Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with USGS- Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G21AS00233

Opportunity Information: Apply for G21AS00233

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), through its Wetland and Aquatic Research Center (WARC), released a discretionary funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number G21AS00233) for a university partner that is formally affiliated with the Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU). The award is issued as a cooperative agreement, meaning the project is expected to involve substantial collaboration between the recipient and USGS scientists or program staff rather than operating as a fully independent grant.

The core purpose of the project is to advance research in radar ornithology, with an emphasis on using Weather Surveillance Radar (WSR) data to determine or predict migratory landbird stopover densities. In practical terms, the work is focused on understanding where birds are concentrating during migration stopovers as inferred from radar signals, and how those patterns relate to surrounding land use conditions (for example, development, agriculture, forest cover, wetlands, and other habitat types) as well as severe weather events. The intent is not only to analyze radar detections, but to connect those detections to on-the-ground or mapped environmental factors that can help explain or forecast when and where high-density stopovers occur.

A major expected outcome is support for USGS WARC in developing spatially explicit decision-support tools. These tools would translate the research findings into usable maps, models, or other applied products that resource managers can use for planning and prioritization. The management context highlighted in the announcement centers on habitat acquisition, restoration, and conservation actions targeted at migratory landbirds, both for current needs and future scenarios. In other words, the work is meant to directly inform how agencies and partners identify important stopover habitats, decide where conservation investments will have the most impact, and potentially respond to changing conditions driven by land-use change and extreme weather.

Eligibility is limited to participating partners of the Chesapeake Watershed CESU Program, consistent with CESU program rules. CESUs are structured partnerships designed to link federal agencies with universities and other partners to provide research, technical assistance, and education, and this opportunity is explicitly issued under that CESU framework. The program is administered by the Geological Survey (USGS), falls under CFDA number 15.808, and is categorized under “Other” for funding activity.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity was created on January 5, 2021, with an original closing date of January 26, 2021. The maximum funding amount listed is $94,222 (award ceiling). The notice lists expected awards but does not specify a number in the provided text, indicating that applicants should rely on the full announcement details for any award count or selection expectations.

• The Geological Survey in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with USGS- Chesapeake Watershed 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 2021-01-05.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-01-26. (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 $94,222.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for G21AS00233

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