Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the North Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G25AS00341

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity about?

This is a US Geological Survey (USGS) cooperative agreement focused on improving the science of how tidal wetlands exchange water and dissolved or suspended materials with nearby coastal waters. The work emphasizes interpreting and synthesizing a large, coordinated set of measurements describing lateral aquatic fluxes (what moves in and out of wetlands with the tides).

Which USGS office is leading the effort?

The effort is being led through the USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center (WHCMSC).

What does "lateral aquatic fluxes" mean in the context of this project?

In practical terms, it refers to tracking the movement of water and materials between tidal wetlands and adjacent coastal waters as tides rise and fall. The materials can include nutrients, carbon, sediments, and other dissolved or suspended constituents.

What are the main scientific goals of the project?

The project aims to (1) bring together a coordinated multi-site dataset in a standardized way, (2) assess spatial and temporal patterns in flux rates, and (3) identify predictive controls that explain why fluxes differ among sites or change through time.

Is this opportunity meant to fund a new field campaign?

No. The solicitation emphasizes making the most of an existing coordinated dataset. The primary focus is data integration, standardization, cross-site comparisons, and analysis/synthesis rather than launching a brand-new field campaign.

What kind of data is expected to be used?

The project builds on multi-year, high-frequency time series flux data collected using consistent methods across many sites. Supporting information is expected to include water budgets and other measurements that help interpret flux behavior.

Where are the study sites located?

Sites span the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts of the United States.

What types of materials or constituents are included in the flux measurements?

The notice describes movements such as nutrients, carbon, sediments, and other dissolved or suspended materials exchanged between wetlands and coastal waters.

What kinds of analyses or tasks could the funded partner contribute?

Examples described in the notice include harmonizing formats and metadata, applying consistent calculations and quality checks, comparing flux rates across regions, and developing statistical or process-based approaches that relate fluxes to environmental drivers.

What environmental drivers or controls might be evaluated as predictors of flux behavior?

The notice lists potential drivers such as tides, storms, salinity, wetland geomorphology, vegetation, and watershed inputs, among other environmental factors that may explain rates and direction of exchange.

What is the intended use or impact of the results?

The results are intended to support better decision-making for coastal landscapes, including wetland management and broader coastal planning, by improving prediction and understanding of wetland-coastal exchange across diverse settings.

What funding mechanism is being used?

The award will be issued as a cooperative agreement.

What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement indicates USGS is expected to have substantial involvement in the project. The notice provides examples such as coordinating methods, providing data streams, collaborating on analyses, and jointly shaping deliverables, rather than operating as a hands-off grant.

What program is this opportunity under?

This opportunity is issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program, which supports partnerships delivering research, technical assistance, and education on natural resource and ecosystem topics.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to applicants that are already participating partners in the North Atlantic Coast CESU.

Can organizations outside the North Atlantic Coast CESU apply?

Not under the terms described. The notice states eligibility is limited to participating partners in the North Atlantic Coast CESU.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is G25AS00341.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The notice lists CFDA 15.808.

How is the opportunity categorized?

It is categorized as Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

What is the maximum award amount?

The maximum award amount listed is $221,929.

What is the application closing date?

The original closing date listed is September 8, 2025.

Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

The posting lists the agency as the Geological Survey (USGS).

Is this a discretionary financial assistance opportunity?

Yes. The notice indicates this is a discretionary financial assistance opportunity.

What is USGS looking for in an affiliated research partner?

USGS WHCMSC is seeking an affiliated research partner to help interpret and synthesize the large coordinated dataset, contribute to cross-site data standardization, analyze variability in wetland-coastal exchange rates, and develop insights or models to improve prediction across diverse coastal settings.

Does the project involve multi-institution coordination?

Yes. A key feature is that it builds on a national, multi-institution network that has already been collecting flux data using consistent methods across many sites, with USGS and academic teams contributing data and supporting measurements.

What kinds of deliverables are implied by the notice?

While specific deliverable formats are not enumerated, the notice indicates expectations for standardized cross-site datasets, quality-controlled calculations, comparative assessments of spatial and temporal patterns, and predictive insights or models linking fluxes to environmental drivers, developed collaboratively with USGS involvement.