Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) N62473-25-2-0007

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is offering a cooperative agreement funding opportunity to a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) partner affiliated with the Gulf Coast CESU. This initiative focuses on advancing research into the spatial ecology of large marine vertebrates in the Gulf of America. The aim is to improve understanding of the past and present distributions of imperiled species and species of commercial and recreational value, as well as the ecological drivers that influence these distributions. A key challenge is that data on these species are held by multiple owners in various formats, making synthesis and analysis complex. By collaborating with partners to standardize and integrate datasets, the project seeks to enable Gulf-wide assessments and to identify data gaps for targeted new collection efforts. This information will directly support management and restoration decisions such as setting catch limits, enhancing habitats, and guiding human activities like dredging. The primary research objective is to compile and analyze existing spatial data for large marine vertebrate species in the Gulf of America and, where needed, to conduct new data collection. The work will contribute to multiple management and restoration needs across the region. This is a collaborative effort between USGS and the selected CESU partner, who will work together to achieve the project’s technical and scientific goals. The anticipated funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. One award will be made, with one base year and up to three additional budget years, contingent on satisfactory progress and funding availability. The total estimated funding for the project is $400,000, with $206,000 expected in Budget Year 1. Proposals should be developed for the full four-year project period. Funding may be used for personnel, fringe benefits, supplies, equipment, contractual services, travel, and other direct and indirect costs, in line with USGS and CESU guidelines. CESU partners must adhere to a negotiated indirect cost rate of 17.5%. Eligibility is limited to participating partners of the Gulf Coast CESU. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov, referencing Funding Opportunity Number G25AS00325. The proposal must include a technical narrative covering introduction, objectives, methods, planned products, dissemination strategy, schedule, references, and relevant legal, policy, animal use, or human subjects considerations. A detailed budget narrative aligned with SF-424A categories is required, as well as a Data Management Plan in compliance with USGS policies. Biographical sketches and current and pending support information must follow NSPM-33 guidelines. Applications will be evaluated by USGS technical personnel based on purpose, objectives, and relevance (25 points), technical approach (25 points), budget justification and clarity (25 points), and qualifications, experience, and past performance (25 points). Proposals must clearly demonstrate expertise in marine vertebrate ecology, experience with spatial data, and the ability to conduct similar work in the Gulf of America or comparable ecosystems. Award recipients will be responsible for program and fiscal management, compliance with all applicable federal regulations, and timely reporting. Annual progress reports, a final technical report, and financial reports (SF-425) must be submitted electronically via GrantSolutions. Publications resulting from the work must acknowledge USGS support and adhere to USGS Fundamental Science Practices. Use of the USGS logo must comply with trademark restrictions. Questions about the application process should be directed to Rachel Miller, Grant Specialist, U.S. Geological Survey, Acquisitions and Grants Branch, at rachelmiller@usgs.gov. Technical questions should be sent to Dr. Margaret Lamont, U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, at mlamont@usgs.gov, 352-209-4306.