Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G23AS00437

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) discretionary cooperative agreement offered through the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program, specifically the Great Rivers CESU. The opportunity supports applied research focused on aquatic invasive species using structured decision-making and adaptive management.

2) What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is G23AS00437.

3) Who is offering the award?

The award is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

4) What type of award is this?

The award will be made as a cooperative agreement. This typically means USGS expects substantial involvement during the project, such as collaborating on study design, participating in project meetings, helping guide priorities, or supporting integration of results into management decisions.

5) What program mechanism is being used for this opportunity?

This opportunity is issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) mechanism, through the Great Rivers CESU.

6) What is the main focus of the funded work?

The focus is applied research that uses structured decision-making and adaptive management to address aquatic invasive species. This includes both preventing new invasions and improving how established invasive aquatic species are managed.

7) What does "structured decision-making" mean in the context of this opportunity?

Based on the announcement, structured decision-making refers to strengthening how resource managers make choices under uncertainty, comparing management options in a transparent way, and using evidence to evaluate tradeoffs and prioritize interventions.

8) What does "adaptive management" mean in the context of this opportunity?

In this opportunity, adaptive management is described as adjusting actions over time as new monitoring data and outcomes become available, so management strategies can be iteratively improved.

9) What kinds of outcomes is USGS looking for?

The intent is not only to produce research products, but to connect those products directly to decision processes used by agencies and partners addressing invasive species risks and impacts. The work is meant to help decision-makers evaluate tradeoffs, prioritize interventions, and improve prevention and control strategies over time.

10) What subject area does this opportunity fall under?

The opportunity supports research and development activities in the science and technology category.

11) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.808.

12) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to organizations that are already participating partners in the Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (Great Rivers CESU). Applicants must be affiliated with and eligible through the Great Rivers CESU partnership.

13) Are organizations outside the Great Rivers CESU eligible?

No. Entities outside the Great Rivers CESU network are not eligible for this specific award because it is issued under the CESU mechanism.

14) What is a CESU, as described in the announcement?

CESUs are multi-institution partnerships that link federal agencies with universities, non-profits, and other organizations to deliver research, technical assistance, and education that support public land and resource management.

15) What is the maximum award amount?

The listed award ceiling is $230,488.

16) How many awards will be made?

The expected number of awards was not specified in the provided information.

17) When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on June 28, 2023.

18) What was the original application closing date?

The original application closing date was July 28, 2023.

19) What does USGS involvement typically look like in a cooperative agreement?

The provided description indicates USGS may collaborate on study design, participate in project meetings, help guide project priorities, and support integrating results into management decisions.

20) What management problem is this opportunity trying to address?

The opportunity aims to improve how agencies and partners address aquatic invasive species by supporting decision frameworks that handle uncertainty, compare options transparently, and update actions over time based on monitoring results.

21) Does the opportunity emphasize prevention, management, or both?

Both. The announcement highlights preventing new invasions and improving management of established invasive aquatic species.

22) What makes this opportunity "management-relevant"?

The opportunity is described as connecting research products directly to real decision processes used by resource managers and partners dealing with invasive species risks and impacts, rather than producing stand-alone research outputs.

23) What kinds of decision-support improvements are encouraged?

The opportunity describes improving transparent comparison of management options, evaluating tradeoffs, prioritizing interventions, and iteratively improving prevention and control strategies using structured, evidence-based decision frameworks.