Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Upper and Middle Mississippi Valley CESU | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the focus of this grant opportunity?

This opportunity supports research to improve how Illinois manages chronic wasting disease (CWD) in wild deer, with an emphasis on understanding how the disease may spread and how deer move across the landscape in and around the Illinois area where CWD was detected.

Which agency is issuing the funding opportunity?

The opportunity is issued by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) through the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program for the Upper and Middle Mississippi Valley region.

What problem is the project trying to address?

The project is driven by concern that, if CWD is not effectively controlled, it can spread across large areas and cause long-term harm to deer populations. The notice indicates that common management approaches used to date, especially localized population reduction, have had limited success, pointing to the need for more targeted and science-based strategies.

What is chronic wasting disease (CWD) as described in the notice?

CWD is described as an always-fatal, contagious neurodegenerative disease affecting North American deer, elk, and moose. At the time of the announcement, it had recently been detected in free-ranging white-tailed deer in Illinois.

What is the main purpose of the funded research?

The main purpose is to generate applied, management-relevant science that clarifies CWD transmission dynamics and deer movement patterns so Illinois can improve ongoing disease control decisions.

Which Illinois entity identified the need for this research?

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which is responsible for wildlife management in the state, identified a need for better information about transmission dynamics and the potential for deer to move the disease beyond the initial affected area.

How does USGS fit into the research effort?

USGS (particularly its Biological Resources Division) notes it is already engaged in CWD research and is seeking to support state needs where CWD has been found in free-ranging populations. The solicitation expects the work to be conducted collaboratively with USGS and Illinois DNR.

What types of research activities does the solicitation suggest?

The notice provides examples of research directions, including: (1) examining genetic relatedness among deer as a proxy for historical movement patterns, (2) analyzing deer mobility potential in the CWD-affected region by evaluating landscape features, barriers, habitat connectivity, and factors influencing dispersal, and (3) building models to estimate the potential for deer and CWD to move within and beyond the affected area.

Does the opportunity require collaboration with other organizations?

Yes. The solicitation indicates the work is expected to be done collaboratively with both USGS and Illinois DNR.

What is meant by using genetic relatedness as a proxy for movement?

The suggested approach is to examine genetic relatedness among deer to infer historical movement and mixing patterns across the region over time, which can help identify where natural movement corridors may exist.

What does "deer mobility potential" refer to in this opportunity?

It refers to assessing how far and how often deer might disperse in the CWD-affected region, potentially by evaluating landscape characteristics, habitat connectivity, and barriers that influence movement.

What is the role of modeling in the proposed work?

Modeling is suggested to estimate the potential for deer and CWD to move within the affected area and to spread beyond it, supporting landscape-scale prediction and helping managers decide where interventions might best slow transmission.

What kind of award is this?

This is a discretionary award issued as a cooperative agreement.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

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

How many awards are expected?

The expected number of awards is one.

What is the total funding amount available?

Total funding is $40,000.

Is there a minimum or maximum award amount?

Yes. The ceiling and floor are both stated as $40,000, meaning the project is scoped as a single fixed-size award of $40,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The notice states that no cost sharing or matching is required.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to applicants who are approved partners in the Upper and Middle Mississippi Valley CESU and who are located within the State of Illinois.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The announcement was posted on October 31, 2007, and the application closing date was November 9, 2007.

What does it mean that the opportunity was archived?

The notice indicates it was archived on December 9, 2007, which signals the posting is no longer current as an active solicitation.

Who is the listed contact for access issues?

The listed contact for access issues is Faith Graves, Contract Specialist, at 703-648-7356.

What geographic area is this opportunity associated with?

It is associated with the Upper and Middle Mississippi Valley CESU region, and eligibility requires applicants to be located in Illinois. The research focus is the Illinois area where CWD was detected and surrounding landscapes relevant to potential spread.

What is the intended use of the research results?

The results are intended to support applied decision-making for CWD control in Illinois, including understanding where deer move, how CWD might spread, and where interventions could be most effective.