Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner With South Florida – Caribbean Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program | G21AS00294

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - USGS Cooperative Agreement G21AS00294

What is funding opportunity G21AS00294?

G21AS00294 is a US Geological Survey (USGS) discretionary funding opportunity offered as a cooperative agreement. It is designed to support applied science and close technical coordination that helps inform Everglades restoration decision making, with an emphasis on producing actionable information for land and water management under changing environmental conditions.

Who is the issuing agency for this opportunity?

The issuing agency is the US Geological Survey (USGS), listed as the Geological Survey in the opportunity details.

What type of award is this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement instrument. That means USGS anticipates substantial involvement and collaboration during the project, rather than a more hands-off relationship typical of some grants.

Is this a discretionary award?

Yes. The opportunity is described as a discretionary award.

What is the purpose of this cooperative agreement?

The core purpose is to support Everglades restoration decision making through applied science and manager-focused technical engagement. The program is intended to fund research and technical coordination that directly informs how land and water resources in the Everglades region are managed.

How does this opportunity connect to Department of the Interior priorities?

The work is tied to Priority 1a of a Department of the Interior secretarial priority focused on building a conservation stewardship legacy and using science to identify best practices for managing land and water resources while adapting to environmental change.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to organizations that are already participating partners in the South Florida - Caribbean Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. Only partners within that CESU network are eligible under the terms described.

Is this opportunity open to organizations outside the South Florida - Caribbean CESU network?

No. The eligibility language limits applications to participating partners within the South Florida - Caribbean CESU network.

What is the program context (CESU) and why does it matter here?

This opportunity is specifically designed to leverage an established partnership structure (the CESU) that combines research capacity, technical assistance, and education in support of ecosystem management. Being an existing South Florida - Caribbean CESU partner is a requirement for eligibility.

What is the CFDA listing for this opportunity?

The CFDA listing provided is 15.808.

What is the activity category for this award?

The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?

The posted award ceiling is $450,000.

What are the main objectives or required activities for funded recipients?

The stated objectives combine research and structured coordination. Funded recipients are expected to:

• Conduct scientific studies led by scientists and/or students on one or more Everglades land and water management priorities, consistent with the overall secretarial priority and manager needs.
• Coordinate three technical meetings per year.
• Actively collaborate with USGS, the South Florida Water Management District, and other regional scientists and decision makers engaged in science supporting Everglades restoration.

What does "co-production" mean in the context of this opportunity?

Co-production, as emphasized in the announcement, refers to CESU and USGS scientists working collaboratively with restoration managers. This includes maintaining ongoing interaction to clarify priority needs and communicating findings in a way that is effective and useful for near-term decisions, not only for long-term publication outcomes.

Are the specific research topics fully defined in the announcement?

No. The announcement indicates the research topics are not completely locked in at the time of posting because they are expected to be finalized after graduate students are recruited for the study period.

If topics are not finalized, what boundaries still apply to the work?

Even though specific topics may be finalized later, the work must remain within the overall priority of producing actionable science for Everglades restoration and must align with needs identified as relevant and important by the USGS project manager in consultation with restoration managers.

What research areas receive priority consideration?

The opportunity highlights three areas for priority consideration:

• Local precipitation dynamics (including improved tools for interpreting and anticipating future rainfall patterns and totals).
• Harmful algal bloom research (supporting water management practices that reduce bloom-favorable conditions in Lake Okeechobee and connected coastal estuaries).
• Short, targeted technical workshops (one- or two-day sessions) responding to timely, specific needs of Everglades restoration managers and scientists.

Why is local precipitation dynamics a priority area?

Precipitation is described as essential information for selecting and designing restoration alternatives because rainfall strongly influences hydrology, water deliveries, and ecosystem responses. The opportunity prioritizes improving tools that help managers interpret and anticipate future rainfall patterns and totals.

What is the harmful algal bloom focus intended to accomplish?

The harmful algal bloom emphasis is intended to help managers develop and implement water management practices that reduce the likelihood of bloom-favorable conditions, specifically in Lake Okeechobee and connected coastal estuaries. The announcement notes concerns about nutrient-driven blooms and their ecological, public health, and economic impacts.

What kind of workshops are supported under this opportunity?

The opportunity prioritizes organizing short, targeted technical workshops that are one- or two-day sessions and respond to timely, specific needs identified by Everglades restoration managers and scientists.

What is an example of the type of workshop product this program is looking for?

The announcement gives an example of a prior workshop that produced an invasive species rapid screening tool. The tool was designed for immediate manager use to help determine appropriate responses when new non-native animals are detected. This illustrates the practical, manager-requested products the program aims to support.

How many technical meetings per year are expected?

Recipients are expected to coordinate three technical meetings per year.

Who are recipients expected to collaborate with?

Recipients are expected to actively collaborate with USGS, the South Florida Water Management District, and other regional scientists and decision makers engaged in science supporting Everglades restoration.

How involved will USGS be during the project?

Because the instrument is a cooperative agreement and the announcement specifies substantial involvement, USGS is expected to be actively involved and collaborative throughout the project period.

What is the opportunity ID and when was it created?

The opportunity is identified as G21AS00294, and it was created on 2021-02-02.

When did the opportunity close?

The original closing date listed is 2021-02-19.

What is the intended outcome style for deliverables (academic vs. management use)?

The opportunity strongly emphasizes timely delivery of results and communication that is useful for near-term management decisions. While scientific studies are expected, the framing prioritizes actionable, manager-focused outputs rather than publication-only goals.

Does the opportunity explicitly mention student involvement?

Yes. The objectives include conducting studies led by scientists and/or students, and the announcement notes that research topics are expected to be finalized after graduate students are recruited for the study period.

How are project priorities determined within the broad Everglades restoration scope?

Within the overall secretarial priority and Everglades restoration focus, project priorities must align with needs identified as relevant and important by the USGS project manager in consultation with restoration managers.