Opportunity Information: Apply for G15AC00168

  • The Geological Survey in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Optimizing forest road networks to minimize sediment loads and to protect salmonid habit in the face of climate change." and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.808 U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection.
  • This funding opportunity was created on May 4, 2015 and posted on May 4, 2015.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by May 15, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • The funding agency has allocated a total of $30,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $30,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
Apply for G15AC00168

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Opportunity Summary:

This funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number G15AC00168) was a discretionary U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) cooperative agreement focused on environmental research aimed at improving forest road network design and management to reduce sediment delivery to streams and, in turn, protect salmonid habitat under changing climate conditions. In practical terms, the project theme centers on a well-known driver of aquatic habitat degradation in forested watersheds: poorly located, aging, or high-density road systems that concentrate runoff, trigger erosion, and route fine sediments into channels where salmon and trout spawn, rear, and migrate. The opportunity frames the problem through a climate change lens, recognizing that shifting precipitation patterns, more intense storm events, altered snowmelt timing, and higher peak flows can increase road-related erosion risks and sediment pulses, potentially amplifying impacts on cold-water fish habitats.

The award was structured as a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates that substantial involvement from the federal agency is expected during the project (for example, in coordinating methods, data standards, study design, or interpretation of results). The funding activity category was listed as Environment, and the CFDA number associated with the program was 15.808 (U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection), reflecting the research and data-focused nature of the work rather than construction or implementation funding for on-the-ground road repairs.

Funding was relatively small and targeted: the estimated total funding amount was $30,000, with an award ceiling of $30,000 and a floor of $19,000, and USGS anticipated making one award. There was no cost sharing or matching requirement, which can make participation more feasible for academic teams that do not have dedicated match funding. Eligible applicants were limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, signaling that the effort was intended for universities or similar state institutions with research capacity in hydrology, geomorphology, watershed modeling, fisheries habitat science, or forest engineering.

The timeline was short and fixed. The opportunity was posted and created on May 4, 2015, and it closed on May 15, 2015, with an archive date of June 14, 2015. This suggests the solicitation was likely aimed at a specific, well-scoped research task that could be launched quickly, potentially building on existing datasets, established modeling frameworks, or an ongoing collaboration where the key question was to optimize road networks to minimize sediment impacts while accounting for future climate stressors.

For applicants needing assistance accessing the full announcement, the listed contact was Stewart Evans, Contracting Officer at USGS, reachable by phone at 916-278-9334 or by email at sevans@usgs.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the funding opportunity number for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number is G15AC00168.

Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

This opportunity was offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

What type of award is it?

The award was structured as a cooperative agreement, which typically means the federal agency expects to be substantially involved in the project (for example, coordination on methods, data standards, study design, and/or interpretation of results).

What is the main purpose or focus of the project?

The project focuses on environmental research to improve forest road network design and management in order to reduce sediment delivery to streams and help protect salmonid habitat (such as salmon and trout) under changing climate conditions.

What problem is the opportunity trying to address?

The opportunity targets a common driver of aquatic habitat degradation in forested watersheds: poorly located, aging, or high-density road systems that concentrate runoff, increase erosion, and route fine sediment into stream channels where salmonids spawn, rear, and migrate.

How does climate change relate to this opportunity?

The opportunity frames road-related sediment risks through a climate lens, noting that shifting precipitation patterns, more intense storm events, altered snowmelt timing, and higher peak flows can increase erosion risks from roads and cause sediment pulses that may worsen impacts on cold-water fish habitat.

What is the funding activity category?

The funding activity category was listed as Environment.

What CFDA number is associated with this program?

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

Is this funding intended for research or for on-the-ground construction/repairs?

Based on the description and the CFDA listing, the opportunity is oriented toward research and data collection rather than construction or implementation funding for on-the-ground road repairs.

How much funding was available?

The estimated total funding amount was $30,000.

What was the minimum and maximum award size?

The award ceiling was $30,000 and the award floor was $19,000.

How many awards did USGS expect to make?

USGS anticipated making one award.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity stated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants were limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education.

What kinds of university expertise would fit this project theme?

The description suggests the work would align with university research capacity in areas such as hydrology, geomorphology, watershed modeling, fisheries habitat science, or forest engineering.

When was the opportunity posted and created?

The opportunity was posted and created on May 4, 2015.

What was the application closing date?

The opportunity closed on May 15, 2015.

When was the opportunity archived?

The archive date listed for the opportunity was June 14, 2015.

What does the short timeline suggest about the project scope?

The short, fixed window suggests the solicitation was likely aimed at a specific, well-scoped research task that could start quickly, potentially leveraging existing datasets, established modeling frameworks, or an ongoing collaboration related to optimizing road networks to minimize sediment impacts under future climate stressors.

Who is the point of contact for help accessing the full announcement?

The listed contact was Stewart Evans, Contracting Officer at USGS.

How can the point of contact be reached?

Phone: 916-278-9334
Email: sevans@usgs.gov

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