Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Chesapeake Watershed CESU | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the title and funding opportunity number for this grant?

The opportunity is titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Chesapeake Watershed CESU" and the Funding Opportunity Number is G15AS00059.

Which federal agency is offering this funding opportunity?

This funding call is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is issued through the National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center (NCCWSC).

What is the CFDA number for this program?

The CFDA number associated with this opportunity is 15.820 (National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center).

What is the overall purpose of the project?

The project is intended to pull together, translate, and spread what is already known about how climate change is affecting natural resources across the United States, with an emphasis on making that information usable for real-world planning and decision-making.

Is this opportunity focused on new research or synthesizing existing science?

The core emphasis is on synthesis: compiling and evaluating existing science to summarize climate change impacts across multiple Department of the Interior (DOI) Climate Science Center (CSC) regions. The work is also intended to identify where the science is strong enough to inform action now and where gaps remain that may warrant future research investment.

What kinds of outputs is the project expected to produce?

The opportunity supports the production of climate impact syntheses and communication products that clearly illustrate climate impacts and make findings accessible to policy, management, and planning audiences.

What is meant by producing "syntheses of climate change impacts" across CSC regions?

In practical terms, it means compiling and evaluating existing information from multiple DOI Climate Science Center regions to create a clearer, region-by-region picture of climate-driven effects on natural systems, including major vulnerabilities and trends that can help decision makers prioritize adaptation actions.

Why does the opportunity emphasize communication products?

The opportunity explicitly recognizes that synthesis alone is not sufficient if results are not communicated well, so it funds communication products designed to clearly illustrate climate impacts and make the findings accessible and usable in management and policy contexts.

What are the main task areas under this opportunity?

The work is organized into two main task areas: (1) "training and synthesis" and (2) "communication."

What is included in the "training and synthesis" task area?

This task area combines producing climate impact syntheses with capacity building inside the CSC network. It specifically seeks to train CSC personnel, with particular attention to early-career scientists, on effective scientific communication so they can produce rigorous technical work while also learning how to frame, write, and present results in decision-supporting ways.

What is included in the "communication" task area?

This task area focuses on turning synthesis outputs into communication products that can be readily understood and applied, so the information does not remain confined to technical reports and is instead packaged for practical use in management and policy settings.

What type of funding mechanism is used for this opportunity?

The mechanism is a cooperative agreement, which generally implies substantial involvement or collaboration with the federal sponsor during the project rather than a more hands-off grant structure.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to partners of the Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU). Applicants must already be part of the Chesapeake Watershed CESU network to apply.

What is a CESU in the context of this opportunity?

CESUs are established partnerships that connect federal agencies with universities and other organizations to deliver research, technical assistance, and education. Because this opportunity is issued under the CESU program, CESU partnership status is a requirement for eligibility.

How many awards are expected to be made?

The opportunity anticipates making a single award.

What is the estimated total funding amount?

The estimated total funding for the opportunity is $200,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

How is this opportunity categorized in terms of funding type and activity area?

It is categorized as discretionary funding under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity area.

When was the opportunity posted and what was the application deadline?

The posting date was April 1, 2015, and the application deadline was April 15, 2015.

Is the opportunity still open?

No. The opportunity was archived on July 1, 2015.

Where was the general listing for the opportunity available?

The general listing was available through Grants.gov.

Who is the point of contact for questions or access issues related to the full announcement?

The listed point of contact is Faith Graves at USGS. Phone: 703-648-7356. Email: fgraves@usgs.gov.

What audiences are the project results intended to support?

The opportunity emphasizes audiences that shape policy, management, and planning, with the aim of making climate-impact information usable for real-world decision-making.

What does the opportunity say about identifying research gaps?

In addition to summarizing what is already known, the syntheses are intended to highlight where gaps remain in the science base that may warrant new research investment.

Does the project include training components, and if so, for whom?

Yes. The project includes training for CSC personnel, with particular attention to early-career scientists, focused on effective scientific communication.