Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Colorado Plateau CESU | G17AS00054

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the name of this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Colorado Plateau CESU funding opportunity issued by the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), under the Core Science Analytics, Synthesis, and Libraries (CSASL) organization.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is G17AS00054.

Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

The opportunity was issued by the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Which USGS organization is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with the USGS Core Science Analytics, Synthesis, and Libraries (CSASL) organization.

Is this a grant or a cooperative agreement?

This is offered through a cooperative agreement. That means the work is expected to be carried out collaboratively, with substantial involvement from USGS, rather than as a hands-off grant.

What type of work is being funded (in broad terms)?

It is a discretionary science and technology research and development opportunity focused on joint research and development activities that strengthen and improve the science data life cycle for USGS-related work.

What does "science data life cycle" mean in the context of this opportunity?

In this opportunity, the science data life cycle includes how scientific data are planned, created or collected, processed, documented, managed, preserved, discovered, shared, and reused for decision-making.

What is the primary purpose of the award?

The main purpose is to support joint research and development that improves how USGS-related scientific data are handled end-to-end, with an emphasis on making scientific information more usable and interoperable across organizations and platforms.

What kinds of project outcomes does this opportunity appear to prioritize?

Based on the description, the funded work is intended to produce practical methods, tools, workflows, standards, or integrated approaches that help natural resource communities manage and use scientific data more effectively, not just academic findings.

What subject areas or disciplines are relevant?

The solicitation highlights a mix of expertise, including biological and ecological science, computer science, information management, and specialized areas such as data interoperability, data discovery, semantics (vocabularies and metadata standards), and applying these capabilities to environmental research, public policy, and planning.

What does "data interoperability" refer to here?

In this context, interoperability means making data work smoothly across different systems, organizations, and platforms so information can be combined, compared, and reused without extensive rework.

What does "discovery" mean in this solicitation?

Discovery refers to helping users find and access data, implying approaches that improve how datasets are located and retrieved.

What does "semantics" mean in this solicitation?

Semantics refers to ensuring consistent meaning in data and metadata, often through controlled vocabularies, shared definitions, metadata standards, and related approaches that reduce ambiguity and improve reuse.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to a partner within the Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU) network, specifically aligned with the Colorado Plateau CESU partnership framework. The opportunity lists eligibility as "Others" with clarification in additional eligibility text indicating CESU partners (such as universities or similar partner organizations).

Is this opportunity open to applicants outside the CESU network?

Based on the eligibility statement provided, it is limited to partners within the CESU network (Colorado Plateau CESU), rather than being broadly open to all organizations.

How many awards were anticipated?

The opportunity anticipated a single award, meaning one primary project was expected to be selected for funding.

What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $400,000.

What does it mean that USGS will have "substantial involvement"?

It means the project is expected to be a collaborative effort with USGS participation in the work, consistent with a cooperative agreement structure rather than a purely recipient-driven grant.

Are there expectations about sharing results and making outputs public?

Yes. A key requirement described is broad access to results. Outputs are intended to be made available through multiple channels, including USGS websites and the USGS CSAS web presence, and may also be distributed through partner outlets such as universities, museums, and state agencies.

Who is expected to be able to access or use the results?

Results are intended to be accessible to federal and non-federal natural resource research and management communities, their partners and stakeholders, and the general public.

Where might project results be published or distributed?

The description indicates results may be shared via USGS websites (including the USGS CSAS web presence) and through partner outlets such as universities, museums, and state agencies.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity falls under CFDA number 15.808, which corresponds to USGS research and related activities.

When was this funding opportunity created?

It was created on March 29, 2017.

What was the original closing date?

The original closing date was April 14, 2017.

How would you summarize the opportunity in plain language?

It is a targeted USGS collaboration (via a cooperative agreement) aimed at improving environmental science data systems and practices across the full data life cycle, with outcomes designed to be shared broadly and reused across the natural resources community.