Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forests CESU | G20AS00060

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.

• 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).

Apply for G20AS00060

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