Opportunity Information: Apply for G25AS00068

The US Geological Survey (USGS) is offering a discretionary research funding opportunity through a cooperative agreement for a partner organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU). The project focus is on strengthening and expanding the existing AquaSat libraries by adding new data that will better support remote sensing research and development related to water quality. In practical terms, the funded work is meant to improve the data resources that scientists use to connect satellite or airborne observations with conditions in lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and other waters, ultimately making remote sensing approaches more accurate, reliable, and broadly usable for water quality science.

This opportunity is issued under the CESU framework, which is designed to support collaborative projects between federal agencies and CESU-member partners. CESUs are structured partnerships that emphasize applied research, technical assistance, and education, often leveraging university, nonprofit, or other partner expertise alongside federal mission needs. Because the award mechanism is a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant, applicants should expect substantial involvement by USGS during the project. That typically means closer coordination, shared technical input, iterative review of methods and outputs, and ongoing collaboration to ensure the final products align with USGS priorities for water quality monitoring and remote sensing development.

Eligibility is limited to organizations that are already official participating partners in the Rocky Mountain CESU Program. The listing identifies eligible applicants under the broad category of "Others," but the key requirement is CESU partnership status within the Rocky Mountain CESU network. Applicants that are not Rocky Mountain CESU partners would not be eligible for this specific announcement, even if they have relevant technical qualifications, because the funding is explicitly routed through the CESU partnership structure.

The opportunity is cataloged under Funding Opportunity Number G25AS00068 and falls within the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category. The associated CFDA number is 15.808, which corresponds to USGS research and assistance activities. The award has a stated ceiling of $250,000. The posting does not clearly state how many awards are expected, but it indicates an anticipated award count without providing a number in the provided excerpt, so prospective applicants would need to confirm that detail in the full announcement materials if it affects planning.

Key dates included in the source information show the opportunity was created on 2024-11-04, with an original closing date of 2024-12-04. Any organization considering applying would need to be prepared to meet that deadline and to coordinate internally with its CESU agreement administrators, since CESU-based proposals often require adherence to both agency requirements and CESU partnership procedures.

Overall, the grant opportunity is aimed at advancing USGS-supported remote sensing of water quality by enriching AquaSat data libraries, with the expectation that the selected Rocky Mountain CESU partner will conduct research and data enhancement work in close collaboration with USGS under a cooperative agreement structure, up to a maximum federal funding level of $250,000.

  • 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 Rocky Mountain 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 2024-11-04.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-12-04. (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 G25AS00068

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What agency is offering this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

2) What type of funding instrument is being used?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. This is different from a standard grant because it typically involves substantial involvement by USGS during the project (for example, close coordination, shared technical input, iterative reviews, and ongoing collaboration to align deliverables with USGS priorities).

3) What is the main purpose of this project?

The project is focused on strengthening and expanding the existing AquaSat libraries by adding new data to better support remote sensing research and development related to water quality.

4) What are the AquaSat libraries expected to support?

Based on the information provided, the enhanced AquaSat libraries are intended to support research and development that connects satellite or airborne observations with real-world conditions in lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and other waters, improving the accuracy and reliability of remote sensing approaches for water quality science.

5) What kinds of waterbodies are referenced in the project description?

The description references lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and other waters (generally meaning a range of inland water environments relevant to water quality monitoring and analysis).

6) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to organizations that are official participating partners in the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program.

7) Are non-CESU organizations eligible if they have strong technical qualifications?

No. The information provided states that applicants that are not Rocky Mountain CESU partners are not eligible for this specific announcement, even if they have relevant technical qualifications, because the funding is routed through the CESU partnership structure.

8) What does the notice mean by listing eligible applicants under "Others"?

The listing may categorize eligible applicants broadly as "Others," but the key eligibility requirement described here is that the applicant must have official partnership status within the Rocky Mountain CESU network.

9) What is the CESU framework, and why does it matter for this opportunity?

This opportunity is issued under the CESU framework, which supports collaborative projects between federal agencies and CESU-member partners. CESUs are structured partnerships that emphasize applied research, technical assistance, and education, often leveraging the expertise of universities, nonprofits, or other partners alongside federal mission needs.

10) How involved will USGS be during the project?

Because this is a cooperative agreement, substantial involvement by USGS is expected. The description indicates this can include closer coordination, shared technical input, iterative review of methods and outputs, and ongoing collaboration to ensure the final products align with USGS priorities for water quality monitoring and remote sensing development.

11) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number is G25AS00068.

12) What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The opportunity falls under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category.

13) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number provided is 15.808, which corresponds to USGS research and assistance activities.

14) What is the maximum award amount?

The stated award ceiling is $250,000.

15) How many awards will be made?

The excerpt indicates an anticipated award count, but it does not provide a number in the provided information. To plan accurately, applicants would need to confirm the expected number of awards in the full announcement materials.

16) When was this opportunity posted or created?

The opportunity was created on 2024-11-04.

17) What is the application closing date?

The original closing date shown is 2024-12-04.

18) What should applicants consider regarding timing and internal coordination?

The information provided notes that applicants should be prepared to meet the stated deadline and coordinate internally with their CESU agreement administrators, since CESU-based proposals often must follow both agency requirements and CESU partnership procedures.

19) What is the overall goal or outcome USGS is trying to achieve through this project?

The overall intent is to advance USGS-supported remote sensing of water quality by enriching AquaSat data libraries, helping make remote sensing approaches more accurate, reliable, and broadly usable for water quality science.

20) Is this described as discretionary funding?

Yes. The opportunity is described as a discretionary research funding opportunity offered through a cooperative agreement.

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