Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with North Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G23AS00378

Opportunity Information: Apply for G23AS00378

The US Geological Survey (USGS) is offering a discretionary, science-and-technology focused cooperative agreement to support a CESU-affiliated partner in the North Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU). The core goal is to fund research and development of a near real-time avian influenza (AI) risk assessment tool that will be publicly accessible via the web. A key emphasis is that the tool should be able to generate "personalized" risk assessments, meaning outputs tailored to specific user situations, so that both large and small poultry producers can make practical, timely decisions about which biosecurity measures to implement and how to prioritize them.

This opportunity is motivated by the ongoing and escalating impacts of transboundary diseases that move across the wild bird and domestic poultry interface. When pathogens circulate between wildlife and domestic species, the consequences can extend well beyond agriculture, affecting wildlife conservation, domestic animal health, and potentially human health. The funding notice highlights that these events can also create severe economic harm at multiple scales, from individual operations to regional and national impacts. Avian influenza is presented as a prime example of this problem because outbreaks can be costly, disruptive, and persistent.

The notice points to recent history to explain the urgency. The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak in 2014-2015 is cited as costing US taxpayers about $950 million, with an estimated overall economic impact of $3.3 billion. It also notes that the 2022-2023 HPAI H5N1 outbreak is likely to be even more economically damaging because it has lasted longer. In addition to these headline HPAI events, the announcement underscores that low pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks occur in poultry facilities on an annual basis, creating recurring costs and operational disruptions. It further notes that transmission of novel viral types from poultry back into wild birds has, in some cases, harmed wild populations, reinforcing that this is not only an agricultural issue but also an ecological one.

Because the award is issued under the CESU framework, eligibility is limited to organizations that are already participating partners in the North Atlantic Coast CESU. CESUs are structured partnerships designed to streamline and strengthen collaboration among federal agencies and research or technical organizations, supporting research, technical assistance, and education tied to natural and cultural resource challenges. In practical terms, that means the project is expected to be collaborative in nature and aligned with CESU program purposes, with USGS involvement typical of a cooperative agreement arrangement.

Key administrative details from the listing include the funding opportunity title "Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with North Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit," opportunity number G23AS00378, and CFDA number 15.808. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, the activity category is "Science and Technology and other Research and Development," and the agency is the US Geological Survey. The opportunity was created on May 23, 2023, and the original closing date was June 23, 2023. The posted award ceiling is $285,000, and the listing does not specify an expected number of awards.

• The Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with North Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit" 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 2023-05-23.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-06-23. (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 $285,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for G23AS00378

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