Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Gulf Coast CESU | G18AS00035

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1) What is the title of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Gulf Coast CESU."

2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is G18AS00035.

3) Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

This is a discretionary funding announcement from the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

4) What type of funding instrument will be used?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.

5) What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement generally means the selected recipient would not simply receive funds to work independently. Instead, the project would be carried out in active coordination with USGS staff, with close collaboration between USGS and the selected CESU partner.

6) What is the general subject area or category of this opportunity?

The work falls under science and technology and other research and development.

7) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 15.808.

8) Which USGS office or center is associated with this announcement?

The opportunity is being offered through the USGS Alaska Science Center (ASC).

9) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to eligible partners within the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network, specifically the Gulf Coast CESU. In practice, this means the competition is aimed at institutions that are already formal CESU partners (often universities, nonprofits, or other research organizations affiliated with the CESU cooperative framework), rather than the general public.

10) Is this opportunity open to the general public?

No. The eligibility constraint indicates it is limited to formal CESU partners within the Gulf Coast CESU and is not aimed at the general public.

11) How many awards does the announcement anticipate making?

The announcement anticipates making one award.

12) What is the purpose of the project?

The core purpose is to support research that helps stakeholders refine and strengthen the shared understanding of the ecology of IAVs within the Atlantic Flyway of the United States.

13) What does "IAVs" refer to in this announcement?

"IAVs" refers to influenza A viruses.

14) Why is the Atlantic Flyway specifically mentioned?

The Atlantic Flyway is one of the major north-south migratory routes for birds in North America. The announcement frames it as a critical region for understanding how avian hosts, habitats, and movement patterns may shape influenza A virus distribution and dynamics.

15) Who are the intended users of the research results?

The research is framed as stakeholder-relevant. The information produced is intended to be useful to groups involved in wildlife health, disease surveillance, natural resource management, and related decision-making.

16) How does this opportunity align with USGS priorities?

The opportunity emphasizes that the objectives and activities align with the mission of the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area, indicating the work is intended to contribute to applied ecological understanding and management-relevant science.

17) What level of collaboration with USGS is expected during the project?

The announcement indicates the project will be conducted in close collaboration between USGS and the selected CESU partner, consistent with the cooperative nature of the agreement. This suggests ongoing coordination on study design, implementation, interpretation, and dissemination of results.

18) When was this funding opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on April 10, 2018.

19) What was the original closing date for applications?

The original closing date was April 27, 2018.

20) How long was the application window based on the dates provided?

Based on the creation date of April 10, 2018 and the original closing date of April 27, 2018, the application window was relatively short.

21) What is the maximum funding amount available (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $35,250, which is the maximum federal funding amount expected for the project.

22) Does the funding amount suggest a large program or a targeted project?

With a ceiling of $35,250 and an anticipated single award, the announcement describes a modestly sized research award intended to generate targeted scientific insights rather than support a large multi-year program.