Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Gulf Coast CESU | G18AS00035

Opportunity Information: Apply for G18AS00035

This grant opportunity, titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Gulf Coast CESU" (Funding Opportunity Number G18AS00035), is a discretionary funding announcement from the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally means the selected recipient would not simply receive funds to work independently, but would instead carry out the project in active coordination with USGS staff. The work falls under the broad category of science and technology and other research and development, and it is associated with CFDA number 15.808.

The project is being offered through the USGS Alaska Science Center (ASC) and is limited to eligible partners within the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network, specifically the Gulf Coast CESU. In practice, that eligibility constraint 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. The announcement anticipates making one award.

The core purpose of the project 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. In this context, "IAVs" refers to influenza A viruses, which are commonly studied in relation to wild bird populations and migration corridors because these viruses can circulate naturally in avian hosts. The Atlantic Flyway is one of the major north-south migratory routes for birds in North America, making it a critical region for understanding how avian hosts, habitats, and movement patterns may shape virus distribution and dynamics. The research is framed as stakeholder-relevant, meaning the information produced is intended to be useful to groups involved in wildlife health, disease surveillance, natural resource management, and related decision-making.

The opportunity emphasizes that the objectives and activities align with the mission of the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area, signaling that the work is intended to contribute to applied ecological understanding and management-relevant science. It also clearly states that the project will be conducted in close collaboration between USGS and the selected CESU partner, reinforcing the cooperative nature of the agreement and suggesting ongoing coordination on study design, implementation, interpretation, and dissemination of results.

From an administrative perspective, the opportunity was created on April 10, 2018, with an original closing date of April 27, 2018, indicating a relatively short application window. The award ceiling is $35,250, which sets the maximum federal funding amount expected for the project. With an expected number of awards listed as one, applicants would be competing for a single, modestly sized research award intended to generate targeted scientific insights rather than support a large multi-year program.

• The Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Gulf Coast CESU" 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 Apr 10, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 27, 2018. (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 $35,250.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for G18AS00035

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