Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, South Florida Caribbean CESU | G19AS00116

Opportunity Information: Apply for G19AS00116

This grant opportunity, titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, South Florida Caribbean CESU" (Funding Opportunity Number G19AS00116), is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) discretionary funding announcement under the Department of the Interior. The award would be made as a cooperative agreement, which typically means the USGS expects to be substantially involved in the project rather than simply providing funds and stepping back. The focus sits squarely in science and technology research and development (CFDA 15.808), and it is aimed at supporting work that strengthens ongoing restoration science in the Greater Everglades.

The core purpose of the opportunity is to fund research and technical assistance that explains how wading birds move across the landscape in ways that connect freshwater wetlands to coastal ecosystems, especially under conditions shaped by upstream freshwater restoration. In practical terms, the project is meant to look at movement patterns as an ecological "bridge" between inland wetland restoration actions and downstream coastal habitat conditions. The USGS groups leading the effort are the Greater Everglades Priority Ecosystems Science center in Davie, Florida, and the Wetland and Aquatic Research Center in Gainesville, Florida, reflecting that this work is intended to integrate field ecology, monitoring, and applied modeling across the broader Everglades system.

A central species of interest is the Little Blue Heron, identified here as a state-listed species that depends on coastal habitats that are increasingly stressed and degraded by environmental change. The opportunity is designed for a CESU partner capable of using modern, cutting-edge monitoring and modeling tools to evaluate how this species might respond as conditions shift. The announcement highlights several adaptation pathways the research could examine, such as whether the birds begin selecting different habitats, adjusting where and when they move, or changing foraging strategies to cope with altered prey availability, salinity patterns, hydrology, or habitat quality as restoration progresses and as sea level rise and related coastal impacts intensify.

The broader context is that the USGS already conducts extensive ecological and hydrologic research and monitoring in support of Greater Everglades restoration, working alongside federal, state, and local partners. This funded project is intended to plug directly into that larger restoration science enterprise by producing information that can inform decision-making during restoration planning and implementation. In other words, it is not only basic research on bird movements, but applied science meant to clarify restoration consequences and tradeoffs, especially where freshwater delivery decisions upstream can ripple into coastal food webs and the habitats wading birds rely on.

Eligibility is limited to partners within the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit network for the South Florida Caribbean CESU (listed generally as "Others" with clarification in the full eligibility text), and the award structure indicates a single anticipated project. The expected funding is up to an award ceiling of $400,000, with one award expected. The opportunity was created July 10, 2019, with an original closing date of July 26, 2019, indicating a short application window typical of targeted cooperative research calls tied to active management needs and ongoing agency science priorities.

• 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, South Florida Caribbean 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 10, 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 $400,000.00 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 G19AS00116

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