Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Basin CESU | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the name of this grant opportunity?

This opportunity is the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Basin CESU grant opportunity. It is associated with Funding Opportunity Number 11HQPA0004.

Which agency is offering the funding?

The funding is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as a discretionary funding program.

What type of award is being offered?

The opportunity is issued as a cooperative agreement, not a standard stand-alone research grant.

What is the main purpose of the cooperative agreement?

The central purpose is to support Quaternary science research in the Western United States, with a focus on improving geochronology (how ages are determined) and paleoenvironmental reconstruction (how past environmental conditions are interpreted) from unconsolidated sediments.

What scientific themes are emphasized in this opportunity?

The announcement emphasizes ostracode-based studies and stable isotope approaches, with the broader aim of strengthening interpretations of past climate variability and understanding how that variability affected landscapes and vegetation.

Why is USGS interested in this type of research?

USGS is seeking research that improves long-term context for climate and environmental change so agencies and land managers can better understand potential future change and make more defensible management decisions.

Is this a typical independent research grant?

No. A key feature is that the work is framed as an interactive, collaborative effort where both USGS scientists and the selected CESU partner scientists directly participate throughout the project.

What level of collaboration is expected with USGS?

The partner is expected to coordinate closely with USGS to design the project in a practical way, including developing sampling and research strategies that support USGS Quaternary investigations across the Western United States.

What geographic areas may be included in the research?

The scope includes, but is not limited to, work connected to the Mojave River basin and nearby areas, and more broadly supports Quaternary investigations across the West.

Does the scope include fieldwork, laboratory work, or both?

Both. In addition to lab-based analyses, the partner may help identify which samples are most promising for specific analytical techniques and may also participate in field sample collection, depending on what is needed for the jointly designed study.

What are the main technical objectives described in the announcement?

The technical objectives include several complementary laboratory and interpretive tasks involving microfossils and geochemistry, aimed at improving age control and environmental interpretation from sediment records.

What work related to ostracodes is included?

The opportunity includes preparing, identifying, and interpreting ostracode assemblages to infer paleoenvironmental conditions.

Is amino acid geochronology part of the work?

Yes. The announcement includes analyzing ostracodes and mollusks using amino acid geochronology to help constrain the timing of sediment deposition and related events.

Are stable isotope analyses included, and what isotopes are mentioned?

Yes. The announcement describes preparing and analyzing ostracodes and carbonates for stable isotope measurements of oxygen and carbon.

What are the stable isotope measurements generally used to infer?

The oxygen and carbon stable isotope measurements are typically used to infer aspects of past hydrology, temperature, water balance, and carbon cycle signals.

Is radiocarbon dating included in the scope?

Yes. The announcement includes preparing samples for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon (14C) dating to establish or refine chronologies.

What is the overall intended outcome of combining these methods?

Taken together, the work is intended to produce stronger age control and more reliable environmental interpretations from sediment records, supporting reconstructions of paleoclimate variability and understanding ecosystem and geomorphic responses over time.

How many awards did USGS anticipate making?

USGS anticipated making one award.

What is the estimated total funding amount?

The estimated total funding amount is $100,000.

Are there stated minimum or maximum award amounts?

The source listing shows an award ceiling and floor as zero, which is noted as a common quirk of how older postings were entered. The estimated total funding amount of $100,000 indicates the approximate scale intended for the single cooperative agreement award.

Is cost-sharing or matching required?

No. The announcement lists no cost-sharing or matching requirement.

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on June 28, 2010.

What was the closing date?

The original and current closing date listed is July 26, 2010.

What is the archive date?

The archive date is August 25, 2010.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to organizations that are already participating partners of the Great Basin Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program.

What is a CESU in the context of this opportunity?

CESUs are structured partnerships that connect federal agencies with universities, research institutions, and other partners to provide research, technical assistance, and education aligned with resource management needs.

What does eligibility mean in practical terms for this specific opportunity?

Applicants must be within the established Great Basin CESU network to be considered eligible under this specific financial assistance mechanism.

Who is the contact person for access issues or help with the full announcement?

The listed contact is Faith Graves, Contract Specialist.

How can the contact person be reached?

Faith Graves can be reached by phone at 703-648-7356.