Opportunity Information: Apply for G15AS00018
Apply for G15AS00018
- The Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Californian CESU" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.808 U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 2, 2014 and posted on Dec 2, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 15, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $696,743.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- 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).
- This financial assistance opportunity is being issued under a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. CESUs are partnerships that provide research, technical assistance, and education. Eligible recipients must be a participating partner of the Californian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Californian CESU grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number G15AS00018) is a US Geological Survey (USGS) California Water Science Center (CAWSC) cooperative agreement aimed at improving scientific understanding of delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) biology during their spawning migration in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The core purpose is to support research that clarifies what drives spawning migration behavior and reproductive condition in this endangered, estuary-dependent fish, and then translate those findings into stronger modeling tools used for management and restoration decisions in the Delta.
The project is designed to be closely coordinated with a companion effort focused on zooplankton density and feeding success during the same migration period. In practical terms, that means the work funded under this opportunity is not meant to stand alone; it is intended to align methods, timing, and interpretation with related field and laboratory observations about prey availability and feeding outcomes. Together, these linked studies are set up to connect environmental conditions and food-web dynamics with fish condition, reproductive readiness, and movement behavior.
Three specific study components are called out in the announcement. First, the project will evaluate fish health by linking overall condition factor (a common metric relating body mass to length) with biochemical indicators and histopathological biomarkers, which can reveal stress, disease, contaminant exposure, and tissue-level impacts that are not visible from external measurements alone. Second, the research will determine fish age and assess reproductive performance using otolith microchemistry (chemical signatures preserved in ear stones that can reflect environmental history) along with reproductive staging based on oocyte development and maturity. This combination supports a more complete picture of where fish have been, how old they are, and whether they are physiologically prepared to spawn. Third, the project will use the resulting empirical data to revise behavioral components within particle-tracking modules that feed into individual-based models (IBMs) and other population models for delta smelt. The intent here is to strengthen model realism by replacing assumptions with measured relationships, so that simulated movement and population outcomes better reflect observed biology during migration.
Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity issued as a cooperative agreement, which typically implies substantial involvement by the USGS in coordination, technical direction, and integration of results with broader agency science efforts. The opportunity falls under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category, with CFDA number 15.808 (US Geological Survey Research and Data Collection). The estimated total funding is $696,743, and USGS anticipated making one award. No cost sharing or matching is required.
Eligibility is limited to organizations that are formal partners within the Californian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. CESUs are established research partnerships that connect federal agencies with universities, research institutions, and other qualified organizations to deliver applied science, technical assistance, and education. Because of that limitation, applicants must already be part of the Californian CESU network to apply.
The opportunity was posted December 2, 2014, with an application deadline of December 15, 2014, and it was later archived May 2, 2015. The funding announcement directs applicants to Grants.gov for the full notice and application materials. For access issues or questions tied to the full announcement, the listed contact is Faith Graves at 703-648-7356 or fgraves@usgs.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the funding opportunity number for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is G15AS00018.
Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), specifically through the USGS California Water Science Center (CAWSC).
What type of award is being offered?
The announcement describes this as a cooperative agreement under a discretionary funding opportunity.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
In this opportunity, a cooperative agreement typically indicates substantial USGS involvement in coordination, technical direction, and integrating results with broader agency science efforts.
What is the main purpose of the project?
The purpose is to improve scientific understanding of delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) biology during their spawning migration in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and to translate findings into stronger modeling tools used for management and restoration decisions in the Delta.
Which species is the research focused on?
The research focuses on delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus), described in the announcement as an endangered, estuary-dependent fish.
What geographic area does the study focus on?
The study focuses on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and specifically the delta smelt spawning migration occurring in that system.
How is this project intended to be used for management or restoration?
The work is intended to produce findings that can be translated into improved modeling tools (including individual-based models and other population models) that support management and restoration decisions in the Delta.
Is this project intended to be coordinated with other studies?
Yes. The announcement states the project is designed to be closely coordinated with a companion effort focused on zooplankton density and feeding success during the same migration period.
Why does the announcement emphasize coordination with a companion zooplankton study?
The linked studies are intended to connect environmental conditions and food-web dynamics (such as prey availability and feeding outcomes) with fish condition, reproductive readiness, and movement behavior during the migration period.
Is the funded work meant to stand alone?
No. The announcement explains that the work funded under this opportunity is not meant to stand alone, and is intended to align methods, timing, and interpretation with the related companion effort.
What are the main research components called out in the announcement?
The announcement describes three components: (1) evaluate fish health by linking condition factor with biochemical indicators and histopathological biomarkers, (2) determine fish age and assess reproductive performance using otolith microchemistry and reproductive staging based on oocyte development/maturity, and (3) use the empirical data to revise behavioral components within particle-tracking modules that feed into individual-based models (IBMs) and other population models for delta smelt.
What is meant by evaluating fish health in this project?
The project will evaluate fish health by linking overall condition factor (a metric relating body mass to length) with biochemical indicators and histopathological biomarkers. These biomarkers can reveal stress, disease, contaminant exposure, and tissue-level impacts not visible from external measurements alone.
What methods are specified for determining fish age and reproductive performance?
The announcement specifies otolith microchemistry to help determine age and environmental history, along with reproductive staging based on oocyte development and maturity to assess reproductive condition and readiness to spawn.
What are otoliths and how are they used in this study?
Otoliths are ear stones in fish. The announcement notes that otolith microchemistry involves chemical signatures preserved in otoliths that can reflect environmental history, supporting interpretation of where fish have been and providing information used alongside age and reproductive assessments.
How will the results be used to improve models?
The intent is to use measured, empirical relationships from the study to revise behavioral components in particle-tracking modules that feed into individual-based models (IBMs) and other population models, strengthening realism by replacing assumptions with measured relationships tied to observed biology during migration.
What kinds of models are mentioned in the opportunity?
The announcement mentions particle-tracking modules, individual-based models (IBMs), and other population models used for delta smelt.
What funding category does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity falls under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 15.808 (US Geological Survey Research and Data Collection).
How much total funding is estimated for this opportunity?
The estimated total funding is $696,743.
How many awards did USGS anticipate making?
USGS anticipated making one award.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The announcement states that no cost sharing or matching is required.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to organizations that are formal partners within the Californian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program.
What is the Californian CESU program in the context of this opportunity?
The announcement describes CESUs as established research partnerships that connect federal agencies with universities, research institutions, and other qualified organizations to deliver applied science, technical assistance, and education. To apply here, an organization must already be part of the Californian CESU network.
Where can applicants find the full notice and application materials?
The funding announcement directs applicants to Grants.gov for the full notice and application materials.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on December 2, 2014.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline was December 15, 2014.
When was the opportunity archived?
The opportunity was archived on May 2, 2015.
Who is the contact person listed for access issues or questions about the full announcement?
The listed contact is Faith Graves.
How can Faith Graves be reached?
Faith Graves can be reached at 703-648-7356 or by email at fgraves@usgs.gov.
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