Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Plains CESU | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the name of this grant opportunity?

This opportunity is the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Plains CESU grant opportunity, issued under Funding Opportunity Number (FON) G13AS00052.

Which federal agency offered this funding call?

The funding call was issued by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), through the USGS South Dakota Water Science Center (SDWSC).

What is the main purpose of the opportunity?

The core purpose was to support applied research focused on water availability and water quality in South Dakota, with an emphasis on producing science and data that water managers can use for decision-making under changing environmental and economic conditions.

What kinds of water systems and connections were emphasized?

The opportunity emphasized understanding how groundwater and surface water conditions affect, and are affected by, connected aquifers, watersheds, and reservoirs.

What types of projects were encouraged in terms of practical outcomes?

Projects were framed around real-world management pressures and were intended to generate practical, decision-relevant information for water managers dealing with changing conditions.

What were the major research drivers or stressors mentioned?

The notice described several overlapping stressors, including energy development-related water demands, land-use and crop shifts tied to ethanol production, hydrologic extremes (flooding and drought/low-flow periods), climate variability and related agricultural changes (such as expansion of tile drainage), municipal development and population growth impacts on surface-water quality, and reservoir shoreline erosion affecting Tribal Nations.

How did energy development relate to the research focus?

The announcement highlighted that energy development in South Dakota and nearby states can place heavy demands on local water supplies from aquifers, rivers, and reservoirs, motivating research that helps understand and manage those pressures.

Why were ethanol production and changing crop types mentioned?

Shifts in crop types and land use associated with ethanol production were noted because agricultural conversion and intensified production can change runoff, groundwater recharge, and contaminant pathways.

Did the opportunity address flooding and drought?

Yes. It referenced sharp hydrologic swings, including record flooding followed by multi-year low-flow or drought periods, and emphasized the need for studies that characterize extremes, quantify impacts, and support planning for both flood and drought conditions.

How did climate variability factor into the topics of interest?

Climate variability was identified as a central concern, including how it may influence agricultural practices such as the expansion of tile drainage, which can affect the timing and chemistry of water entering streams and groundwater systems.

What water quality issues related to municipal growth were noted?

The notice pointed to municipal development and population growth as factors that can affect surface-water quality through stormwater runoff, wastewater loading, and altered land cover.

How were Tribal Nations referenced in the opportunity?

The opportunity acknowledged impacts to Tribal Nations, including the loss of valuable lands along reservoirs due to extreme erosion, and signaled interest in work that can inform understanding and mitigation of erosion on reservoir shorelines and nearby environments.

What type of funding mechanism was used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

This was described as a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates the USGS anticipated substantial involvement or collaboration during the project.

What was the activity category for this opportunity?

The activity category was science and technology and other research and development.

What CFDA number was associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity was tied to CFDA 15.808, described as USGS Research and Data Collection.

How much total funding was estimated to be available?

The estimated total funding amount listed was $410,000.

How many awards were expected?

The opportunity indicated an expectation of one award.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

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

Was there a stated minimum or maximum award amount?

The award ceiling and floor were both listed as zero, which typically means the public synopsis did not specify formal minimum or maximum award sizes and applicants would need to consult the full announcement for project scale expectations.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was limited to organizations that were already participating partners in the Great Plains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program.

What is the Great Plains CESU in practical terms (as described here)?

CESUs were described as collaborative partnerships designed to connect federal agencies with universities, nonprofits, tribes, and other partners to deliver research, technical assistance, and education. For this opportunity, applicants needed to be part of that established CESU network.

Where were applicants directed to find the full announcement?

The public listing directed applicants to Grants.gov for the full announcement.

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on June 4, 2013.

What was the application closing date?

The original and current closing date was June 14, 2013.

When was the opportunity archived?

The opportunity was archived on September 4, 2013.

Who was the contact person for questions or access issues?

The contact listed was Faith Graves.

What contact details were provided?

Phone: 703-648-7356. Email: fgraves@usgs.gov.