Opportunity Information: Apply for G16AS00127
Apply for G16AS00127
- The Department of the Interior, Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Rivers 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 Aug 23, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 06, 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 $60,000.00 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:
The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Rivers CESU funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number G16AS00127) is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) discretionary grant offered through the Department of the Interior to support applied research and development focused on large-river conservation. Structured as a cooperative agreement under CFDA 15.808, the award is designed to be carried out by an eligible CESU partner (the opportunity notes eligibility as "Others," with the key requirement clarified in the full announcement as being a CESU partner within the Great Rivers CESU network). The program anticipated a single award with an estimated maximum federal funding level (award ceiling) of $60,000.
The scientific purpose of the project is to address a persistent and management-critical problem in sturgeon conservation: uncertainty about the nature, frequency, and geographic extent of hybridization between the endangered pallid sturgeon and the more common shovelnose sturgeon across their overlapping range. Because pallid sturgeon recovery efforts depend on accurately identifying individuals and understanding population-level genetic integrity, any widespread hybridization or introgression (the movement of genes from one species into another through repeated backcrossing) can complicate listing protections, monitoring, and decisions about where and how to prioritize conservation actions. In practical terms, managers need to know how often hybrids occur, whether hybridization is localized or widespread, and whether genetic mixing is creating long-term risks to the distinctiveness and recovery of pallid sturgeon in large river ecosystems.
A central issue highlighted by the opportunity is that existing genetic markers and analytical approaches are not adequate to fully characterize pallid-shovelnose hybridization. That limitation affects both scientific understanding and on-the-ground management, because uncertain species identification can ripple into inaccurate population estimates, misinformed take or stocking decisions, and inconsistent enforcement or regulatory determinations in systems where both species and their hybrids may be present. The USGS therefore seeks research that evaluates and improves the analytical toolbox used for species assignment and hybrid detection, with an emphasis on identifying clear pathways toward rapidly developing genetic methods that are both cost-effective and suitable for operational use (meaning tools that can realistically be adopted by agencies for routine monitoring, assessments, and decision support rather than only for one-off academic studies).
In scope, the work is aimed at two connected outcomes: first, better characterization of hybridization patterns between pallid and shovelnose sturgeon, and second, evaluation of genetic analyses that can improve species identification and quantify the threat of introgression. While the notice does not prescribe a single technical approach, its emphasis signals the expectation that the recipient will assess current marker performance, test alternative analytical frameworks for assigning individuals to species or hybrid classes, and provide recommendations for next-step development of genetic tools that can be implemented efficiently at scale. The broader conservation payoff is a stronger scientific foundation for pallid sturgeon recovery planning and a clearer basis for prioritizing management actions in large river ecosystems where these sturgeon occur.
Administratively, the opportunity was posted on August 23, 2016, with an original closing date of September 6, 2016, and it projected one award. The cooperative agreement mechanism also suggests meaningful federal involvement during the project, which often includes collaboration on study design, data interpretation, and ensuring that deliverables align with management needs. Overall, this opportunity targets a specific, high-impact applied research need: improving genetic identification and hybridization assessment methods to reduce uncertainty and strengthen recovery and management decisions for an endangered sturgeon species.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU), Great Rivers CESU funding opportunity, Funding Opportunity Number G16AS00127.
Which federal agency is offering this grant?
The grant is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) through the Department of the Interior.
What type of funding mechanism is being used?
The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates active federal involvement during the project (for example, collaboration on study design, interpretation of results, and alignment of deliverables with management needs).
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.808.
What is the purpose of this funding opportunity?
The purpose is to support applied research and development focused on large-river conservation, specifically targeting a management-critical problem in sturgeon conservation: uncertainty around hybridization between endangered pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon across their overlapping range.
What conservation problem is the project trying to address?
The project focuses on determining the nature, frequency, and geographic extent of hybridization and introgression between pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon. This matters because hybridization can complicate species identification, population assessment, and recovery planning for pallid sturgeon.
Why is hybridization between pallid and shovelnose sturgeon such a management concern?
Pallid sturgeon recovery depends on accurate identification of individuals and a clear understanding of genetic integrity at the population level. If hybridization or introgression is widespread, it can affect monitoring, protections tied to listing status, and decisions about where and how to prioritize conservation actions in large-river ecosystems.
What is introgression in the context of this opportunity?
Introgression is described as the movement of genes from one species into another through repeated backcrossing. In this case, it refers to gene flow between pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon that could create long-term risks to the distinctiveness and recovery of pallid sturgeon.
What is the main scientific gap identified in the opportunity?
The opportunity highlights that existing genetic markers and analytical approaches are not adequate to fully characterize pallid-shovelnose hybridization. This limitation creates uncertainty in species assignment and hybrid detection.
How can inadequate genetic tools affect real-world management decisions?
Uncertain identification can lead to inaccurate population estimates, misinformed take or stocking decisions, and inconsistent enforcement or regulatory determinations in rivers where both species and their hybrids may occur.
What kinds of research activities does USGS appear to be seeking?
USGS is seeking research that evaluates and improves the analytical toolbox for species assignment and hybrid detection. The emphasis is on assessing current marker performance, testing alternative analytical frameworks for assigning individuals to species or hybrid classes, and recommending next steps for developing genetic tools suitable for efficient implementation at scale.
Does the opportunity require a specific technical method for genetic analysis?
No single technical approach is prescribed in the notice. However, the emphasis indicates an expectation that the recipient will evaluate current genetic marker performance, test improved analytical approaches for species assignment and hybrid detection, and outline clear pathways for rapid development of cost-effective tools.
What does the opportunity mean by tools being "operational"?
"Operational use" is described as genetic methods that are cost-effective and suitable for routine adoption by agencies for monitoring, assessments, and decision support, rather than tools intended only for one-off academic studies.
What are the two connected outcomes the work is intended to support?
The scope targets (1) better characterization of hybridization patterns between pallid and shovelnose sturgeon and (2) evaluation of genetic analyses that can improve species identification and quantify the threat of introgression.
How many awards were anticipated?
The program anticipated a single award.
What is the maximum federal funding level for this opportunity?
The estimated maximum federal funding level (award ceiling) is $60,000.
Who is eligible to apply?
The opportunity notes eligibility as "Others," with the key requirement clarified in the full announcement as being a CESU partner within the Great Rivers CESU network.
Is this opportunity limited to Great Rivers CESU partners?
Yes. Based on the description provided, eligibility is tied to being a CESU partner in the Great Rivers CESU network.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on August 23, 2016, and the original closing date was September 6, 2016.
What is the overarching conservation benefit expected from this work?
The expected payoff is a stronger scientific foundation for pallid sturgeon recovery planning and clearer prioritization of management actions in large river ecosystems, enabled by improved genetic identification and hybridization assessment methods.
What role might USGS play during the project under a cooperative agreement?
The cooperative agreement mechanism suggests meaningful federal involvement, often including collaboration on study design, interpretation of findings, and ensuring deliverables are aligned with management needs.
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