Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Great Lakes – Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) | G26AS00155

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is a US Geological Survey (USGS) discretionary funding opportunity issued as a cooperative agreement to strengthen wildlife disease molecular diagnostic testing and support long-term capacity building. The work is centered on parasitology at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC), which serves as a national diagnostic hub for investigating wildlife illness events and die-offs.

2) Which agency is offering the award?

The awarding agency is the US Geological Survey (USGS).

3) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is G26AS00155.

4) What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number?

The Assistance Listing (CFDA) number shown in the notice is 15.808.

5) What type of award is this?

The notice describes this as a cooperative agreement. In general, a cooperative agreement typically includes substantial involvement from the federal agency during the period of performance, rather than a fully hands-off grant structure.

6) What is the program framework for this opportunity?

This opportunity is issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program, a partnership framework intended to support research, technical assistance, and education through affiliated institutions.

7) What is the primary purpose of the project?

The core purpose is to rebuild and expand parasitology capability at NWHC to close a current service gap, improving the center's ability to meet present and future diagnostic and surveillance needs related to wildlife health, national security, and public safety.

8) Why is parasitology a focus area?

The notice explains that parasitology has traditionally been an essential diagnostic discipline at NWHC because it supports both classic taxonomy and modern molecular methods used to detect, identify, and characterize parasites. The award is intended to restore and enhance this capacity.

9) What kinds of activities does the opportunity emphasize?

The work is framed as both (1) laboratory capability enhancement and (2) network/capacity building. The technical focus is improving detection, characterization, and monitoring of parasitic diseases in wildlife using molecular diagnostics and integrative approaches. The capacity-building focus includes generating high-quality reference data and sharing methods, results, and expertise with partners.

10) What technical outcomes is the project expected to support?

Expected outcomes include improved ability to detect, identify, and interpret parasite-related wildlife disease issues using molecular diagnostics and integrative approaches that produce reliable identifications and actionable interpretations.

11) What is meant by "reference data" in this context?

The notice highlights generating high-quality reference data as baseline information that improves confidence in future testing and enables stronger comparisons over time and across locations.

12) Who are the intended partners or collaborators for sharing results and methods?

The notice indicates results, methods, and expertise are intended to be shared with a wide range of partners, including federal agencies, state agencies, Tribal governments, and other collaborators.

13) How does this work support surveillance and decision-making?

The practical outcomes highlighted include better surveillance, improved decision support, and more dependable diagnostic coverage for parasite-related wildlife disease issues. The notice ties these improvements to protecting people, property, and wildlife resources, and supporting safe recreation and subsistence uses on Department of the Interior lands and waters.

14) Does the opportunity connect to broader government priorities?

Yes. USGS positions the work as supporting multiple recent executive orders and departmental directives by improving preparedness and coordination across levels of government and strengthening early detection and risk assessment for wildlife disease threats.

15) What does the notice mean by "gold standard" science expectations?

As described, this refers to rigorous national surveillance, standardized diagnostic approaches, and transparent, science-based tools used to assess and manage wildlife disease risks.

16) How many awards are expected?

The notice indicates an anticipated single award, with one expected award.

17) What is the maximum funding amount?

The maximum (ceiling) funding amount listed in the notice is $276,000.

18) When is the application due?

The posting lists an original application closing date of September 4, 2026.

19) What is the posting (creation) date?

The notice lists a creation date of August 4, 2026.

20) Who is eligible to apply?

The eligible applicant category is listed as "Others," but the controlling eligibility requirement described is that applicants must be a participating partner of the Rocky Mountain CESU Program.

21) Why does the CESU eligibility language matter here?

The opportunity title references the Great Lakes - Northern Forest CESU, while the eligibility language specifies the Rocky Mountain CESU Program. Based on the notice language provided, interested organizations would need to confirm their current CESU partner status under the required unit before applying.

22) Where will the work be focused?

The work is focused on parasitology capability at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC), described as a national diagnostic hub for wildlife disease investigations.

23) What gap is this award intended to address?

The notice states that NWHC currently has a service gap in parasitology, and the award is intended to rebuild and expand that capability.

24) What broader benefits does the notice claim this work will provide?

The notice links improved parasite diagnostics and surveillance to benefits such as earlier detection and improved risk assessment, more efficient state-federal coordination for high-consequence parasite threats, reduced downstream regulatory pressures associated with wildlife population declines, and responsible stewardship that supports ecological integrity and economic activity tied to outdoor recreation.