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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity about?

This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) discretionary funding opportunity supports applied research to improve oil spill response. The main emphasis is on developing new field-ready techniques or capabilities that make spill characterization and response decision-making faster and more reliable during an incident.

What specific problem is this opportunity trying to solve?

The opportunity targets a key operational challenge: screening oil samples in the field is often difficult. If field screening is slow, equipment-heavy, or produces uncertain results, it can delay time-sensitive decisions and reduce the usefulness of the samples ultimately sent for detailed laboratory analysis. The intent is to close that gap by improving the speed, practicality, and usefulness of field screening and related spill characterization methods.

Why is field screening and spill characterization so important during a spill?

During a spill, responders need usable information quickly. Data about oil concentration and composition directly influences removal actions and helps resource managers decide how best to protect sensitive environments. When conditions change rapidly, the ability to characterize the spill on-site supports better real-time decision-making.

How does this opportunity relate to federal spill response responsibilities?

The work is framed by responsibilities described in the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). The NCP emphasizes on-site characterization of a spill to determine both the size of the release and the type of oil involved, so that response actions can be informed by timely, relevant information.

What kinds of research outcomes is USGS looking for?

The opportunity is aimed at applied research that translates into improved operational spill response. In particular, it seeks improvements in field-ready screening and characterization techniques that help responders make faster, better-informed decisions during incidents.

Does the opportunity focus only on cleanup logistics?

No. The program notes that Department of the Interior (DOI) oil spill responders support decisions that go beyond cleanup logistics. Spill response must also consider protection of natural resources (such as fish and wildlife), cultural resources, and recovery planning. The funded research is meant to strengthen the information and tools responders rely on when weighing tradeoffs in real time to minimize harm to ecosystems and other sensitive resources.

Who is the funding agency?

The funding agency is the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

What is the funding mechanism (grant type) for this opportunity?

The award instrument is a cooperative agreement. This indicates substantial involvement by the federal agency is expected during the project, such as collaboration on technical direction, data needs, or coordination with spill response programs, rather than a hands-off grant structure.

What program is this opportunity issued under?

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.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to organizations that are participating partners in the Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit.

What is the opportunity title?

The opportunity title is "Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit."

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is G23AS00407.

What is the CFDA number and program category listed for this opportunity?

The listing identifies the activity as science and technology and other research and development under CFDA 15.808.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The listed award ceiling is $140,168.

How many awards does USGS expect to make?

The posting indicates "ExpectedAwards:" but does not provide a number. Based on the information provided, the exact number of anticipated awards is not specified.

When was this opportunity created and when did it close?

The opportunity was created on June 13, 2023. The original closing date was July 21, 2023.

What does success look like for a project funded through this opportunity?

Based on the description, success would mean producing research results that improve the real-world speed and reliability of oil spill field screening and characterization, leading to faster and more dependable decision-making during spill response while supporting protection of sensitive natural and cultural resources and recovery planning.

Is the focus on laboratory methods or on field-ready methods?

The emphasis is on field-ready techniques or capabilities. The need is to support rapid decisions about where to collect samples, what to prioritize, and how to adjust tactics as conditions change. Laboratory analysis remains important, but this opportunity is specifically focused on strengthening what can be done on-site to guide response decisions.

How does improved field screening affect sampling strategy during an incident?

Improved field screening can help teams decide where to collect samples, what to prioritize, and how to adapt tactics as conditions change. If field screening becomes faster and more practical, responders can make better time-sensitive choices and send more relevant samples for detailed laboratory work.

What broader decision-making does this research support during spill response?

The research is intended to strengthen the information and tools used in real-time tradeoff decisions, especially when the goal is to minimize harm to ecosystems and other sensitive resources while supporting response actions, resource protection, and recovery planning.