Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

This grant opportunity, titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU" (Funding Opportunity Number 09HQPA0067), is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) discretionary funding announcement issued as a cooperative agreement under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. It is specifically tied to the Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NoRock) and focuses on improving the ability to predict how wildlife diseases spread across large geographic areas. The central problem the project is trying to address is scale: common wildlife movement tools like radio telemetry and GPS collars can describe movements well within local or management-unit boundaries (roughly 10 to 100 miles), but those tools are less practical for understanding connectivity and movement patterns at statewide or regional scales (roughly 100 to 1,000 miles). Because disease dynamics are heavily influenced by how animals and populations connect across those broader landscapes, the opportunity is aimed at developing a more scalable, empirically grounded way to infer movement patterns that can support disease modeling and management decisions.

The work proposed in the announcement is to use genetic data as a proxy for broad-scale movement and population connectivity in mule deer across Montana. The project would analyze about 392 lymph node samples collected from mule deer distributed across the state. Using microsatellite genetic markers, the recipient would assess how strongly different mule deer populations are connected, which effectively provides insight into how frequently animals (or their genes) move between areas over time. The project also calls for comparing connectivity patterns between plains and montane (mountain-associated) habitats and for evaluating whether major landscape features such as large rivers and mountain ranges function as barriers that restrict movement or, alternatively, corridors that facilitate it. In practical terms, the project is trying to map out where mule deer populations are genetically well-mixed versus where they are more isolated, because those patterns can strongly influence where and how fast diseases can spread.

A major intended outcome is to build a foundation for future research that compares these DNA-based connectivity estimates with other emerging or less traditional movement-tracing approaches, including methods based on viral markers carried by mule deer. The long-term goal is to support development of broad-scale wildlife disease models that are grounded in real, measurable movement/connectivity data rather than assumptions. While chronic wasting disease (CWD) is the primary motivating concern mentioned, the announcement emphasizes that the same approach would be broadly useful for other current or future disease threats such as tuberculosis or foot-and-mouth disease, and more generally for wildlife conservation and management challenges where understanding population connectivity matters.

Administratively, the opportunity lists an estimated total funding amount of $29,939, with an expectation of one award. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. The CFDA number provided is 15.808 (U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection). The posting date and creation date are both August 12, 2009, and the closing date is August 20, 2009 (with the archive date listed as September 19, 2009). Eligibility is restricted: applicants must be participating partners of the Rocky Mountain CESU Program, since CESUs are structured partnerships designed to deliver research, technical assistance, and education in support of federal resource and science needs. The listed point of contact for access issues or questions is Faith Graves, Contract Specialist, reachable by phone at 703-648-7356.

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Geological Survey

Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development

Next opportunity: Chesapeake Bay Program Office Fiscal Year 2010 Request for Proposals (RFP) for Technical and Scientific Support Services

Previous opportunity: Conservation Management of Rivers in NWRS

USGrants.org Applicant Portal:

Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.

Apply for 09HQPA0067

 

[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?

Applicants also applied for:

Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (09HQPA0067) also looked into and applied for these:

 

Grant application guides and resources

It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!

Apply for Grants

 

 

Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers

Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.

If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.

Subscribe to Leads

 

Request more information:

Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "09HQPA0067", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:

Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.