Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Piedmont South Atlantic Coast CESU | G17AS00107

Opportunity Information: Apply for G17AS00107

The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Piedmont South Atlantic Coast opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number G17AS00107) is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) discretionary funding announcement issued under the Department of the Interior. It is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the work is intended to be carried out in partnership with USGS, typically with substantial involvement or coordination from the agency during the period of performance. The activity area is Science and Technology and other Research and Development, and it is associated with CFDA number 15.808. The opportunity was created on July 5, 2017, with an original closing date of July 21, 2017, indicating a short application window consistent with a targeted, partner-specific research need.

The core purpose of the award is to support wildlife disease surveillance and disease investigations that can directly inform wildlife management decisions and help agencies communicate clearly with stakeholders and the public. The USGS is seeking this work specifically through an eligible CESU partner (the eligibility field is listed as "Others," with clarification typically provided in the full announcement under additional eligibility information, but the intent here is that the recipient must be a recognized partner within the Piedmont South Atlantic Coast CESU network). Only one award is expected, and the maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $30,000, which suggests a focused project scope such as targeted surveillance, case investigation support, data management, and reporting rather than a large multi-year research program.

The technical priorities for disease work are clearly stated and center on high-concern wildlife health issues with major ecological, economic, and public interest implications. Avian influenza is included as a priority due to its relevance for wild bird populations, domestic poultry interfaces, and the broader One Health landscape where wildlife, livestock, and human health concerns can intersect. White-nose syndrome is highlighted because of its ongoing impacts on bat populations and the downstream ecological consequences tied to insect control and ecosystem function. Cervid health is also prioritized, reflecting the management importance of deer and related species and the need for surveillance and investigation capacity for diseases affecting cervid populations.

A major emphasis of the project is not only gathering or analyzing disease information, but also ensuring that findings are disseminated through the appropriate channels for practical use. This includes producing information suitable for wildlife management applications and for public relations or public-facing communications, recognizing that disease events often require timely, accurate messaging to prevent misinformation and support coordinated response. A specific dissemination requirement is the integration of surveillance and investigation data into USGS's Wildlife Health Information Sharing Partnership - Event Reporting System (WHISPers), a national database used to share and track wildlife health events. In practical terms, this means the funded partner would be expected to format, document, and submit relevant event data so that it can be accessed and used by the broader wildlife health community through WHISPers (https://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/whispers/), improving national situational awareness and supporting consistent reporting across jurisdictions.

In short, this grant opportunity provides modest, targeted support to a CESU partner to conduct priority wildlife disease surveillance and investigations, then translate those results into actionable information by reporting through established management and communications channels, including formal entry of surveillance data into the WHISPers national event reporting system.

• The Department of the Interior, Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Piedmont South Atlantic Coast CESU" 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 Jul 05, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 21, 2017. (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 $30,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for G17AS00107

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