Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Colorado Plateau CESU | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this grant opportunity?

This is a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) funding opportunity under the Colorado Plateau CESU Program. It was issued by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), through the Southwest Biological Science Center (SBSC), as Funding Opportunity Number G11AS20039.

Which federal agency is offering the funding?

The funding is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), specifically through the Southwest Biological Science Center (SBSC).

What is the main purpose of the opportunity?

The opportunity supports science and technology research focused on how changing climate conditions are reshaping soil water availability across the western United States, with particular emphasis on implications for water cycling and overall water availability in the southern Rocky Mountains.

What kinds of research questions is the program trying to answer?

The program aims to generate practical scientific insight into climate-driven shifts in the timing, amount, and variability of soil moisture, and to connect those shifts to ecological responses that matter for land and resource management.

What are the primary research themes encouraged by this opportunity?

The opportunity highlights two main research themes: (1) how changes in temperature, precipitation patterns, and weather variability alter the temporal dynamics of soil water content (when soils are wet or dry, how long moisture persists, and how vegetation draws down water through the growing season), and (2) how altered water availability translates into ecological outcomes, especially shifts in plant species and functional groups in distribution, abundance, or composition.

Does the opportunity prefer integrated projects that connect climate, soils, and ecology?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly emphasizes projects that connect climate inputs (warming, altered precipitation, increased variability) to soil hydrologic processes and then to vegetation responses, rather than treating these topics as isolated.

What is the geographic focus of the research?

The scope is broadly framed around western U.S. ecosystems, with particular emphasis on what changes mean for water cycling and water availability in the southern Rocky Mountains.

Are specific ecosystem types mentioned as priorities or examples?

Yes. The notice explicitly mentions shrublands and low-elevation forests as important ecosystem types within the scope.

Why are shrublands and low-elevation forests called out?

These systems are often sensitive to moisture constraints and may respond quickly to changes in soil water timing and availability, making them useful indicators of climate impacts.

What broader outcomes is the opportunity trying to support?

By supporting research across a range of ecosystem types, the opportunity is intended to improve understanding of how climate change could influence vegetation patterns and water resources at landscape to regional scales, particularly in water-limited areas.

What is the award mechanism for this opportunity?

The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement.

What does a cooperative agreement imply for the project relationship with USGS?

The notice indicates that a cooperative agreement typically implies substantial involvement or collaboration with the federal agency during the project, such as coordination on study design, data sharing, or joint interpretation and reporting.

How is this opportunity categorized?

It is categorized as discretionary and falls under the activity category "Science and Technology and other Research and Development."

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The related CFDA number is 15.808, titled "U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection."

How much funding is available?

The opportunity anticipated a single award with an estimated total funding amount of $120,000.

How many awards were expected?

The opportunity anticipated a single award.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement was listed in the information provided.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is restricted to partners within the Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. Applicants outside that partnership would not be eligible unless they were part of an eligible CESU partner arrangement as defined in the full announcement.

What is a CESU in this context?

CESUs are structured partnerships intended to facilitate research, technical assistance, and education. This opportunity was specifically limited to participating members of the Colorado Plateau CESU.

Where could applicants find the full announcement and official details?

Additional details and the full announcement were available through Grants.gov at the link provided in the notice.

When was the opportunity posted and created?

The opportunity was posted on May 25, 2011, and shows a creation date of June 8, 2011.

What was the application closing date?

The original closing date was June 6, 2011, and it was later extended to a current closing date of June 16, 2011.

Has this opportunity been archived?

Yes. The opportunity was archived on August 18, 2011.

What should someone do if they have questions or access issues related to the posting?

The contact listed for access issues or questions was Faith Graves at 703-648-7356 or fgraves@usgs.gov.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for reference?

The Funding Opportunity Number is G11AS20039.

Does the opportunity focus only on hydrology or only on ecology?

No. The focus is on connecting climate-driven changes in soil moisture dynamics (hydrologic processes in soils) to ecological responses, especially vegetation changes.

Is the focus limited to the southern Rocky Mountains only?

The notice frames the research broadly across the western United States while placing particular emphasis on what soil-water changes mean for water cycling and overall water availability in the southern Rocky Mountains.