Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G24AS00357

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the funding opportunity number for this announcement?

The funding opportunity number is G24AS00357.

Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), listed under the Geological Survey (USGS).

Which USGS office is leading the work described in this opportunity?

The opportunity is issued through the USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center.

What type of award is this?

This is a discretionary cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement typically involves active participation and collaboration by USGS during the project.

What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement rather than a traditional grant?

Based on the description provided, USGS expects substantial collaboration with the recipient. This may include coordination on monitoring methods, data needs, study design, interpretation of results, and ensuring the work aligns with Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program (MsCIP) monitoring objectives.

What is the purpose of this funding opportunity?

The purpose is to support continued monitoring and applied research on Mississippi's barrier islands, with a specific focus on understanding how recent and ongoing barrier island restoration efforts are affecting submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) communities.

What geographic area is the project focused on?

The project is focused on Mississippi's barrier islands and associated nearshore and lagoonal habitats where SAV communities are influenced by restoration activities.

How is this work connected to the Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program (MsCIP)?

The monitoring and applied research described in the opportunity is tied to MsCIP, and the intent is to maintain continuity of MsCIP-related science through a formal collaboration between USGS and an eligible partner organization.

What is being monitored or studied?

The monitoring and applied research are centered on submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) communities, specifically how they respond after barrier island restoration activities.

Why is submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) a focus of this opportunity?

SAV is described as ecologically important and sensitive to environmental change, making it a meaningful indicator of broader habitat condition. Because restoration can alter environmental drivers that influence SAV, tracking SAV responses helps evaluate ecological restoration success.

What kinds of environmental changes from restoration are relevant to SAV in this project?

The opportunity notes that barrier island restoration can change wave energy, sediment movement, salinity patterns, water clarity, and other conditions that directly influence SAV communities.

Is the project focused on ecological outcomes or construction deliverables?

The project is focused on ecological outcomes. It is intended to measure whether restoration is working in ecological terms, not simply in terms of construction outputs.

Does the opportunity emphasize short-term monitoring, long-term monitoring, or both?

Both. The opportunity states that evaluating restoration success requires tracking short-term and long-term ecosystem responses, and the monitoring is aimed at documenting SAV community responses following restoration activities.

Under what program framework is this award being issued?

This award is being issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program, which is a partnership framework used by federal agencies to work with academic and other qualified partners on research, technical assistance, and education.

Who is eligible to apply?

Only organizations that are official, participating partners in the Gulf Coast CESU are eligible to apply. Eligibility is limited to the CESU network rather than being open to all institutions.

If an organization is not a Gulf Coast CESU partner, can it apply?

No. The opportunity states that only official, participating partners in the Gulf Coast CESU are eligible.

What is the funding ceiling for this opportunity?

The funding ceiling is $33,000.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 15.808.

What is the funding activity category?

The funding activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

When was this opportunity posted?

The posting was created on May 7, 2024.

What is the application closing date?

The original application closing date is June 7, 2024.

What is the overall intent of this relatively small-scale award?

The intent is to maintain continuity in MsCIP-related science by supporting field monitoring and analysis that documents SAV ecosystem responses to barrier island restoration in Mississippi.

What outcomes are expected from the funded work?

The expected outcome is improved understanding of how restoration actions are shaping nearshore and lagoonal habitat conditions over time. The resulting evidence can be used to judge project effectiveness and help guide future restoration and coastal management decisions.

What role does collaboration play in this opportunity?

Collaboration is central. The CESU structure and the cooperative agreement format both signal that substantial collaboration between USGS and the recipient is expected throughout the project.