Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) | G27AS00074

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) discretionary financial assistance opportunity offered as a cooperative agreement under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program. The project focus is to improve freshwater ecosystem management in the Pacific Northwest by developing practical, decision-ready modeling tools to predict and reduce the risk of harmful non-native fish invasions.

2) What is the main goal of the funded project?

The main goal is to build a modeling tool (or suite of tools) that helps managers understand, forecast, and reduce the risks posed by non-native fish invasions in Pacific Northwest rivers and streams. The tool is expected to estimate where invasions are most likely, how severe the impacts could be, and how those risks may change under future climate and hydrologic scenarios.

3) Which geographic area is this opportunity focused on?

The work is focused on the Pacific Northwest, specifically freshwater ecosystems such as rivers and streams where native fish species are culturally, economically, and ecologically important.

4) Why is the Pacific Northwest a priority for this work?

The opportunity emphasizes that Northwest rivers and streams support native fish (including bull trout, salmon, and lamprey) that are closely tied to Tribal resources, regional food systems, and outdoor recreation. The notice also highlights that warming water temperatures and more variable precipitation patterns can increase vulnerability to ecological disruption, including biological invasions.

5) Which native species are highlighted as important in this notice?

The notice calls out native bull trout, salmon, and lamprey as examples of culturally, economically, and ecologically important fish in the region. Bull trout are a central focus for understanding and forecasting invasion impacts.

6) Which non-native fish threats are specifically mentioned?

The opportunity specifically identifies brook trout and smallmouth bass as known non-native threats.

7) What kind of product or deliverable is the project expected to produce?

The project is expected to produce a practical modeling tool (or suite of tools). The intent is that these outputs are usable for real-world management and planning, not solely academic research products.

8) What does "decision-ready" mean in the context of this opportunity?

In this opportunity, "decision-ready" means the modeling tool should directly support management decisions. It should help managers compare approaches and prioritize actions such as targeted prevention, monitoring, rapid response, habitat restoration, and other interventions aimed at reducing invasion likelihood or limiting ecological harm.

9) What types of management actions is the tool intended to support?

The notice mentions that the tool should help prioritize or compare actions including targeted prevention, monitoring, rapid response, habitat restoration, and other interventions designed to reduce the likelihood of invasions or lessen ecological impacts.

10) How is climate change relevant to the project?

The opportunity ties invasion risk to changing environmental conditions, noting that warming water temperatures and more variable precipitation can make habitats more vulnerable. The modeling effort is expected to assess how invasion risks shift under different future climate and hydrologic scenarios.

11) Is the project expected to support government decision-making?

Yes. The notice states that the work is intended to support on-the-ground management and planning across federal, state, and Tribal governments, and to inform species recovery, habitat management plans, and broader conservation outcomes.

12) Does the opportunity connect to policy priorities or broader Administration themes?

Yes. In addition to the non-native fish invasion modeling goal, the opportunity encourages alignment with broader priorities and themes such as water security, infrastructure resilience, and preparedness for natural hazards.

13) What scientific disciplines or approaches does the notice indicate are relevant?

The notice signals openness to interdisciplinary scientific contributions. Examples mentioned include hydrology, geology, geospatial analysis, biosecurity, and near-earth space science, particularly where these fields help address extreme events and stressors.

14) What kinds of stressors or extreme events are mentioned as relevant context?

The opportunity references extreme events and stressors such as drought, flooding, wildfire, coastal erosion, severe storms, and geologic hazards, especially where research and tools can help support preparedness and management.

15) What is the funding mechanism (grant vs cooperative agreement)?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. The notice indicates this typically involves substantial involvement by the federal agency during the project, such as collaboration on methods, data, deliverables, or coordination to ensure the work meets management needs.

16) What does "substantial involvement" by USGS generally imply for this project?

Based on the notice description, it implies USGS may collaborate during the project on technical approach and methods, data and deliverables, and coordination with management priorities and needs, rather than providing funding with minimal interaction.

17) What program is this issued under?

This opportunity is issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program, which is intended to connect agencies with partner institutions to deliver research, technical assistance, and education.

18) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to applicants who are already participating partners in the Pacific Northwest CESU.

19) Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

The agency is the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

20) What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is G27AS00074.

21) What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 15.808.

22) What is the activity category?

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

23) How many awards are expected?

One award is expected.

24) What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?

The award ceiling is $360,000.

25) What are the key dates (posted/created and closing date)?

The opportunity was created on 2026-10-14, and the stated closing date is 2026-11-14.

26) Is this opportunity focused on academic research outputs or practical management tools?

The notice emphasizes actionable science, usable data products, and practical tools that resource managers and stakeholders can apply to real management decisions, rather than purely academic outputs.

27) How does this opportunity relate to recreational fisheries and regional economies?

The notice frames the work as supporting fisheries management that sustains recreational opportunities and protects cultural and economic interests tied to healthy fish populations and accessible fishing.

28) What conservation outcomes does the notice suggest the work should support?

The notice explicitly links the work to informing species recovery, habitat management plans, and broader conservation outcomes, while helping agencies plan and act across jurisdictions.