Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU | G19AS00061

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the name of this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU."

Which agency is offering this grant?

The funding opportunity is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), within the Department of the Interior.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The Funding Opportunity Number (FON) is G19AS00061.

What type of award is expected?

The award is expected to be made as a cooperative agreement.

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

A cooperative agreement typically means USGS expects to have substantial involvement in the project. This can include collaboration on project direction, methods, deliverables, or interpretation of results.

What program category does this opportunity fall under?

The opportunity sits within the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category (CFDA 15.808).

What does CFDA 15.808 imply about the kind of work being funded?

Based on the listing, CFDA 15.808 signals that the work is intended to produce applied scientific outputs (research and development) rather than routine services.

What is the main research focus of the opportunity?

The focus is invasive grass research, specifically projects that combine large-scale occurrence databases with distribution modeling and then translate results into improved understanding and management of invasive grass invasions.

What are the three connected themes emphasized by the opportunity?

The opportunity emphasizes: (1) use and application of large-scale occurrence databases, (2) modeling distributions of invasive grass species, and (3) translating modeled distribution results into better understanding and management of invasions.

What does "large-scale occurrence databases" mean in this context?

It refers to broad biodiversity or species-occurrence datasets, such as compiled observations from multiple sources, used to inform analysis at larger spatial scales.

What kind of modeling does the opportunity expect?

It expects modeling of invasive grass species distributions, typically using statistical or machine-learning approaches that relate known occurrence locations to environmental conditions to estimate where invasive grasses are likely to occur.

Is the modeling expected to address only current distributions, or future distributions as well?

The description notes models can estimate where invasive grasses are likely to occur now and potentially in the future.

How should applicants use the modeling results?

The opportunity expects applicants to translate what the modeled distributions reveal into improved understanding and management of grass invasions, with outputs useful for decision-making, prioritization, surveillance, or intervention planning (not purely theoretical outputs).

What is the maximum funding amount available?

The award ceiling listed for the opportunity is $199,000.

How many awards does USGS expect to make?

USGS expected to make one award.

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was created on May 7, 2019.

What was the application closing date?

The opportunity originally closed on May 21, 2019.

How long was the application window?

Based on the created date (May 7, 2019) and the original close date (May 21, 2019), the application window was short (about two weeks).

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to CESU partners under the Rocky Mountain CESU network. The listing identifies eligible applicants as "Others" with additional eligibility details referenced, which generally corresponds to participating institutions within the consortium (such as certain universities, nonprofit organizations, or other approved partners).

Is this opportunity open to any organization outside the Rocky Mountain CESU network?

Based on the provided description, eligibility is limited to Rocky Mountain CESU partners, so entities outside that partner network would not be eligible under the stated eligibility limitation.

What is the Rocky Mountain CESU network in relation to this opportunity?

This opportunity is released under the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network, and eligibility is tied to being a CESU partner within that network.

What kind of end products is USGS likely looking for?

The listing indicates the work should produce actionable invasive grass distribution insights by combining large occurrence datasets with spatial distribution modeling, then translating results into improved detection, anticipation, and response strategies for invasive grass spread.

Does the opportunity emphasize research outputs or service delivery?

It emphasizes applied scientific research outputs, as indicated by the Science and Technology / Research and Development category (CFDA 15.808) and the focus on modeling and management-relevant interpretation.

What level of collaboration should applicants expect from USGS?

Because it is a cooperative agreement, applicants should expect substantial USGS involvement, potentially including collaboration on project direction, methods, deliverables, and interpretation of results.