Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Desert Southwest CESU | G19AS00101

Opportunity Information: Apply for G19AS00101

The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Desert Southwest CESU funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number G19AS00101) was issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), specifically through the Southwest Biological Science Center (SBSC). It is a discretionary grant opportunity using a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument, which typically means the USGS expects to be actively involved with the recipient during the life of the project (for example, through collaboration, coordination, data sharing, or technical input), rather than simply issuing funds and receiving a final report.

The core purpose of the opportunity is to support research that helps build a program centered on advanced remote sensing for desert and grassland ecosystems of the U.S. Southwest. The work is framed around two main goals. First, the project is intended to use remote sensing data to develop an online forecasting tool that can predict southwestern grassland productivity for the upcoming growing season. In practical terms, this points to creating a web-accessible decision-support product that translates satellite or other remotely sensed observations into a forward-looking estimate of how productive grasslands are likely to be, which can be important for rangeland management, drought planning, grazing decisions, and broader ecosystem monitoring.

Second, the opportunity seeks research that leverages new remote sensing platforms to improve scientific understanding of how southwestern U.S. ecosystems function and how they respond to change. This part emphasizes innovation and advancing ecological knowledge using newer observation approaches, which may include emerging satellite sensors, uncrewed aircraft systems, high-resolution aerial imagery, or other modern remote sensing technologies. The emphasis is not only on mapping conditions, but on using these tools to better understand ecosystem processes and responses over time, including how ecosystems react to climate variability, drought, land use pressures, or other environmental stressors.

Administratively, the opportunity falls under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category and is associated with CFDA number 15.808. The stated award ceiling is $120,000, with an expectation of making one award. The opportunity was created on July 9, 2019, and originally closed on July 26, 2019, indicating it was a time-limited solicitation with a short application window. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement text (meaning the program likely targeted a specific set of partners typical of CESU agreements, such as participating CESU network institutions or other qualifying organizations, but the exact constraints would be in the complete eligibility section of the notice).

Overall, this funding opportunity is aimed at building applied, operationally useful remote sensing capacity for the Southwest while also pushing forward ecosystem science. It combines a deliverable that is explicitly meant to be practical and user-facing (an online seasonal productivity forecasting tool) with a broader research component focused on advancing methods and understanding through next-generation remote sensing platforms.

• The Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Desert Southwest CESU" 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 Jul 09, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 26, 2019. (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 $120,000.00 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 G19AS00101

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