Opportunity Information: Apply for G16AS00066
Apply for G16AS00066
- The DOI-USGS1 in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Chesapeake Watershed CESU" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.808.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 16, 2016 and posted on May 16, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 02, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $7,000.00 in funding.
- 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).
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Opportunity Summary:
This grant opportunity, titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Chesapeake Watershed CESU" (Funding Opportunity Number G16AS00066), was issued by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) under the Department of the Interior. It is a discretionary funding opportunity offered as a cooperative agreement within the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category (CFDA 15.808). The competition was limited to eligible partners within the Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU), meaning the intended applicants were members of that established federal-university partnership network rather than the general public.
The project focus is "Molecular methods for distinguishing closely related and morphologically similar bee species." USGS highlights a practical taxonomic problem: relying only on physical (morphological) traits to identify bee species can be unreliable for certain groups. Misidentifications can happen because original species descriptions may be interpreted differently by different experts, because there can be substantial natural variation in appearance within a single species, and because males and females often look so different that separate identification keys are needed. In some cases, closely related species are so similar that one sex may be difficult or even impossible to identify confidently using morphology alone. A related issue is that some traits used historically to separate species might actually be distinguishing different phenotypic forms within the same species rather than true, biologically distinct species. In short, the opportunity is aimed at improving the accuracy and reliability of bee identification where traditional approaches run into known limitations.
To address these challenges, the grant emphasizes DNA-based identification approaches, particularly genetic "barcoding." The description specifically mentions the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene region in mitochondrial DNA, which is widely used as a standard barcode marker for animals, along with the potential use of additional genetic loci. The goal is to apply or develop molecular methods that can discriminate among closely allied bee species and help clarify whether questionable taxa represent separate species or simply variants. By building stronger molecular reference data and analytical approaches, the work supports more consistent species identification and can also contribute to discovery or confirmation of species boundaries in difficult groups.
Administratively, the opportunity was posted and created on May 16, 2016, with an application closing date of June 2, 2016. USGS anticipated making a single award, with a stated award ceiling of $7,000. The small size and single-award structure suggest a targeted, narrowly scoped research effort, likely intended to produce concrete outputs such as validated genetic markers for certain bee complexes, refined identification protocols combining morphology and genetics, and reference sequence data that can be used by researchers and practitioners working on pollinator monitoring, biodiversity assessments, and related conservation or ecosystem studies in the Chesapeake watershed context and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Chesapeake Watershed CESU".
2. What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number (FON) is G16AS00066.
3. Which agency issued this funding opportunity?
The opportunity was issued by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) under the Department of the Interior.
4. What type of funding mechanism is being used?
This is a discretionary funding opportunity offered as a cooperative agreement.
5. What is the program/category classification for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed within the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category, and it references CFDA 15.808.
6. Who is eligible to apply?
Competition was limited to eligible partners within the Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU). In other words, it was intended for members of the established federal-university partnership network rather than the general public.
7. Is this opportunity open to the general public?
No. Based on the description provided, the competition was restricted to eligible Chesapeake Watershed CESU partners.
8. What is the main project focus?
The project focus is "Molecular methods for distinguishing closely related and morphologically similar bee species."
9. What practical problem is the project trying to solve?
The project targets situations where identifying bee species using only physical (morphological) traits can be unreliable. The opportunity highlights that misidentifications can occur due to differing interpretations of original species descriptions, natural variation within a species, and strong differences between males and females that often require separate identification keys. In some cases, one sex may be difficult or impossible to identify confidently using morphology alone.
10. Why can morphology-based bee identification be unreliable in some cases?
The description notes several reasons: (a) original species descriptions may be interpreted differently by different experts, (b) there can be substantial appearance variation within a single species, (c) males and females may look very different and require different identification keys, and (d) closely related species can be so similar that morphology alone may not be sufficient for confident identification.
11. What additional taxonomic issue does the opportunity mention?
It notes that some traits historically used to separate species may actually be distinguishing different phenotypic forms within the same species rather than truly distinct species, creating uncertainty about whether certain taxa are valid separate species.
12. What approach does the grant emphasize to address these identification challenges?
The grant emphasizes DNA-based identification approaches, particularly genetic barcoding.
13. Which genetic barcode region is specifically mentioned?
The description specifically mentions the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene region in mitochondrial DNA, a widely used barcode marker for animals.
14. Does the opportunity allow or encourage the use of genetic markers beyond COI?
Yes. In addition to COI, the description mentions the potential use of additional genetic loci.
15. What is the goal of using molecular methods in this project?
The goal is to apply or develop molecular methods that can (a) discriminate among closely allied bee species and (b) help clarify whether questionable taxa represent separate species or simply variants within a species.
16. How does building molecular reference data help?
By strengthening molecular reference data and analytical approaches, the work is intended to support more consistent species identification and can contribute to confirming or clarifying species boundaries in difficult groups.
17. When was the opportunity posted and created?
The opportunity was posted and created on May 16, 2016.
18. What was the application closing date?
The application closing date was June 2, 2016.
19. How many awards did USGS anticipate making?
USGS anticipated making a single award.
20. What was the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?
The stated award ceiling was $7,000.
21. What does the single-award, small-budget structure suggest about the scope?
Based on the information provided, it suggests a targeted, narrowly scoped research effort aimed at producing concrete, usable outputs rather than supporting a large multi-year program.
22. What kinds of outputs were implied by the opportunity description?
The description suggests outputs such as validated genetic markers for certain bee complexes, refined identification protocols that combine morphology and genetics, and reference sequence data useful for researchers and practitioners.
23. Who might benefit from the results of the project?
The results are described as being useful for those working on pollinator monitoring, biodiversity assessments, and related conservation or ecosystem studies, particularly in the Chesapeake watershed context and potentially beyond.
24. Is the work limited to the Chesapeake watershed?
The opportunity is framed within the Chesapeake Watershed CESU context, and it explicitly notes relevance to the Chesapeake watershed, while also indicating the outputs could be useful beyond that context.
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