Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G21AS00563

Opportunity Information: Apply for G21AS00563

This grant opportunity is a discretionary cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) focused on science and technology research and development in the area of broad-scale water quality modeling, with a specific emphasis on water temperature. The program frames water temperature as a "master variable" because it influences a wide range of aquatic and water-dependent outcomes, including whether aquatic habitats remain suitable for key species, how much water is lost through evaporation, how greenhouse gases are exchanged between water and the atmosphere, and how efficiently thermoelectric power plants can operate. In practical terms, the USGS is looking to support research that can better describe, predict, and map stream and water temperature patterns across large areas, especially where direct measurements are incomplete.

A central motivation for the award is that, even though stream temperature is one of the most commonly measured water characteristics collected by the USGS, monitoring networks still have gaps. Those gaps can be geographic (places without sensors) and temporal (periods without consistent data), which limits how well agencies and resource managers can understand regional temperature dynamics or respond to emerging issues. The opportunity therefore emphasizes modeling efforts that can extend beyond individual monitoring sites to produce decision-ready information for stakeholders. This suggests the funded work should translate raw observations into usable products such as spatially continuous temperature estimates, broad-scale trend assessments, scenario analyses, or other model outputs that support management and planning.

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates that USGS expects substantial involvement during the project period rather than simply issuing a grant with minimal federal participation. The award is being issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) framework. CESUs are collaborative partnerships designed to connect federal agencies with academic and other research partners to deliver research, technical assistance, and education. As a result, eligibility is limited: applicants must be active participating partners of the Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit. In other words, this is not open to the general public or to organizations outside that specific CESU network.

Key administrative details include the funding opportunity title, "Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit," and the opportunity number G21AS00563. The CFDA number associated with this program is 15.808, and the issuing agency is the Geological Survey (USGS). The original posting date is listed as June 23, 2021, with an original closing date of July 23, 2021. The maximum funding amount (award ceiling) is $150,000. The listing indicates an expected awards field but does not clearly specify the number of awards, implying either one award or that the final number may depend on proposals and available funds.

Overall, the opportunity is best understood as targeted support for a Chesapeake Watershed CESU partner to work closely with USGS on large-scale modeling of water quality with water temperature as the primary focus. The intended outcome is improved understanding and predictive capacity for stream temperature across broad regions, filling monitoring gaps and delivering modeling products that stakeholders can use for environmental management, habitat protection, climate and energy-related planning, and other water-resource decisions.

• 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 Chesapeake Watershed 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 2021-06-23.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-07-23. (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 $150,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for G21AS00563

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