Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forests CESU | G20AS00030

Opportunity Information: Apply for G20AS00030

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), within the Department of the Interior, announced a discretionary funding opportunity under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network, specifically the Great Lakes Northern Forests CESU. The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the selected recipient should expect active involvement and collaboration with the federal partners during the project rather than a hands-off grant. The opportunity was posted on January 13, 2020, with an original application deadline of February 3, 2020. USGS anticipated making one award, with a maximum funding level (award ceiling) of $150,000. The listed CFDA number for this program area is 15.808, and eligibility is limited to CESU partners (with additional eligibility details referenced in the original notice).

The scientific focus of the project is chronic wasting disease (CWD) modeling. CWD is described as a fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting cervids (such as deer, elk, and related species). It is a major and growing management concern for state and federal wildlife agencies because it continues to spread across North America and expand within cervid herds. The core management premise behind the opportunity is that preventing the introduction of CWD into new regions, and limiting spread from emerging outbreak locations, is the most effective strategy for protecting cervid populations. Because prevention and early containment require targeted decisions, the program emphasizes the need for practical, science-based tools that managers can use to guide surveillance and control actions.

The primary work product sought is an integrated mathematical and statistical modeling framework that explicitly incorporates animal movement information to forecast how CWD may spread from new foci (newly detected outbreak areas). In addition to prediction, the framework is expected to support decision-making by generating recommendations about where disease control efforts should be applied to maximize the likelihood of success. In practice, this implies an applied modeling effort that links movement behavior and spatial spread dynamics to actionable guidance, such as identifying priority areas for intervention, targeted management zones, or resource allocation strategies designed to reduce the probability of establishment or onward transmission.

A second major objective is to investigate quantitative models that can estimate the relative importance of direct versus indirect transmission in the CWD system. Direct transmission generally refers to infection passed through animal-to-animal contact, while indirect transmission refers to infection mediated through the environment (for example, contaminated sites or materials that can expose animals over time). By clarifying the relative contribution of these pathways, the modeling work is intended to help managers aim control actions at the most influential disease drivers, rather than relying on broad measures that may be less efficient or less effective.

Finally, the opportunity notes that the project should also be positioned to address other wildlife disease modeling needs as they arise. This signals a desire for a flexible modeling approach and an ongoing collaborative relationship, where the methods and analytical capacity developed for CWD can be extended or adapted to related management questions, new data streams, or emerging disease issues relevant to wildlife agencies.

• 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, Great Lakes Northern Forests 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 Jan 13, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 03, 2020. (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 $150,000.00 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).

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