Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Colorado Plateau CESU | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the name of this grant opportunity?

This opportunity is titled the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Colorado Plateau CESU grant opportunity.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is G16AS00015.

Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) within the Department of the Interior (DOI), listed as DOI-USGS1.

Which USGS office is associated with the opportunity?

The opportunity is being offered by the USGS Southwest Biological Science Center.

What type of award is this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

This announcement is set up as a cooperative agreement.

What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?

Based on the description provided, a cooperative agreement typically means USGS expects to stay actively involved during the project period, rather than simply issuing funds and stepping back.

What program area does this opportunity fall under?

The program area is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 15.808.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to one eligible applicant that is already a member of the Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU) Program.

Is this opportunity open to the general public or to organizations outside the CESU network?

No. The description indicates it is not broadly open to the general public, private businesses, or institutions outside the Colorado Plateau CESU partnership network.

How many awards were expected to be made?

Only one award was expected to be made under this announcement.

What is the main purpose of the opportunity?

The purpose is to strengthen and continue collaboration between USGS and a Colorado Plateau CESU partner while advancing research focused on how aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems are linked along the Colorado River in Arizona.

What research theme or focus area is the opportunity aimed at?

The focus is on integrated research across the Colorado River corridor in Arizona, emphasizing linkages between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

What kinds of topics or system linkages does the description suggest are relevant?

The description points to work that looks across the river corridor as an integrated system, such as relationships among river flow, riparian habitat, floodplain dynamics, vegetation, wildlife, water quality, and related ecological processes across the land-water boundary.

Where is the research geographically focused?

The geographic focus described is the Colorado River corridor in Arizona.

When was the opportunity posted and created?

The posting and creation dates are listed as December 9, 2015.

What was the application deadline?

The application deadline (both the original and current closing date) was December 24, 2015.

How long was the application window?

Based on the listed dates (December 9, 2015 to December 24, 2015), the application window was short.

What is the award ceiling (maximum funding amount)?

The award ceiling is listed as 0.

Does an award ceiling of 0 mean there is no funding?

Not necessarily. The description indicates that an award ceiling of 0 usually signals the maximum dollar amount was not specified in the public synopsis or was to be determined based on project scope, available funds, or negotiation with the selected CESU partner.

Is this opportunity discretionary?

Yes. It is described as a discretionary funding announcement from USGS.

What is the central goal of the collaboration described?

The central goal is a targeted USGS-involved research collaboration with a Colorado Plateau CESU member institution to improve understanding of the connected aquatic and terrestrial ecology of the Colorado River corridor in Arizona.