Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with South Florida Caribbean Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G24AS00261

Opportunity Information: Apply for G24AS00261

This funding opportunity, numbered G24AS00261, is a discretionary cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. It supports science and technology research and development (CFDA 15.808) focused on improving aerial imaging survey methods for documenting nesting sea turtle activity. The core purpose is to strengthen the evidence base needed to evaluate injuries to nesting sea turtles associated with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill by building a more complete and defensible understanding of long-term nesting abundance trends.

The project centers on the practical problem that many potentially important nesting areas are hard to access consistently using traditional ground-based monitoring. USGS highlights Louisiana in particular, including remote stretches of coastline and barrier islands, where logistical constraints make repeatable, cost-effective surveys difficult. By emphasizing aerial imaging surveys, the opportunity is aimed at developing or applying approaches that can cover large or difficult terrain more efficiently, increase repeatability across seasons and years, and produce standardized data that can be compared over time to detect changes in nesting activity.

Because this is issued under the CESU framework, eligibility is limited to organizations that are already participating partners of the South Florida Caribbean CESU. CESUs are formal partnerships designed to connect federal agencies with universities, nonprofits, and other research partners to deliver research, technical assistance, and education. In practice, that means the award is intended for a qualified CESU-affiliated partner that can work collaboratively with USGS, consistent with the cooperative agreement model where substantial federal involvement is expected during the project.

Key administrative details include an original closing date of March 13, 2024, and an award ceiling of $400,000. The opportunity was created on February 13, 2024. While the notice does not spell out a detailed scope of work in the excerpt provided, the described intent makes clear that proposals should address the design and execution of aerial imaging-based surveys for sea turtle nesting activity, with an emphasis on producing data and methods that help track nesting abundance trends in challenging-to-access coastal environments and support Deepwater Horizon injury assessment needs.

• The Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with South Florida Caribbean 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 2024-02-13.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-03-13. (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 $400,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for G24AS00261

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