Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with Great Lakes Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) | G22AS00303

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the funding opportunity number for this solicitation?

The funding opportunity number is G22AS00303.

Which federal agency is offering this award?

The award is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

What type of funding instrument is being used?

This opportunity is a discretionary cooperative agreement.

What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement (not a traditional grant)?

Because it is a cooperative agreement, the work is expected to be collaborative. USGS and the selected CESU partner are expected to work closely together, rather than the partner operating independently under a hands-off grant.

What program is this opportunity offered under?

This opportunity is offered under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program.

Which CESU Network is associated with this opportunity?

This solicitation is specifically through the Great Lakes Northern Forest CESU.

What is the main purpose of the project?

The main purpose is to support coastal ecosystem restoration by providing hydrodynamic and related scientific support to help explain and predict conditions in nearshore Great Lakes environments.

What is the primary scientific problem being addressed?

The scientific focus centers on understanding why Cladophora, a filamentous green algae that can form nuisance blooms, has become so successful in a heavily altered ecosystem.

What is Cladophora and why is it important in this project?

Cladophora is a filamentous green algae known for forming nuisance blooms. This project seeks to better understand the conditions and drivers that lead to problem growth in nearshore Great Lakes settings.

What kinds of factors will the project integrate to explain Cladophora growth?

The project emphasizes integrating multiple data types to describe relationships among Cladophora growth, nutrient concentrations, light availability, and the abundance of dreissenid mussels.

Which invasive species are specifically mentioned as influential to nearshore conditions?

Dreissenid mussels are specifically mentioned, including zebra and quagga mussels.

How do zebra and quagga mussels affect nearshore Great Lakes environments in this description?

They can strongly reshape nearshore conditions by filtering water, altering nutrient pathways, and changing water clarity. These changes can affect light penetration and may create favorable conditions for attached algae like Cladophora.

What role do hydrodynamic conditions play in the project?

Hydrodynamic conditions are intended to be tied together with water quality and biological data to improve the ability to characterize where and when problem growth occurs and what drivers are most important.

Is the project focused only on Cladophora?

No. Beyond Cladophora, the opportunity also targets the broader benthic (lake-bottom) ecosystem that is influenced by nuisance algae and invasive mussels.

What is meant by the "benthic ecosystem" in this opportunity?

The benthic ecosystem refers to the lake-bottom environment and its associated habitats and organisms.

Which organisms are mentioned as part of the benthic communities of interest?

The notice mentions microbes, macroinvertebrates, and both native and nonnative fish species as organisms of management and research interest supported by the benthos.

What ecosystem processes are highlighted as being affected by benthic communities?

Major processes mentioned include nutrient cycling, energy flow, and food-web (trophic) dynamics.

What is "habitat characterization" in the context of this opportunity?

Habitat characterization is described as identifying and describing bottom habitats and ecological conditions in ways that can guide restoration planning and help pinpoint areas where restoration actions are most likely to succeed or where ecological benefits could be greatest.

How does this opportunity support restoration planning?

By improving characterization of nearshore conditions and bottom habitats, the work is intended to guide restoration planning and help identify areas where restoration actions may have higher likelihood of success or larger ecological benefits.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to organizations that are already participating partners in the Great Lakes Northern Forest CESU Program.

Why is eligibility restricted to Great Lakes Northern Forest CESU partners?

The restriction reflects the CESU model, which relies on established partnerships to deliver research, technical assistance, and education in support of federal resource-management needs.

What is the maximum award amount (ceiling) listed for this opportunity?

The award ceiling listed is $159,405.

What CFDA number is associated with this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.808.

When was the opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on April 5, 2022.

What was the application closing date?

The original closing date was May 5, 2022.

What does the timing suggest about the nature of the solicitation?

Based on the creation date and the closing date, it was a time-limited solicitation intended to quickly engage an existing CESU partner with relevant expertise to support USGS restoration-related science in Great Lakes coastal systems.

What geographic or environmental setting is the work focused on?

The work is focused on nearshore Great Lakes environments and Great Lakes coastal systems.

What kinds of scientific support are emphasized?

The description emphasizes hydrodynamic and related scientific support, integrated with water quality and biological data, to explain and predict nearshore conditions relevant to coastal ecosystem restoration.