Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU | Apply Online

FAQs: Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU (USGS) Grant Opportunity (G15AS00030)

What is this funding opportunity?

This was a small, targeted US Geological Survey (USGS) funding opportunity under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) framework. It is identified as the Rocky Mountain CESU grant opportunity with Funding Opportunity Number G15AS00030.

Who issued the opportunity?

The opportunity was issued by the USGS Wyoming Montana Water Science Center.

What type of award was planned?

The award was structured as a cooperative agreement under the CESU framework, meaning the recipient would work in coordination with USGS staff rather than operating as a fully independent contractor.

What was the overall purpose of the project?

The purpose was to generate high-quality DNA sequencing results and accompanying analyses from environmental biofilm samples to improve understanding of microbial biofilms as potential biomarkers of metal toxicity in a river system affected by metals.

What river system and location did the work focus on?

The work focused on the Clark Fork in western Montana.

What kinds of samples were involved?

The project involved sediment-associated environmental biofilm samples collected from 15 sampling sites along the Clark Fork.

Why are biofilms relevant to this research?

Biofilms are complex microbial communities that grow on surfaces in aquatic environments, and their composition can shift in response to environmental stressors such as heavy metals. This project aimed to use those community shifts as potential indicators (biomarkers) of metal toxicity.

What lab work had USGS already completed before this opportunity?

USGS had already completed PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA gene from the collected biofilm samples.

What genetic marker was used for microbial community profiling?

The 16S rRNA gene was the marker used, described in the announcement as a widely used genetic marker for profiling bacterial and archaeal community composition.

What work was applicants expected to perform?

The requested work centered on: (1) preparing the existing amplicons for sequencing by adding sample-specific barcodes (indexing) to enable multiplexing, (2) sequencing on an Illumina MiSeq platform, and (3) conducting downstream bioinformatics and analytical interpretation to translate raw sequence reads into meaningful microbial community data.

What sequencing platform was specified?

An Illumina MiSeq platform was specified.

What does indexing and multiplexing mean in the context of this opportunity?

Indexing refers to adding sample-specific barcodes to the existing PCR amplicons so that multiple samples can be pooled together in a single sequencing run. Multiplexing is the process of combining those barcoded samples into one run and later separating the reads by barcode during analysis.

Was this a broad research program or a narrow, defined task?

It was described as a focused, defined sequencing and analysis task tied directly to an ongoing USGS research project, rather than a broad, open-ended research program.

When was the opportunity posted?

It was posted on January 21, 2015.

When did the opportunity close?

It closed on February 2, 2015.

How long was the application window?

Based on the posted date (January 21, 2015) and closing date (February 2, 2015), the application window was short and intended for partners who could respond quickly.

How much funding was available?

The estimated total funding available was $12,000.

Was there an award ceiling or floor?

No award ceiling or floor was stated in the provided information.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. There was no cost-sharing or matching requirement stated.

What is the assistance listing (CFDA) associated with this opportunity?

The assistance listing (CFDA) was 15.808, US Geological Survey Research and Data Collection.

How was the activity category classified?

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

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was restricted to organizations that were already participating partners in the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program.

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

No. The competition was not open to the general public or to institutions outside the Rocky Mountain CESU network.

What is a CESU in the context of this opportunity?

CESUs are established partnerships that connect federal agencies with universities, tribes, and other research institutions to deliver research, technical assistance, and education. This opportunity was offered under that partnership structure.

Where were applicants directed to find the full posting?

The announcement directed users to Grants.gov for the full posting.

Who was the contact for access issues and what were the contact details?

The contact listed for access issues was Faith Graves, phone 703-648-7356, email fgraves@usgs.gov.

When was the opportunity archived?

The opportunity was later archived on March 21, 2015.

How should this grant opportunity be summarized at a high level?

This was a modest-dollar, short-deadline USGS cooperative agreement offered through the Rocky Mountain CESU, intended to complete a specific set of DNA sequencing and bioinformatics analyses (Illumina MiSeq sequencing of indexed 16S amplicons) for environmental biofilm samples from 15 sites on the Clark Fork River in western Montana, supporting a broader USGS effort to evaluate microbial biofilms as potential biomarkers of metal-related toxicity.