Cooperative Ecoystem Studies Unit, Gulf Coast CESU | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is this grant opportunity about?

This opportunity supports a focused effort to modernize and upgrade existing U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) computer simulation models and related datasets used to study hurricanes, sea level dynamics, and ecosystem responses in coastal environments. The upgraded tools are intended to be reliable for a forest damage assessment tied to Hurricane Sandy.

Which USGS office is issuing the opportunity?

The opportunity was issued by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) through its National Wetlands Research Center (NWRC) in Lafayette, Louisiana.

What is the main purpose of funding?

The main purpose is to bring older USGS-developed modeling tools and associated datasets up to current standards (software compatibility, computing approaches, visualization, and data management) so they can be used to simulate and analyze Hurricane Sandy impacts on coastal forested ecosystems and compare those impacts to prior hurricanes and longer-term climate history.

What kinds of models and data are being updated?

The project focuses on USGS-developed computer simulation models and their associated datasets. The announcement indicates these models already exist but may be years or decades old and are now considered outdated in terms of technology and usability.

What is meant by "modernize and upgrade" in this context?

Modernization and upgrade refers to producing updated executable programs and refreshed datasets that restore and extend the functional capabilities of multiple related USGS models. The effort also includes improving compatibility, efficiency, visualization, and data management so the tools are usable for current scientific objectives.

How will the updated models be used related to Hurricane Sandy?

Once upgraded, the models will support simulation and analysis of how Hurricane Sandy winds and storm surge affected coastal forested ecosystems along the Atlantic Coast, enabling comparisons to patterns from earlier hurricanes and longer-term climate and sea level history.

What environmental drivers or processes will the upgraded modeling suite help quantify?

The updated tools are intended to quantify key drivers and processes including hurricane wind fields, storm tide behavior, runoff, and the combined influence of climate variability and sea level change over roughly the past century or more.

What is the overall end goal of the project?

The end goal is a more defensible, integrated modeling suite that supports rigorous comparisons between Hurricane Sandy and previous storms, while also placing storm impacts within the broader context of long-term environmental change.

Is this a standard grant or a cooperative agreement?

This opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement rather than a simple grant, meaning USGS expects substantial collaboration during the project rather than a hands-off funding arrangement.

What does the cooperative agreement structure imply about working with USGS?

The announcement emphasizes frequent interaction and close coordination between cooperating institutions and USGS. It calls for collaboration to exchange model code, test and review model performance, and improve model integration and efficiency.

What skills or capabilities are emphasized for this project?

The opportunity explicitly calls for a blend of advanced computing, GIS capabilities, modern programming skills, visualization tools, and database design, along with technical and subject-matter expertise contributed by USGS personnel and university partners.

How much funding is available?

The total estimated funding amount is $250,000.

How many awards are expected?

The opportunity indicates an expectation of one award.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost-sharing or matching requirement is noted in the provided information.

What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The opportunity falls under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 15.808 (U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection).

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to partners within the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) framework, specifically those participating in the Gulf Coast CESU Program. Applicants needed to be recognized partners in the Gulf Coast CESU to be considered eligible.

What is the CESU framework (as described in the notice)?

CESUs are partnership-based networks designed to provide research, technical assistance, and education through collaboration among federal agencies and affiliated institutions.

What were the key dates for the opportunity?

The posting date was August 1, 2013. The application closing date was August 12, 2013. The opportunity was archived on November 1, 2013.

Is this opportunity still active?

No. The opportunity was archived on November 1, 2013, based on the provided information.

Who was the contact person listed for access issues or help?

The listed contact was Faith Graves at USGS, with phone and email information provided in the notice.

What is the geographic or study focus mentioned?

The work is aimed at improving modeling of Hurricane Sandy impacts on coastal forested ecosystems along the Atlantic Coast, while leveraging model capability to examine longer-term coastal environmental change (including climate variability and sea level change) over approximately the past century or more.

Does the project create entirely new models?

The emphasis is on upgrading and integrating existing USGS-developed models and datasets rather than building entirely new tools from scratch.

What kinds of project collaboration activities are described?

The announcement describes exchanging model code, testing and reviewing performance, improving integration and efficiency, validating outputs, ensuring datasets are usable, and aligning upgrades with the scientific objectives of the Hurricane Sandy coastal forest impact study.