Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Plains CESU | G18AS00053

Opportunity Information: Apply for G18AS00053

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), within the Department of the Interior, announced a discretionary funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Plains CESU" (Funding Opportunity Number G18AS00053). The award is planned as a cooperative agreement, which typically means the USGS expects to have substantial involvement in the work as it is carried out, rather than simply issuing a grant and stepping back. The program sits in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category and is associated with CFDA 15.808.

The focus of the opportunity is applied hydrologic research and related scientific support across the Dakotas, centered on real-world water challenges. USGS is seeking participation from a partner within the Great Plains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network to work on a range of hydrologic issues. The core themes include understanding water availability and water quality for both groundwater and surface water systems, and examining how these conditions and changes affect connected natural and managed systems. That includes impacts to aquifers, watersheds, and reservoirs, recognizing that these components are linked and that changes in one part of the hydrologic system can create downstream or long-term effects elsewhere.

In practical terms, the work implied by the description would support science that helps characterize and evaluate water resources in the region, such as assessing how much water is available, how water quality is changing, and what those changes mean for supplies, ecosystems, and water management. By explicitly calling out groundwater, surface water, aquifers, watersheds, and reservoirs, the opportunity signals an integrated approach rather than treating these resources in isolation. The geographic emphasis on the Dakotas suggests the project(s) would be responsive to regional conditions, needs, and management questions relevant to North Dakota and South Dakota water systems.

The opportunity anticipated a single award, with an award ceiling of $490,000. The notice was created on May 29, 2018, with an original closing date of June 12, 2018, indicating a relatively short application window. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with the key qualifier that applicants must be a CESU partner (with further clarification referenced in the opportunity's eligibility details). Overall, this funding announcement is designed to leverage the CESU partnership structure to deliver hydrologic science and technical collaboration that informs understanding and management of water availability and water quality challenges in the Dakotas.

• The Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Plains CESU" 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 May 29, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 12, 2018. (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 $490,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for G18AS00053

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