Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Californian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Western Ecological Research Center has issued a Cooperative Agreement opportunity under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. This funding opportunity invites proposals from member universities of the Californian CESU, aiming to conduct research that supports coastal wetland and seagrass ecology relevant to both natural resource management and national security. The primary geographic focus includes Pacific Coast wetlands and Department of Defense (DoD) installations, particularly those in the Mariana Archipelago, including Guam and Tinian. These ecosystems offer critical services such as coastal protection, habitat for species, and carbon sequestration. The proposed research will inform restoration practices and management strategies essential for sustainable stewardship by state, federal, and DoD land managers. The program's objectives emphasize both scientific rigor and practical application. Researchers are expected to develop planning documents for marsh, mangrove, and seagrass ecosystems, focusing on restoration viability and current ecological conditions. Field surveys will be conducted to evaluate ecosystem health and identify restoration opportunities that enhance ecological resilience. Researchers must also investigate how environmental variables such as elevation, vegetation, topography, soil chemistry, and watershed dynamics affect ecosystem responses to disturbance and recovery efforts. The culmination of these activities should be presented in analytical reports and scientific publications that can be used by policy makers and land managers. The funding mechanism for this initiative is a cooperative agreement. One award is anticipated, structured over a three-year period, beginning with a base year and extending through two additional budget years contingent on satisfactory progress and funding availability. The total estimated funding is $495,000, with $300,000 allocated for Budget Year 1. Proposals must reflect this full three-year scope. The CESU negotiated indirect cost rate is capped at 17.5%, and all proposals must adhere to this restriction. No matching funds are explicitly required, although a complete and well-justified budget narrative is critical. Eligible applicants must be members of the Californian CESU network. The application process is exclusively online through Grants.gov using the opportunity number G26AS00070. The application package must include a detailed technical narrative, budget narrative aligned with SF-424A categories, biographical sketches, current and pending support forms, a project abstract summary, and a data management plan. Submission must comply with requirements on confidentiality, foreign affiliations, and data availability. Proposals will be evaluated on four equally weighted criteria: clarity and relevance of the research purpose and objectives; the rigor and feasibility of the technical approach; the reasonableness and alignment of the proposed budget; and the qualifications and past performance of the research team. Reviewers from USGS and other federal agencies will score proposals, with final decisions made by the Contracting Officer. The cooperative agreement will be administered via the GrantSolutions platform. Annual progress and financial reports are required, and a comprehensive final technical report is due 120 days after the end of the performance period. Contact for application-related questions is Rachel Miller ([email protected]), while technical inquiries should be directed to Dr. Karen Thorne ([email protected]). The solicitation is open now; the close date is not specified but proposals should reflect urgency to meet the initial award schedule. This program does not recur automatically, so future rounds are not guaranteed.

Score well on clearly defined objectives, feasible methods, documented qualifications, and a justified budget.