Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Chesapeake Watershed CESU | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

This grant opportunity, issued by the U.S. Geological Survey under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program, supports a single research project led through the Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NoRock). The central idea is to improve understanding of how mule deer and elk move and mix across large areas of the Rocky Mountain region by combining traditional host genetics with genetic data from host-specific parasites. The opportunity is framed around a key limitation in wildlife movement studies: host genetic patterns can be difficult to interpret when animals have been translocated by people or when long generation times blur recent movement, while parasite genetics can sometimes provide sharper, more recent signals because many parasites mutate faster and cycle through generations more quickly.

The proposed work focuses on estimating contact and connectivity patterns of mule deer and elk across multiple states, specifically Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Colorado. The project ties its sampling strategy to ongoing chronic wasting disease (CWD) surveillance efforts in those states, using the existing CWD sampling pipeline to achieve a much broader geographic picture of population connectivity than typical localized studies. A practical driver is also built into the scope: because Montana is no longer conducting statewide CWD surveys, the grant funding is intended to restore or supplement sampling capacity in western Montana so that the regional analysis does not have a major data gap.

A distinctive feature of the project is the use of a recently discovered lentivirus in mule deer as a "parasite marker" to reconstruct movement and contact history. By comparing genetic patterns in the deer themselves with genetic patterns in the virus, researchers aim to infer where and how often animals (or their lineages) have been in contact across the landscape. In parallel, the project includes additional pathogen screening work in elk, specifically surveying pathogens found in elk lymph nodes. If researchers identify a suitable virus in elk that behaves as a host-specific genetic marker, they plan to run a comparable host-plus-parasite genetic connectivity analysis for elk as well.

To ground-truth and interpret the broad-scale genetic inferences, the project also proposes comparing genetic estimates of connectivity with results from a more intensive, traditional tracking-based study centered on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. In other words, the genetics-based connectivity map across several states would be evaluated against finer-scale movement information derived from on-the-ground tracking approaches, helping determine how well the genetic methods capture real-world movement patterns.

The long-term outcome the grant is aiming toward is improved, broad-scale wildlife disease modeling built on empirically supported movement and connectivity data. While CWD and Brucella abortus are named as primary diseases of interest, the announcement emphasizes that the resulting approach and datasets should be useful for other potential or emerging threats such as tuberculosis and foot-and-mouth disease, and more generally for wildlife conservation and management decisions that depend on understanding population mixing and spread pathways.

Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement mechanism, meaning the agency is likely to have substantial involvement during the project rather than simply issuing a hands-off grant. The opportunity lists one expected award with total funding of $122,200 (which is also both the award ceiling and floor), and it states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. Eligibility is restricted to organizations that are already partners in the Chesapeake Watershed CESU Program, reflecting the CESU model as a formal partnership network that supports research, technical assistance, and education. The opportunity was posted on April 1, 2008, with an original and current closing date of April 10, 2008, and it was archived May 10, 2008. The CFDA listing provided is 15.808 (U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection). The listed contact for access issues is Faith Peters, Contract Specialist, at 703-648-7356.

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Geological Survey

Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development

Next opportunity: FY 2008 Small Community Air Service Development Program Grants

Previous opportunity: Long Range BAA for Research and Education Initiatives at the Naval Postgraduate School

USGrants.org Applicant Portal:

Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.

Apply for 08HQPA0020

 

[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?

Applicants also applied for:

Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (08HQPA0020) also looked into and applied for these:

 

Grant application guides and resources

It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!

Apply for Grants

 

 

Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers

Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.

If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.

Subscribe to Leads

 

Request more information:

Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "08HQPA0020", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:

Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.