Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is this funding opportunity?

This is a US Geological Survey (USGS) discretionary funding announcement for a cooperative agreement under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program. The work is focused on research and development in science and technology related to snowmelt timing and wet slab avalanches.

2. Which agency is offering the award?

The offering agency is the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), listed as the Geological Survey (USGS).

3. What type of award is being offered: grant or cooperative agreement?

The announcement is for a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant. This typically indicates substantial involvement by USGS during the project period, such as collaboration on study design, data integration, technical input, and/or review of deliverables.

4. What is the main scientific focus of the project?

The project focuses on examining how the timing and trends of snowmelt relate to the occurrence of wet slab avalanches. The intent is to improve understanding of evolving snowmelt behavior and its association with wet slab avalanche activity.

5. What snowmelt characteristics is USGS asking applicants to study?

USGS is specifically interested in research that clarifies:

• When snowmelt begins (onset timing)
• How long snowmelt lasts (duration)
• How onset and duration vary across elevation bands
• How these characteristics differ in areas affected by wildfire disturbance (burned) versus unburned landscapes

6. How does wildfire disturbance factor into the research?

The scope explicitly calls for evaluating snowmelt characteristics in areas affected by wildfire disturbance and comparing them to unburned landscapes, with the goal of understanding how these differences may influence wet slab avalanche activity.

7. Is the scope limited to historical analysis, or does it include future assessment?

It includes both. USGS emphasizes a combination of historical analysis (how snowmelt onset and duration have changed over time) and forward-looking assessment (what future trends may look like).

8. What kinds of methods or approaches does USGS expect to see in a proposal?

Proposals are expected to combine advanced modeling tools with empirical observations. The announcement highlights integrating observational datasets (for example, snow, weather, or avalanche records where relevant) with modeling approaches that can capture variability across terrain, elevation gradients, and burned versus unburned areas.

9. What kinds of data sources are relevant for this project?

The announcement suggests using observational datasets such as snow, weather, and avalanche records (where relevant), paired with modeling approaches that can evaluate changes and variability across different terrain and disturbance conditions.

10. What is the intended outcome or benefit of the research?

The intent is to produce a clearer, evidence-based picture of evolving snowmelt behavior and how it is associated with wet slab avalanches. This can inform understanding of changing mountain hazards under shifting climate and disturbance regimes.

11. Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is restricted to entities that are already participating partners in the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU). Applicants that are not formal partners in that specific CESU network are not eligible under the terms of the announcement.

12. The eligible applicant category says "Others." What does that mean here?

In this announcement, the listed category "Others" is constrained by the explicit requirement that the recipient must be an active Rocky Mountain CESU partner. The CESU partnership requirement controls eligibility.

13. How many awards does USGS expect to make?

USGS expects to make one award.

14. What is the maximum funding amount available?

The award ceiling is $40,000.

15. What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is G26AS00093.

16. What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number is 15.808.

17. When is the application due?

The original application closing date is April 14, 2026.

18. When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on March 12, 2026.

19. What does it mean that this is issued under the CESU Program?

CESUs are established partnerships designed to support research, technical assistance, and education through cooperative projects. Under a CESU-issued cooperative agreement, USGS typically has a closer collaborative role during the project period compared to a standard grant.

20. Is this opportunity specifically tied to the Rocky Mountain CESU?

Yes. The cooperative agreement is with an affiliated partner of the Rocky Mountain CESU, and eligibility is limited to active partners in that CESU network.