Cooperative Agreement with partner of the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. | G21AS00439

Opportunity Information: Apply for G21AS00439

This grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number G21AS00439) is a discretionary cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), specifically through the USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center in Gainesville, Florida. The project focuses on applied science, monitoring, and related research and development activities (CFDA 15.808) aimed at strengthening the conservation and management of key biological resources along Florida's Nature Coast. This region covers the Big Bend area on the Gulf of Mexico, roughly spanning from Hernando County north to Wakulla County, and is widely recognized as one of the most intact and least developed coastlines in North America.

The Nature Coast is highlighted in the announcement as an ecologically and economically important landscape with extensive seagrass meadows, coastal wetlands, and coastal forests that support diverse and often high-profile wildlife. Examples called out include marine mammals such as manatees and dolphins, a wide variety of waterbirds, and sea turtles. At the same time, the area underpins significant commercial and recreational activity. The opportunity notes productive shellfish fisheries (including shrimp and oysters) and emphasizes the strength of the hard clam aquaculture sector, valued at about $40 million annually. Because so many of these uses depend on reliable freshwater inflows and high water quality, the grant frames conservation not only as an ecological priority but also as essential to sustaining local economies tied to fisheries, aquaculture, and agriculture.

A central theme of the opportunity is generating research results that can be directly used by scientists and resource managers to make better decisions and advance conservation goals. The scope is broad, but the general objectives are clear: improve conservation and management of biological resources through targeted research and monitoring; deepen partnerships among federal and state agencies; strengthen public outreach and education; and expand teaching and hands-on training opportunities for students in the region. The cooperative agreement structure signals that USGS expects substantial involvement and collaboration during project execution, rather than a hands-off grant relationship.

The announcement also points to ongoing and related work that helps illustrate the kinds of efforts this funding supports. Two examples are mentioned: one project applying decision analysis to oyster reef restoration in the Gulf of Mexico, and another quantifying how coastal wetland structure and function vary across a winter temperature gradient. These examples suggest an interest in management-relevant science that connects ecological monitoring and field data with practical decision frameworks, especially for restoration planning and understanding climate- or temperature-linked variation in coastal ecosystems.

Eligibility is limited to organizations that are already partners in the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program, meaning applicants must be participating members of that CESU network. CESUs are formal partnerships designed to link federal agencies with universities and other partners to deliver research, technical assistance, and education. The solicitation explicitly expects investigators to involve CESU faculty and students, reinforcing the program's emphasis on both applied outcomes for managers and workforce development through training and academic collaboration.

Key administrative details included in the source information are: the awarding agency is the U.S. Geological Survey; the instrument type is a cooperative agreement; the original closing date was April 16, 2021; and the listed award ceiling is $250,000. The opportunity was created on March 31, 2021, and it is categorized under science and technology and other research and development.

• The Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Agreement with partner of the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program." 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 2021-03-31.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-04-16. (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 $250,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for G21AS00439

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