Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Great Basin Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G24AS00209

Opportunity Information: Apply for G24AS00209

The US Geological Survey (USGS) is soliciting proposals for a cooperative agreement to support research focused on illegal shooting of birds along powerlines in the Great Basin portions of US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Region 8. The work sits within the broader goal of understanding and addressing human-caused mortality affecting birds in landscapes where utility infrastructure is common, and where evidence of illegal shooting along powerline corridors has been documented. The opportunity is framed as a science and technology research effort, indicating that the expected outcomes are likely to include data collection, analysis, and practical recommendations that can inform management or enforcement strategies.

This funding opportunity is being issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program, specifically through the Great Basin CESU. CESUs are formal partnerships designed to connect federal agencies with research institutions and other partners to deliver applied research, technical assistance, and education that support public land and natural resource priorities. Because it is released under the CESU framework, the award is structured as a cooperative agreement rather than a traditional grant, which typically means USGS anticipates substantial involvement during the project. That involvement can include collaboration on study design, coordination on field activities, support with access to data or sites, and participation in interpreting results and translating findings into usable products.

Eligibility is limited to organizations that are active participating partners of the Great Basin Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit. The eligible applicant category is listed as "Others," but the controlling requirement is CESU partnership status with the Great Basin CESU. Applicants that are not part of this CESU partnership would not be eligible under this specific announcement, even if they are otherwise capable of conducting the work.

Key administrative details include the opportunity number G24AS00209 and the CFDA listing 15.808. The award ceiling is $75,000, and the announcement was created on December 12, 2023, with an original closing date of January 12, 2024. The funding instrument type is a cooperative agreement, and the activity category is science and technology and other research and development. While the listing references expected awards, the specific number of anticipated awards is not provided in the source details shared here.

In practical terms, this opportunity is intended to fund a CESU-affiliated partner to investigate and better characterize illegal shooting incidents involving birds on or near powerline infrastructure in the Great Basin portion of USFWS Region 8. The expected value of the project is to generate credible information that can help agencies and partners understand the scope and patterns of the problem and support targeted responses, whether through improved monitoring, outreach, deterrence strategies, or coordination with relevant stakeholders involved in powerline management and wildlife protection.

• The Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Great Basin Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit" 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 2023-12-12.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-01-12. (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 $75,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for G24AS00209

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