Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner of the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G22AS00400

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What agency is offering this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) through the Department of the Interior (Geological Survey).

What type of funding mechanism is being used?

The award is issued as a cooperative agreement (not a standard grant). That structure typically means USGS will have substantial involvement in the funded work, such as coordinating plans, collaborating on technical decisions, coordinating data, and co-producing deliverables.

What is the main purpose of the project being funded?

The project is intended to support research on invasive plants that improves understanding of where invasive plant species are located and how abundant they are across landscapes. The practical goal is to strengthen invasion risk assessment, recognize broader biogeographic patterns, anticipate pathways and rates of spread, and improve decisions related to prevention, early detection, prioritization, and on-the-ground management.

Which invasive plants are in scope (new vs. established)?

The scope includes both newly emerging invaders and invasive species that are already well established.

What kinds of activities or methods are considered within scope?

Examples described include compiling and analyzing occurrence records, conducting field surveys, integrating remote sensing or other mapping approaches, and developing or refining models that predict suitable habitat and likely spread.

What kinds of outputs or deliverables are expected?

The opportunity emphasizes actionable, management-relevant products that help improve risk assessments and clarify geographic patterns. Examples mentioned include updated maps, spatial datasets, monitoring frameworks, or analytical tools that resource managers can use to identify hotspots, prioritize rapid response for new invasions, and allocate control efforts more efficiently for established species.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to organizations that are active partners in the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network.

What is the CESU Program, and why does it matter for this opportunity?

The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program is a partnership framework that connects federal agencies with universities, tribes, nonprofits, and other research institutions to deliver applied science, technical assistance, and education that supports natural and cultural resource management. For this opportunity, it matters because only active Rocky Mountain CESU partners are eligible, and the cooperative agreement format aligns with collaborative, applied work.

How involved will USGS be during the project?

Because this is a cooperative agreement, applicants should expect substantial involvement from USGS. The announcement describes involvement such as shared planning, data coordination, co-produced deliverables, and ongoing technical input throughout the project.

What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is $490,000.

How many awards will be made?

The provided announcement text does not specify the number of expected awards.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is G22AS00400.

What CFDA program is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is administered under CFDA 15.808.

How is this opportunity categorized?

It is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The posting was created on July 6, 2022, and the original closing date was July 29, 2022.

What management decisions is this project meant to support?

The work is intended to support real-world invasive species planning and control decisions, including improving prevention planning, strengthening early detection and rapid response prioritization, identifying invasion hotspots, anticipating spread pathways and rates, and helping land managers allocate monitoring and control efforts more efficiently.

Is the focus only on mapping, or also on risk and spread modeling?

Both are included. The described scope includes mapping distributions and abundances as well as developing or refining models that predict suitable habitat and likely spread, with an emphasis on improving risk assessments and understanding patterns across geography.