Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with North Atlantic Coast CESU Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G23AS00393

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is a discretionary cooperative agreement issued by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) through the Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NOROCK). It supports research focused on how winter ticks and other parasite infections affect moose health, with an emphasis on where these infections overlap on the landscape and how combined parasite pressures may influence moose condition and population outcomes.

Which USGS office is offering the award?

The opportunity is issued by USGS, specifically through the Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NOROCK).

What is the main scientific focus of the project?

The central focus is the co-distribution (overlap in space) of parasite infections in moose. The project is intended to examine where winter ticks occur and how their presence overlaps with other parasite infections, especially in ways that could compound impacts on moose health during late winter when animals are already under stress.

Is the project only about winter ticks?

No. Winter ticks are a key concern, but the opportunity highlights that winter ticks may not be the only driver of poor moose health and performance. The research emphasis includes other parasite infections and whether multiple parasites may interact (directly or indirectly) to worsen outcomes beyond what any single infection might cause alone.

Why is this research being funded (what problem is it trying to address)?

The underlying concern is that moose populations appear to be declining along the southern edge of their North American range, and parasite burdens are frequently cited as a major contributor. In the northeastern United States, winter tick infestations have been strongly linked to calf mortality and reduced productivity. This opportunity aims to address a gap in understanding by determining whether overlapping parasite infections help explain observed health outcomes more accurately than winter ticks alone.

What does "co-distribution of parasite infections" mean in this opportunity?

In this context, co-distribution refers to identifying where winter ticks occur on the landscape and determining how those areas overlap with the presence of other parasite infections in moose. The intended outcome is to map or characterize patterns of overlap and evaluate whether those overlaps are associated with worse health indicators, higher susceptibility to mortality, or broader population-level effects.

What kind of results is USGS looking for?

The opportunity is aimed at producing actionable scientific insight into parasite overlap and its implications for moose declines. A key intended use is to determine whether areas with heavy winter tick pressure are also hotspots for other parasites, and whether combined parasite burdens may better explain poor condition, calf survival challenges, reduced productivity, or mortality risk.

What type of award instrument will be used?

The award instrument is a cooperative agreement.

What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant?

A cooperative agreement typically indicates that USGS expects to have substantial involvement in the project compared with a standard grant. The notice describes potential involvement such as collaboration on study design, data coordination, interpretation, and delivery of results.

What program is this opportunity associated with?

This opportunity is being offered under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program, which is a partnership-based mechanism used by federal agencies to obtain research, technical assistance, and education support from affiliated institutions.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to applicants that are active participating partners of the North Atlantic Coast CESU.

If an organization is not a North Atlantic Coast CESU partner, can it apply?

Based on the provided notice text, eligibility is limited to active participating partners of the North Atlantic Coast CESU. No other eligible applicant categories are described in the information provided.

What is the maximum funding amount available (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $130,000.

Is the number of expected awards provided?

The notice indicates an "expected awards" field, but the number is not specified in the provided text.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is G23AS00393.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number is 15.808.

What is the activity category for this funding?

The activity category is listed as Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

When was the opportunity created and when did it close?

The opportunity was created on June 7, 2023. The original closing date was July 7, 2023.

Is the geographic context limited to a specific region?

The opportunity references concerns about moose declines along the southern edge of their North American range and specifically notes evidence from the northeastern United States where winter tick infestations have been strongly linked to calf mortality and reduced productivity. The research emphasis described is the spatial overlap of winter ticks and other parasites on the landscape.

What moose health impacts are highlighted in the opportunity description?

The description highlights that winter tick infestations have been strongly linked to calf mortality and reduced productivity (particularly in the northeastern United States). It also emphasizes that additional parasite infections may worsen outcomes, especially during late winter when animals are already under stress, potentially influencing condition, susceptibility to mortality, and population-level effects.

Does the opportunity assume winter ticks are harmful, or is it trying to answer a different question?

The goal is not simply to confirm that winter ticks are harmful. Instead, it aims to address a gap in understanding about how different parasites may interact or overlap in space and potentially compound impacts on moose, improving understanding of observed health outcomes beyond a single-parasite explanation.