Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Chesapeak Watershed CESU | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Chesapeake Watershed CESU funding opportunity (G11AS20048)?

This was a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) discretionary funding opportunity offered as a cooperative agreement through the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network, specifically the Chesapeake Watershed CESU. It was intended to support science and technology research and development related to ecosystem carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes, with a particular focus on wildland fire.

Which agency offered this opportunity?

The opportunity was offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

What type of funding instrument was used?

The award was offered as a cooperative agreement (not a standard grant), indicating substantial federal involvement by USGS during the project period.

What was the main purpose of the award?

The core purpose was to fund research that would generate information needed for a comprehensive national assessment of ecosystem carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes. In practice, the work aimed to strengthen the scientific basis for understanding how U.S. ecosystems store carbon and how much GHG they release, emphasizing the role of wildland fire.

What scientific topic did the opportunity emphasize?

A central emphasis was on wildland fire and how fire activity relates to greenhouse gas emissions and carbon dynamics.

What are "wildland fire regimes" in the context of this opportunity?

Wildland fire regimes refer to the characteristic patterns of fire in a region over time. The opportunity called for research examining current fire regimes and their patterns and trends, including how those attributes connect to fire-induced greenhouse gas emissions.

What kinds of fire-regime characteristics were expected to be studied?

The announcement described research that could examine where fires occur, how often they occur, their seasonality, their size, and their severity, as well as how these metrics are changing over time.

How was the fire research intended to connect to greenhouse gas emissions and carbon dynamics?

The intent was to link fire-regime characteristics (such as frequency, size, severity, and seasonal timing) to emissions outcomes. This linkage helps clarify how shifts in fire activity influence carbon dynamics and greenhouse gas fluxes from landscape to national scales.

How would this research support national-scale accounting and assessment?

This research was framed as support for national-scale accounting by improving estimates, assumptions, and datasets used to quantify emissions and carbon balance related to fire.

What types of deliverables or products were anticipated?

The opportunity anticipated publishable and usable outputs, including assessment reports that feed into larger national evaluation efforts and joint publications produced through collaboration.

Why does it matter that this was a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant?

A cooperative agreement typically implies substantial involvement by the federal partner (USGS). In this opportunity, that involvement was described as collaboration during the period of performance, such as on study design, data integration, interpretation, and co-authored reporting.

How many awards were expected?

The opportunity anticipated a single award (ExpectedAwards: 1).

What was the estimated total funding amount?

The estimated total funding amount was $35,000.

Was there an award ceiling or floor?

The listing recorded no stated award ceiling or award floor (both were shown as 0).

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity indicated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.

What CFDA number was associated with this opportunity, and what does it indicate?

The associated CFDA number was 15.808, identified as U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection. This aligns with the research-focused nature of the funding.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was limited to organizations that were already participating partners within the Chesapeake Watershed CESU Program. The announcement referenced an "Others" category but clarified that applicants needed to be Chesapeake Watershed CESU partners; general applicants outside that partnership were not eligible.

What is a CESU partnership (as described in the opportunity)?

CESUs were described as structured partnerships intended to provide research, technical assistance, and education, typically linking federal agencies with universities, non-profits, and other partners under established cooperative frameworks.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted and created on June 20, 2011. The original closing date and the final closing date were both June 30, 2011.

How long was the application window?

Based on the posted date of June 20, 2011 and a closing date of June 30, 2011, the application window was short (about 10 days).

When was the opportunity archived?

The opportunity was archived on September 15, 2011.

Where were applicants directed to find the full announcement?

Applicants were directed to Grants.gov for the full announcement.

Who was the listed USGS contact for access issues, and how could they be reached?

The USGS contact listed for access issues was Faith Graves. Phone: 703-648-7356. Email: fgraves@usgs.gov.

What does the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) identify?

The Funding Opportunity Number identifies the specific opportunity listing. For this announcement, the number was G11AS20048.