Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G23AS00407

Opportunity Information: Apply for G23AS00407

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is offering a discretionary funding opportunity through a cooperative agreement to support research that improves oil spill response, with a particular focus on developing new field-ready techniques or capabilities that make spill characterization and decision-making faster and more reliable. The work is framed by federal spill response responsibilities described in the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP), which emphasizes the need for on-site characterization of a spill to determine both the size of the release and the type of oil involved. In practice, that means responders need usable information quickly, because data on oil concentration and composition directly influences removal actions and helps resource managers decide how best to protect sensitive environments.

A central problem the opportunity aims to address is the difficulty of screening oil samples in the field. During an incident, response teams often need to make rapid choices about where to collect samples, what to prioritize, and how to adapt tactics as conditions change. If field screening is slow, equipment-heavy, or too uncertain, it can delay decisions and reduce the quality or relevance of the samples ultimately sent for more detailed laboratory analysis. This opportunity is intended to spur research that closes that gap by improving the speed, practicality, and usefulness of field screening and related spill characterization methods.

The program also highlights that Department of the Interior (DOI) oil spill responders are expected to support decisions that go beyond cleanup logistics. Spill response must also consider protection of natural resources such as fish and wildlife, as well as cultural resources, and it must support recovery planning. The research funded under this cooperative agreement is therefore meant to strengthen the information and tools responders rely on when weighing tradeoffs in real time, especially when the goal is to minimize harm to ecosystems and other sensitive resources.

This financial assistance opportunity is issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program, which is designed to leverage partnerships for research, technical assistance, and education. Eligibility is limited to organizations that are participating partners in the Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit. The listing identifies the award instrument as a cooperative agreement, signaling that substantial involvement by the federal agency is expected during the project (for example, collaboration on technical direction, data needs, or coordination with response programs), rather than a hands-off grant structure.

Key administrative details include the opportunity title "Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit" and funding opportunity number G23AS00407. The agency is the U.S. Geological Survey, with the activity categorized as science and technology and other research and development under CFDA 15.808. The opportunity was created on June 13, 2023, with an original closing date of July 21, 2023. The listed award ceiling is $140,168, and the opportunity anticipates making an award (the posting shows "ExpectedAwards:" without a number filled in). Overall, the funding is aimed at applied research that can translate into improved operational spill response, especially better field screening and characterization of oil that supports faster, better-informed decisions during incidents.

• 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 Great Rivers 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 2023-06-13.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-07-21. (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 $140,168.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for G23AS00407

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