Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the funding opportunity being described?

This opportunity is the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU), Rocky Mountain CESU funding announcement from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The Funding Opportunity Number is G11AS20050, and it was issued through the Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NOROCK).

Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), with the announcement issued through the Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NOROCK).

What type of funding instrument is used (grant or cooperative agreement)?

The announcement is structured as a cooperative agreement. This typically means the work is expected to be carried out with substantial involvement from the federal sponsor, rather than being conducted entirely independently by the recipient.

What is the main purpose of the project?

The stated purpose is to bring partners together to develop an adaptive management framework that can handle changing environmental and management conditions, and to improve how scientific information connects to real-world natural resource decisions.

What does the opportunity mean by "adaptive management"?

Adaptive management is described as a structured approach to decision-making that treats management actions as opportunities to learn and adjust over time. In practical terms, it often includes clear objectives, management alternatives, measurable indicators, monitoring outcomes, and using results to refine future decisions.

What is the technical focus of the work?

The technical focus is on developing and applying an adaptive management framework. The announcement emphasizes linking appropriate science to management decisions, pointing to decision-relevant research, usable tools, and collaborative processes that support consistent application across administrative units.

Why is working across jurisdictional boundaries a central theme?

A central theme is that the framework should support coordination across jurisdictional boundaries, meaning it should help decision-makers coordinate management actions and science support when responsibilities are shared among multiple agencies, governments, or land managers.

What kinds of coordination issues is the framework expected to address?

Based on the announcement description, the framework is likely expected to address cross-boundary coordination needs such as how information is shared, how common goals and metrics are developed, and how partners coordinate monitoring and evaluation so learning and decision-making are not fragmented.

How many awards were expected to be made?

Only one award was anticipated under this opportunity.

What is the estimated total funding amount?

The estimated total funding amount listed for the opportunity is $80,182.

Why are the award ceiling and award floor both shown as $0?

The award ceiling and floor are both listed as $0, which generally indicates the agency did not specify fixed limits in those fields, even though an estimated total funding amount is provided.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The announcement indicates there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants were not required to contribute non-federal funds as a condition of receiving the award.

Who is eligible to apply?

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

Are organizations outside the Rocky Mountain CESU partner network eligible?

No. Applicants outside the Rocky Mountain CESU partner network would not be eligible unless they were part of that participating partnership structure, as described in the eligibility clarification.

What is a CESU in the context of this opportunity?

CESUs are formal partnerships designed to connect federal agencies with universities, tribes, and other qualified entities to provide research, technical assistance, and education. This opportunity is tied specifically to the Rocky Mountain CESU partner network.

What CFDA program is associated with this funding?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.808, titled U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection.

What is the funding activity category?

The funding activity category is listed as Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

When was the opportunity posted?

The posting timeline shows the opportunity was posted on June 20, 2011.

What was the original closing date, and was it extended?

The original closing date was June 30, 2011, and it was later extended to a current closing date of July 15, 2011.

Is this funding opportunity still open?

No. The archive date is September 15, 2011, which indicates the opportunity is no longer open.

Where was the announcement posted or referenced?

The announcement referenced Grants.gov as the source for additional details.

Who should be contacted for access issues related to the announcement?

For access issues, the announcement provided a contact: Faith Graves at 703-648-7356 or fgraves@usgs.gov.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is G11AS20050.

Which USGS center is associated with administering or issuing the opportunity?

The opportunity was issued through the USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NOROCK).