Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Gulf Coast CESU | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Gulf Coast CESU grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number G13AS00050)?

It was a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Wetlands Research Center (NWRC) funding call issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) framework. The opportunity focused on applied research and tool improvement related to invasive species information management and spatial data visualization, with an emphasis on practical usability gains for ecological modeling tools and their user interfaces.

Which agency offered this funding opportunity?

The awarding agency was the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), listed as "Agency: Geological Survey." The work was tied to USGS National Wetlands Research Center (NWRC) priorities.

What type of award mechanism was used?

The opportunity was issued as a discretionary cooperative agreement under the CESU framework.

What was the main purpose or intent of the funding call?

The broader intent was to support practical advances that make ecological modeling tools more usable. In the announcement, that usability goal was closely linked to improving user interfaces and improving how model outputs or related datasets can be discovered and interpreted in a spatial (geographic) context.

What research themes or topic areas did the solicitation emphasize?

Two central themes were highlighted: (1) invasive species information management with a specific focus on international data discovery and sharing barriers, and (2) automated, spatially oriented visualizations that present information geographically (for example, systems that automatically generate maps, dashboards, or other spatial products).

Was this funding intended for collecting new invasive species data?

The solicitation emphasized that it was not simply about collecting new invasive species data. Instead, it prioritized understanding the existing data ecosystem and proposing or demonstrating ways to make cross-border discovery and sharing easier and more reliable for scientists, managers, and decision-makers.

What kinds of cross-border data-sharing barriers was the opportunity concerned with?

The grant call highlighted real-world obstacles to finding, accessing, and sharing invasive species data across international boundaries. Examples described in the synopsis included inconsistent data standards, incompatible formats, language and terminology differences, varying data policies and permissions, uneven data quality, and technical hurdles such as disconnected databases or limited metadata.

What does "international data discovery and sharing" mean in this context?

In the context of the announcement, it refers to the practical ability to locate (discover), obtain access to (find and retrieve), and exchange (share) invasive species information when monitoring and response efforts span multiple jurisdictions, agencies, and countries.

What was the emphasis on spatial data visualization?

The NWRC highlighted interest in reviewing or evaluating existing visualization systems that automatically generate spatial products, such as maps or dashboards. The intent was to understand what tools already exist, how well they handle invasive species data across regions or nations, and where they fall short for end users.

How does visualization connect to ecological modeling in this opportunity?

The opportunity tied visualization to modeling workflows by focusing on improved ecological modeling tools and user interfaces. The desired direction suggested clearer and more actionable visual outputs, better ways for users to interact with model inputs and results, and interfaces that reduce friction for people who rely on ecological models but are not software specialists.

What category was the opportunity listed under?

It was categorized under "Science and Technology and other Research and Development."

How many awards were expected?

The listing anticipated a single award (Expected Awards: 1).

What was the estimated total funding amount?

The estimated total funding amount was $425,000.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching was required, meaning the approved project costs could be covered by federal funds without a required non-federal match (as stated in the synopsis).

Was there an award ceiling or award floor?

The listing showed no stated award ceiling or floor (both indicated as 0). This typically signals that the final funded amount would be governed by the scope of work, negotiations, and the total amount available rather than a fixed per-award minimum or maximum stated in the synopsis.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was restricted to partners in the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. The synopsis indicates it was not an open competition to the general public or all institutions; only organizations already participating as Gulf Coast CESU partners could apply.

What is a CESU partnership (as described in the opportunity)?

CESUs were described as structured partnerships that link federal agencies with universities, research institutions, and other organizations to deliver research, technical assistance, and education. This opportunity operated within that CESU partnership structure.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on May 20, 2013. The original and current closing date listed was May 30, 2013, indicating a short application window.

When was the opportunity archived?

The opportunity was later archived on August 20, 2013.

Where were applicants directed to find the official announcement details?

The announcement directed applicants to Grants.gov for further details.

Who was the contact for Grants.gov access issues?

The contact listed for access issues was Faith Graves. The synopsis provided a phone number (703-648-7356) and email address (fgraves@usgs.gov).

What kinds of project outcomes was the solicitation aiming to support?

Based on the synopsis, the intended outcomes centered on practical improvements that make invasive species data easier to discover, access, and share across borders, along with improvements to automated spatial visualization approaches. These improvements were intended to strengthen ecological modeling tools by making interfaces and spatial interpretation of outputs more usable for real-world decision-making.