Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Pacific Northwest CESU | G17AS00113

Opportunity Information: Apply for G17AS00113

The US Geological Survey (USGS), within the Department of the Interior, announced a discretionary research funding opportunity under the Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) to support a targeted climate and ecology synthesis project. The opportunity, listed as Funding Opportunity Number G17AS00113, is structured as a cooperative agreement, which generally means the agency expects to be substantially involved during the project period (for example, helping refine the work plan, collaborating on products, or coordinating access to data and stakeholders). The award is intended for a CESU partner organization, with eligibility described broadly as "Others" but clarified through the CESU partnership framework referenced in the opportunity.

The purpose of the project is to produce a synthesis of phenological changes in the Pacific Northwest that are occurring as a result of climate change and to examine adaptation actions that have been taken in response to those changes. Phenology is the study of seasonal timing in biological life cycle events, such as when plants flower or leaf out, when insects emerge, and when birds and fish migrate or spawn. Because these events are closely tied to temperature, precipitation, snowpack, and other climate-related cues, shifts in climate conditions can alter the timing of these processes. The opportunity highlights the practical problem that climate-driven shifts can cause mismatches across interconnected species and processes, such as flowers blooming earlier than the emergence of their pollinators, or changes in river conditions that affect fish migration timing.

From a deliverables standpoint, the work centers on pulling together and summarizing existing knowledge rather than conducting a large new field campaign. A strong synthesis in this context typically involves reviewing and integrating findings from published literature, agency monitoring programs, tribal and local observations where appropriate, and other credible datasets to describe what changes have been observed, where they are occurring, and what the likely drivers and consequences are. The second major component is an assessment of adaptation actions, meaning practical management or policy responses intended to reduce risk or increase resilience in the face of shifting phenology. This could include changes in land or habitat management, restoration timing, monitoring strategies, fisheries and wildlife management decisions, agricultural or forestry practices, or other resource management adjustments designed to better align with new seasonal patterns.

The program is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development and is associated with CFDA number 15.820. Funding is modest and focused: the award ceiling is $60,000, and USGS anticipated making a single award. The opportunity was created on July 12, 2017, with an original application closing date of July 28, 2017, indicating a short application window and a fairly specific, time-sensitive need for a synthesis product.

In practical terms, this grant opportunity is aimed at producing a clear, decision-relevant summary of how climate change is already reshaping seasonal biological timing across the Northwest and what has been done so far to adapt. The intended value is to help agencies and partners understand the scope of observed phenological shifts, anticipate ecological and management impacts, identify promising adaptation approaches, and highlight gaps where monitoring or additional research may be needed to support future resource management decisions.

• The Department of the Interior, Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Pacific Northwest CESU" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.820.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 12, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 28, 2017. (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 $60,000.00 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 G17AS00113

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: