Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forests | G18AS00102

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the name and number of this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU) Great Lakes Northern Forests funding opportunity, Funding Opportunity Number (FON) G18AS00102.

2) Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

The opportunity was published by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) within the Department of the Interior.

3) What type of funding mechanism is being used?

USGS is offering this as a discretionary grant through a cooperative agreement mechanism.

4) When was the opportunity posted, and when were applications due?

The original posting date was July 31, 2018. The application deadline was August 14, 2018.

5) How many awards did USGS expect to make under this announcement?

USGS anticipated making a single award under this announcement.

6) What is the maximum award amount?

The maximum award amount (ceiling) is $41,371.

7) What is the central purpose of the award?

The purpose is to support research that develops practical diagnostic tools and methodologies to investigate and respond to recent die-offs of unionid mussels (native freshwater mussels).

8) What specific conservation problem is USGS trying to address?

The agency highlights that large-scale freshwater mussel mortality events have continued despite ongoing conservation actions, and it identifies a key gap: limited attention to disease as a potential driver of mussel declines.

9) Which organisms are the focus of the research?

The focus is unionid mussels, described as native freshwater mussels that have experienced recent die-offs.

10) Why are unionid mussels described as ecologically important in this opportunity?

The notice characterizes unionid mussels as ecologically critical because they function as keystone species in freshwater systems.

11) What does the opportunity say about mussels as "ecosystem engineers"?

It notes that unionid mussels can improve habitat conditions for other organisms, which is why they are described as "ecosystem engineers."

12) How are unionid mussels used as indicator species, according to the notice?

The opportunity explains that mussels are used as indicator species because their health and presence can provide early warning signals about broader ecosystem condition and water quality trends.

13) What kinds of conservation actions are mentioned as already being used?

The opportunity mentions captive propagation, relocation, monitoring programs, efforts to reduce habitat loss, and other ongoing conservation actions.

14) What gap in current conservation efforts does the announcement emphasize?

It emphasizes that disease (and other health-related causes) has received comparatively limited attention as a possible contributor to freshwater mussel declines, even as die-offs persist.

15) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to CESU partners under the Great Lakes Northern Forests CESU network.

16) The listing says "Others" under eligibility. What does that mean here?

The listing indicates "Others" and directs applicants to consult the opportunity's additional eligibility information for the specific clarification. Based on the provided description, eligibility is still framed as limited to CESU partners within the Great Lakes Northern Forests network.

17) What category of activity does this opportunity fall under?

The activity is categorized as Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

18) What is CFDA 15.808 and why is it included?

CFDA 15.808 is identified as a USGS assistance program identifier used for federal grant tracking and reporting.

19) Is this a large multi-award program or a targeted project?

It is described as a targeted, relatively small, single-award research effort.

20) What is the intended outcome or impact of the funded research?

The intent is to strengthen scientific and diagnostic capacity to identify causes of unionid mussel die-offs and improve the ability of managers and researchers to respond effectively.

21) Does the announcement explicitly connect the research to management and response actions?

Yes. The opportunity states the research should develop practical diagnostic tools and methodologies to investigate die-offs and support effective responses by managers and researchers.

22) Is the opportunity focused on habitat loss, disease, or both?

While it acknowledges common conservation work aimed at habitat and management interventions (such as reducing habitat loss), it specifically emphasizes that disease has been comparatively underexplored and is a major gap the research is meant to address.