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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What agency offered this funding opportunity?

The opportunity was offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Department of the Interior (DOI), through the USGS Western Ecological Research Center.

What type of funding instrument was used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

This opportunity was released as a cooperative agreement. That means USGS expected to be substantially involved in the work alongside the award recipient, rather than providing a hands-off grant.

What program was this opportunity issued under?

The funding was offered under the Californian Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU) Program.

How many awards were expected to be made?

Only a single award was anticipated.

What was the maximum (ceiling) funding amount?

The award ceiling was $174,000.

What was the project title?

The funded project was titled: "Rare Plant Population Assessments within the San Diego MSPA to Inform Establishment of New Occurrences, Population Enhancement, Seed Banking, and Long-term Monitoring Strategies."

What is the geographic focus of the project?

The work focused on rare plant species within the San Diego Multiple Species Conservation Program Area (MSPA).

What was the main purpose of the project?

The core intent was to assess rare plant populations and use those findings to guide concrete conservation and management actions within the San Diego MSPA.

What kinds of activities did the project emphasize?

Based on the project description, the emphasis included assessing rare plant populations and translating results into actionable management support, including: establishing new occurrences where appropriate, enhancing existing populations, seed banking, and developing or refining long-term monitoring strategies.

What does "rare plant population assessments" mean in this context?

In practical terms, it refers to field- and data-based evaluations of the status of rare plant populations (for example, surveys and population status evaluations) so land managers can make informed decisions about conservation actions and monitoring.

How would the assessments be used by managers?

The announcement described assessments designed to directly inform management, meaning the results would likely support recommendations or protocols that land managers can implement for establishment of new occurrences, population enhancement, seed collection for conservation storage, and long-term monitoring design.

What is meant by "establishment of new occurrences"?

The description indicates identifying or supporting the establishment of new occurrences of rare plants. This could include actions such as introductions or assisted colonization where appropriate, as informed by the assessments.

What is meant by "population enhancement"?

The notice frames population enhancement as actions that support existing rare plant populations, such as habitat improvements, threat reduction, or augmentation, guided by the assessment findings.

What is "seed banking" in the scope of this project?

Seed banking refers to collecting and preserving seeds for long-term conservation, creating a safeguard for rare plant genetic material and supporting future restoration or recovery efforts.

What is meant by "long-term monitoring strategies"?

This refers to designing or refining monitoring approaches so managers can track population health and trends over time, using consistent methods informed by the project assessments.

What was the funding activity category?

The funding activity category was listed as Science and Technology and other Research and Development, consistent with ecological field research, conservation planning support, and development of monitoring methodologies.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was limited to one member organization within the Californian CESU network. The notice lists eligibility as "Others," with further clarification typically provided in the full eligibility section of the announcement.

Was this opportunity open to multiple CESU members or only one?

The announcement indicated eligibility was limited to one member organization within the Californian CESU network, and only one award was expected.

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on February 22, 2016.

What was the application closing date?

The application closing date was March 7, 2016.

What CFDA number was associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number associated with the opportunity was 15.808, corresponding to USGS research and data programs.

How is the awarding agency identified?

The agency was identified as DOI-USGS (Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey).

What makes this a "targeted" opportunity?

It was targeted because it described a specific project scope (rare plant population assessments within the San Diego MSPA with defined management-oriented outcomes), anticipated only one award, and limited eligibility to one Californian CESU member organization.

Does the announcement suggest the work is purely academic research?

No. The description emphasizes applied conservation and research intended to produce actionable, on-the-ground information and tools for managers, including seed banking and monitoring frameworks.

What role would USGS play during the project?

Because it was a cooperative agreement, USGS expected to be substantially involved in the work alongside the award recipient rather than acting solely as a funder.