $30,000, the funding level suggests a modest, targeted effort such as a pilot study, synthesis, tool refinement, or a focused set of analyses that can feed into a larger program.

What is the maximum award amount?

The posting indicates an award ceiling of $30,000.

Is the funding described as discretionary?

Yes. The opportunity is listed as discretionary funding.

How is the opportunity categorized?

It is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number provided is 15.808.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is G24AS00341.

When was the opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on April 11, 2024.

What was the application closing date listed in the posting?

The original closing date for applications was May 13, 2024.

What is the intended management relevance of the funded work?

The work is expected to be collaborative and directly relevant to management needs, supporting decision-making for western landscapes, rather than being purely academic.

How does the CESU Program relate to the expected project approach?

CESUs are designed to connect federal agencies with partner institutions to provide research, technical assistance, and education. In this solicitation, that structure implies collaboration and an emphasis on science products and decision support that can be used in on-the-ground management.