Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)

The United States Geological Survey (USGS), through its Wetland and Aquatic Research Center in Gainesville, Florida, is offering a cooperative agreement opportunity under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program. This funding opportunity is specifically targeted at CESU-affiliated partners of the Gulf Coast CESU and seeks to support the development of husbandry protocols for mesophotic soft corals. The focus of the initiative aligns with the restoration objectives for coral species impacted by the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill, specifically within the framework of the "Gulf of America Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Community (MDBC) Restoration" initiative. The research will directly support the Coral Propagation Technique Development Project, which is aimed at enhancing coral restoration outcomes. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to fund scientific research that will lead to improved understanding and implementation of ex-situ husbandry techniques for soft corals, particularly those affected by the DWH spill. Selected researchers will investigate critical parameters including species-specific dietary needs, trophic ecology, reproductive biology, juvenile growth rates, and microbial community interactions. These corals will be held in ex-situ aquaria, and the research will help establish scientifically validated husbandry protocols for their long-term care and propagation. Studies will include fertilization and settlement of gametes, assessments of live rock effects on microbial communities, and development of a growth trajectory model to inform restoration planning. The cooperative agreement anticipates a total funding amount of $202,643 distributed over a four-year project period. The base year will receive approximately $48,673, with additional years of funding contingent upon progress and availability of resources. The agreement includes one year of data collection and up to two years of analysis and synthesis. Proposals must be submitted in full to reflect the entire four-year duration and must align with CESU’s 17.5% indirect cost rate. All costs should be thoroughly itemized by budget category, and no pre-award costs will be covered. Eligible applicants must be formal partners within the Gulf Coast CESU. The proposal must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov under opportunity number G25AS00321. Applicants are required to follow specific formatting and submission instructions including a technical narrative, budget documents (including SF-424A), biographical sketches, current and pending support disclosures, and a project abstract summary (PAS). A Data Management Plan (DMP) must also be included to comply with USGS policy on research data dissemination. The review and selection process will be conducted by USGS and associated federal personnel based on four core criteria: clarity of purpose and relevance, technical approach, budget justification, and qualifications of the applicant team. Each section will be evaluated for feasibility, scientific rigor, and alignment with restoration goals. Contact information for questions is provided, including Rachel Miller (rachelmiller@usgs.gov) for grants administration and Dr. Amanda W.J. Demopoulos (ademopoulos@usgs.gov) for technical inquiries. Applications are expected to comply with the full set of terms, including performance reporting, financial tracking, and adherence to USGS publication and branding requirements. Progress reports are required annually, with final technical and financial reports due 120 days after project completion. The grant also contains standard federal provisions including restrictions on internal confidentiality agreements, guidance on geospatial data production, and obligations regarding data availability for federal verification and reuse.

Include detailed methodology, data dissemination plans, and adhere strictly to formatting and budget alignment. Strong emphasis on scientific expertise and experience with coral propagation methods.