Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Piedmont-South Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is a US Geological Survey (USGS) discretionary funding announcement for a single cooperative agreement under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program. It is specifically routed through the Piedmont-South Atlantic Coast CESU network.

What type of award is being offered?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. This generally means USGS expects substantial involvement during the project period, such as coordinating on study design, data collection protocols, analytical approaches, and/or interpretation and dissemination of results.

Is this an open competition?

No. This is not described as a broad, open competition. It is limited to eligible organizations that are already participating partners in the Piedmont-South Atlantic Coast CESU network.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are organizations that are participating partners in the Piedmont-South Atlantic Coast CESU network, which connects federal agencies with universities, NGOs, and other partners to deliver research, technical support, and education.

What is the main scientific focus of the project?

The project focuses on improving understanding of avian influenza virus (AIV) dynamics in waterbirds that have not been well studied. It links disease status (current infection and evidence of prior exposure) with movement behavior derived from transmitter data.

What are the two core research topics described in the announcement?

The work centers on: (1) measuring AIV infection and seroprevalence in understudied waterbird species, and (2) analyzing movement patterns of transmitter-marked birds, particularly in relation to whether birds are currently infected or show evidence of past infection by serology.

What does "AIV infection and seroprevalence" mean in this context?

Based on the announcement description, the project is expected to use field sampling and laboratory testing to distinguish active AIV infection from prior exposure. "Seroprevalence" refers to evidence in blood/serology indicating previous infection or immune response, while infection testing indicates current infection.

What kinds of data are expected to be collected?

The announcement implies an integrated dataset that includes: field sampling results and lab tests (to identify current infection and past exposure) plus telemetry-based movement data collected from transmitter-marked waterbirds over time.

How is telemetry used in this project?

Telemetry is used to record fine-scale movements of birds fitted with transmitters. The research then examines how movement changes may relate to disease status (currently infected versus evidence of past infection).

Why does the project emphasize understudied waterbird species?

The stated intent is to improve understanding of AIV dynamics in waterbirds that have not been well studied and are currently underrepresented in surveillance and ecological studies.

What is the purpose of connecting disease status with movement behavior?

The goal is to help clarify transmission pathways, identify periods or locations of elevated risk, and improve understanding of how AIV may spread through wild bird populations and across landscapes.

What special emphasis is placed on pathology work?

A special emphasis is pathology examinations (necropsy/pathology) on birds that were transmitter-marked and later recovered after mortality. The intent is to determine cause of death and identify disease-specific signatures that could be reflected in the movement record leading up to death.

How would pathology findings be integrated with telemetry data?

The approach described is to combine necropsy/pathology results with time-stamped telemetry tracks to evaluate whether certain movement patterns (such as slowdowns, altered migration timing, or localized behavior changes) are associated with particular disease processes or health deterioration.

What program is this being administered through?

The award is under the CESU Program and is routed through the Piedmont-South Atlantic Coast CESU, which is designed to connect federal agencies with partner organizations to deliver research, technical support, and education.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.808.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is G26AS00096.

How many awards are expected?

The announcement indicates an expectation of one award, meaning a single project rather than multiple smaller grants.

What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is $499,000.

When was the opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on March 27, 2026.

What is the application deadline?

The original closing date is April 28, 2026, which serves as the submission deadline timeframe for eligible CESU partners.

What kind of work does USGS expect this project to be?

The project is framed as applied research and development in science and technology, aimed at producing practical, evidence-based understanding of AIV dynamics, movement, and mortality outcomes in understudied waterbirds.

What kinds of outcomes is this project intended to produce?

The expected outcome is a stronger evidence-based picture of how AIV relates to behavior, movement, and mortality in understudied waterbird species, producing information that can be used to improve wildlife disease understanding and management.

What does USGS "substantial involvement" typically imply for applicants?

As described, substantial involvement can include USGS participation in coordinating study design, data collection protocols, analysis approaches, and/or interpretation and dissemination of results during the project period.

Why is this routed through a specific CESU network (Piedmont-South Atlantic Coast)?

The announcement states eligibility is tied to participation in that CESU network, which is a partnership mechanism used to connect federal agencies with universities, NGOs, and other partners for research and related support activities.

Does the opportunity focus only on detecting AIV, or also on impacts of disease?

It includes both detection (active infection and serology indicating prior exposure) and impact-oriented analysis, especially through pathology on recovered mortalities and assessing whether health deterioration or disease processes correspond to measurable changes in movement behavior.