Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) | G22AS00293

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity about?

This US Geological Survey (USGS) discretionary cooperative agreement supports research on how influenza A viruses (IAVs) are deposited into wetland environments and how long they remain viable (infectious) under different wetland-like conditions.

Why is USGS interested in influenza A virus persistence in wetlands?

The underlying concern is that North American wetlands may act as environmental reservoirs where infectious IAV can persist beyond the immediate presence of infected birds. If IAV remains infectious in water, sediment, or other wetland substrates for extended periods, it could enable indirect transmission among wild birds and contribute to the virus being carried and reintroduced across seasons and migration routes.

How could wetland persistence affect poultry operations?

If infectious IAV persists in wetland environments after migratory birds have left a region, it could increase the risk of spillover into poultry operations later in time. This is especially important in the context of highly pathogenic strains.

What kinds of research activities does the project emphasize?

The project is described as experimental and model-building. USGS is seeking work that develops new laboratory models that mimic wetland environments and then uses those models to run controlled experiments measuring IAV deposition and viability.

Does the opportunity focus only on lab-based simulated wetlands?

The description emphasizes simulated wetlands but also references non-simulated wetland environments. This suggests USGS is interested in findings that can translate beyond simplified lab setups and ultimately inform future field experiments.

What specific outcomes is USGS looking for from the research?

The intended outcomes include improved evidence on environmental persistence of IAV to strengthen epidemiological models. The results are meant to help clarify when and where environmental persistence may contribute to ongoing risk, supporting managers and decision-makers in anticipating and mitigating future outbreaks, including those driven by highly pathogenic IAV.

What is meant by "IAV deposition and viability" in this context?

In this opportunity, deposition refers to how influenza A viruses enter wetland environments (such as water, sediment, or other substrates), and viability refers to how long the viruses remain infectious under wetland-like conditions.

How does this research connect to epidemiological modeling?

The notice states that improving the evidence base on environmental persistence is a research priority for understanding transmission dynamics in wild bird systems. Data from controlled experiments in wetland-like models is intended to strengthen epidemiological models by better characterizing persistence and potential indirect transmission pathways.

What is the funding mechanism for this award?

The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement (not a standard grant). This generally indicates substantial involvement from USGS during the project and a more collaborative relationship between USGS and the recipient.

What does the cooperative agreement imply about USGS involvement?

Because this is a cooperative agreement, the notice indicates substantial involvement from USGS, consistent with the applied and management-relevant nature of the research described.

What program framework is this issued under?

This funding is issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) framework and is specifically tied to the Great Rivers CESU.

What is a CESU and why does it matter for this opportunity?

CESUs are partnership networks designed to connect federal agencies with qualified partners to deliver research, technical assistance, and education. For this opportunity, the CESU framework matters because eligibility is limited to official participating partners of the relevant CESU.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to applicants who are official participating partners of the Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program.

Is this opportunity open to any university, nonprofit, or private organization?

Not broadly. The notice states eligibility is limited to official participating partners of the Great Rivers CESU, so organizations must already be affiliated as participating partners within that CESU to be eligible.

What is the official title of the opportunity?

The opportunity title is "Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)."

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is G22AS00293.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 15.808.

What is the activity category for this funding?

The activity category is "Science and Technology and other Research and Development."

What is the maximum funding amount available?

The maximum funding amount listed in the notice is $120,000.

When was the opportunity created and what was the original closing date?

The opportunity was created on March 29, 2022, and the original closing date was April 29, 2022.

What agency is offering this cooperative agreement?

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

What is the main management or decision-support purpose of the work?

The notice indicates the work is intended to produce results that help managers and decision-makers anticipate and mitigate future outbreaks by clarifying whether environmental persistence in wetlands could be contributing to ongoing risk, including risk linked to highly pathogenic IAV.