Cooperative Agreement for a CESU-affiliated Partner with the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G22AS00053

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Wetland and Aquatic Research Center funding call issued as a cooperative agreement through the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network, specifically the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (Gulf Coast CESU).

What is the main purpose of the award?

The stated purpose is to strengthen ongoing collaboration between USGS and a Gulf Coast CESU partner while producing actionable science for coastal Louisiana.

What type of award is being offered?

The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement. This is described as a discretionary funding opportunity where USGS is expected to have substantial involvement in the project compared to a standard grant.

Is this intended to fund more than one project?

No. The description specifies it is designed to support a single project.

Who can apply?

Eligibility is limited to active partners in the Gulf Coast CESU program, which is part of the broader CESU partnership framework supporting research, technical assistance, and education.

Do applicants need to be affiliated with a specific CESU?

Yes. The opportunity is issued through the CESU network and specifically references the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, so applicants must be active partners in the Gulf Coast CESU.

What geographic area is the project focused on?

The work is focused on coastal Louisiana, with particular relevance to tidal salt marshes and marsh stability in the Mississippi River Delta Plain.

What ecosystems or habitats does the project target?

The funded work targets tidal salt marshes in coastal Louisiana and broadly addresses coastal wetlands as they relate to restoration performance and carbon sequestration.

What are the main scientific goals of the project?

The opportunity emphasizes two closely linked goals: (1) improving understanding of carbon sequestration in coastal wetlands and (2) increasing the coastal resilience of Louisiana marshes.

What kinds of activities or research does the opportunity emphasize?

The project is meant to evaluate how well different wetland restoration techniques perform over time in sustaining marsh ecosystems, and how those techniques affect capturing and storing carbon in wetland soils and vegetation.

What practical question is this project trying to answer?

In practical terms, the research is aimed at determining which restoration approaches most effectively maintain marsh stability in the Mississippi River Delta Plain while also contributing to greenhouse gas reduction goals by boosting carbon storage in wetland soils and vegetation.

How does carbon sequestration fit into the project?

Carbon sequestration is a central focus. The opportunity highlights the need for better information about which land management and restoration scenarios actually increase carbon sequestration in coastal wetlands, and it frames the work as supporting climate-change mitigation through improved understanding of carbon capture and storage.

How does coastal resilience fit into the project?

Coastal resilience is an explicit goal alongside carbon sequestration. The project is intended to increase the resilience of Louisiana marshes by assessing restoration techniques that sustain marsh ecosystems and stability over time.

Is this basic research or applied research?

The opportunity is framed as applied climate and land-management science, with an emphasis on producing actionable results that improve decisions about wetland restoration investments and approaches.

How are restoration techniques expected to be addressed?

The description indicates restoration strategies should be tested and compared to evaluate performance for long-term marsh sustainability and carbon storage outcomes.

How will the results be used?

The results are expected to improve decision-making around wetland restoration investments, guide approaches that deliver both ecosystem sustainability and climate benefits, and be directly relevant to statewide planning in Louisiana.

Does the opportunity connect to Louisiana statewide planning or climate strategy?

Yes. The work is described as directly relevant to statewide planning, with results expected to play an important role in Louisiana's climate adaptation strategy.

What is the maximum award amount?

The posted maximum award amount is up to $400,000.

What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is G22AS00053.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.808.

What activity category is this opportunity under?

It is listed within the "Science and Technology and other Research and Development" activity category.

When was the closing date?

The original closing date listed is November 13, 2021.

What does "substantial involvement" by USGS mean in this context?

The opportunity states that because it is a cooperative agreement (rather than a standard grant), USGS is expected to have substantial involvement in the project. The specific form of involvement is not detailed in the provided description, but the intent is that USGS participation will be more active than under a typical grant.

Which USGS entity is associated with this funding call?

The call is associated with the USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center.

What broader partnership framework does this opportunity use?

The opportunity is issued through the CESU partnership framework, which supports research, technical assistance, and education, and it is specifically tied to the Gulf Coast CESU.