Opportunity Information: Apply for G20AS00060
The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) grant opportunity titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forests CESU" (Funding Opportunity Number G20AS00060) is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) funding call focused on advancing scientific understanding of biodiversity in the Great Lakes aquatic ecosystem through the use of molecular genetic data. Administered by the Department of the Interior through the USGS Great Lakes Science Center, the project is designed to generate actionable research that can support natural resource decision-making across the Great Lakes region, where fisheries, habitat conservation, and ecosystem management often depend on understanding how populations are structured and how biological diversity is maintained.
The core purpose of the award is to support research that uses genetic and genomic tools to better describe the nature and function of biodiversity in the Great Lakes. The opportunity emphasizes the practical value of molecular genetic information: it can clarify taxonomic relationships (helping determine how species or closely related forms are related), reveal stock structure (identifying distinct breeding groups or management units within a species), and shed light on interactions among populations (such as connectivity, migration, gene flow, or reproductive isolation). It also highlights linking genetic diversity to observable differences in morphology or life history, which can include traits like growth rates, age at maturity, spawning timing, habitat use, or other characteristics that matter for conservation and fisheries management.
A key theme is that understanding patterns of genetic diversity is not just an academic exercise. The expected outcome is information that management agencies can use to meet existing management goals or to design new ones. In real terms, this kind of work can help agencies decide whether populations should be managed separately or together, identify vulnerable or unique genetic lineages that may warrant special protection, assess the effects of stocking or harvest on wild genetic diversity, and improve the ability to monitor biodiversity change over time in response to stressors like invasive species, habitat alteration, pollution, or climate-driven shifts in temperature and hydrology.
This funding opportunity is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning the USGS anticipates substantial involvement with the recipient during the project rather than simply issuing a hands-off grant. The activity category is listed as Science and Technology and other Research and Development, and it falls under CFDA number 15.808. The competition expects a single award, with a maximum award amount (ceiling) of $499,997, reflecting a fairly substantial, focused research effort rather than a large multi-award program.
Eligibility is limited to CESU partners, specifically those associated with the Great Lakes Northern Forests CESU network, with the eligible applicant category broadly labeled as "Others" and clarified by the additional eligibility language in the full announcement. The opportunity was created on May 6, 2020, with an original application closing date of May 22, 2020, indicating a short submission window typical of some targeted CESU cooperative agreements where the sponsoring office has a defined research need and seeks a qualified partner to carry it out.
In summary, this opportunity supports one CESU partner to conduct applied molecular genetics research that improves understanding of Great Lakes aquatic biodiversity and produces results that can directly inform regional management strategies, particularly in areas like population structure, taxonomy, connectivity, and the relationship between genetic variation and ecologically important traits.Apply for G20AS00060
- The Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forests CESU" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.808.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 06, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 22, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $499,997.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forests CESU" (Funding Opportunity Number G20AS00060).
2) Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) within the Department of the Interior, and it is administered through the USGS Great Lakes Science Center.
3) What is the main purpose of the project?
The purpose is to advance scientific understanding of biodiversity in the Great Lakes aquatic ecosystem using molecular genetic data, with an emphasis on producing research that can support natural resource decision-making across the Great Lakes region.
4) What kinds of research approaches are encouraged?
The opportunity emphasizes the use of genetic and genomic tools (molecular genetic data) to describe the nature and function of biodiversity in the Great Lakes aquatic ecosystem.
5) What types of questions can molecular genetic data help answer under this opportunity?
Based on the description, molecular genetic information can be used to:
- Clarify taxonomic relationships (how species or closely related forms are related)
- Reveal stock structure (distinct breeding groups or management units within a species)
- Understand interactions among populations, such as connectivity, migration, gene flow, and reproductive isolation
- Link genetic diversity to differences in morphology or life history traits
6) What does "linking genetic diversity to morphology or life history" mean in this context?
In this opportunity, it refers to connecting genetic variation to observable differences that matter for conservation and fisheries management. Examples listed include growth rates, age at maturity, spawning timing, habitat use, and other ecologically important traits.
7) How is this research expected to be used by management agencies?
The expected outcome is actionable information that agencies can use to meet existing management goals or design new ones. The opportunity frames the work as applied research intended to inform real-world fisheries, habitat conservation, and ecosystem management decisions.
8) What are some examples of management decisions this research could support?
The description highlights that results may help agencies:
- Decide whether populations should be managed separately or together
- Identify vulnerable or unique genetic lineages that may warrant special protection
- Assess the effects of stocking or harvest on wild genetic diversity
- Improve monitoring of biodiversity change over time
9) What stressors or changes in the Great Lakes region does the opportunity mention?
The opportunity notes that biodiversity monitoring and genetic insights can be relevant to stressors such as invasive species, habitat alteration, pollution, and climate-driven shifts in temperature and hydrology.
10) What type of award is this?
This opportunity is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement, which indicates USGS anticipates substantial involvement with the recipient during the project (rather than a hands-off grant relationship).
11) What does "substantial involvement" imply for this cooperative agreement?
It means USGS expects to be actively involved during the project. The summary does not detail exactly how involvement will occur, but it clearly distinguishes the award from a standard grant where the agency is typically less involved in project execution.
12) What is the activity category for this funding opportunity?
The activity category is listed as "Science and Technology and other Research and Development."
13) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number provided is 15.808.
14) How many awards are expected?
The competition expects a single award.
15) What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?
The maximum award amount (ceiling) is $499,997.
16) Is this designed as a large multi-award program?
No. The description characterizes it as a single, fairly substantial and focused research effort rather than a large program making multiple awards.
17) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to CESU partners, specifically those associated with the Great Lakes Northern Forests CESU network. The eligible applicant category is labeled as "Others," and eligibility is further clarified by additional language in the full announcement.
18) What is the geographic or ecosystem focus of the work?
The focus is the Great Lakes region, specifically the Great Lakes aquatic ecosystem, and the work is intended to support regional fisheries and natural resource management needs.
19) What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is G20AS00060.
20) When was the opportunity created and when did it close?
The opportunity was created on May 6, 2020, and the original application closing date was May 22, 2020.
21) What does the short application window suggest about this opportunity?
The description indicates the short window is typical of some targeted CESU cooperative agreements where the sponsoring office has a defined research need and seeks a qualified partner to carry it out.
22) What is the central theme of the opportunity?
A central theme is that understanding patterns of genetic diversity is intended to be practical and management-relevant, producing outputs that can directly inform decisions about biodiversity conservation and fisheries/ecosystem management in the Great Lakes.
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