Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G24AS00351

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What agency is offering this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

2) What type of funding instrument is being used?

The funding instrument is a discretionary cooperative agreement.

3) What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement (not a standard grant)?

Because this is a cooperative agreement, the notice indicates there is generally substantial involvement by the federal agency during the period of performance, compared to a standard grant.

4) What program is this opportunity issued under?

The award is issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program.

5) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to organizations that are already participating partners in the Rocky Mountain CESU.

6) Are non-partners or organizations outside the Rocky Mountain CESU eligible?

No. Applicants outside the Rocky Mountain CESU partnership structure are not considered eligible under the terms described.

7) What is the overall purpose of the project?

The project supports research and development work to strengthen the USGS glacier dashboard, an online, interactive platform intended to make glacier-related spatial data easier for a broad audience to access, explore, and use.

8) What problem is the opportunity trying to address?

The opportunity is responding to the rapid growth in size and complexity of remote sensing and model-based glacier datasets, and the fact that their practical value is often limited by how difficult it can be to visualize and analyze many layers together in a single, usable environment.

9) What are the main outcomes expected from the award?

The work is aimed at two main outcomes: (1) incorporating additional large spatial datasets into the existing glacier dashboard, and (2) expanding the dashboard's analysis and visualization capabilities, especially for change-over-time tools and tools that summarize data within real-world management boundaries.

10) What kinds of datasets are specifically mentioned as targets for integration?

The notice highlights examples including minimum snow-covered area data (Zeller et al., in press), time-variable glacier outlines compiled from multiple sources, and datasets describing proglacial and periglacial lakes (Rick et al., 2023). The description also leaves room for other relevant dataset additions.

11) Does the opportunity allow adding datasets beyond the examples listed?

Yes. While the notice provides examples of targeted dataset types, it also allows for other relevant additions.

12) What does "incorporate additional large spatial datasets" mean in practice?

It means adding more glacier-related spatial data layers to the existing dashboard so users can view more information in one place and in context with other available data.

13) What new visualization capability is specifically called out?

The opportunity specifically calls for new capabilities to view time-variable data, meaning users should be able to explore how glacier-related indicators change across different dates or time periods rather than only viewing a single static layer.

14) What analysis capability related to boundaries or jurisdictions is emphasized?

The project calls for aggregation and averaging tools by management units, so users can calculate statistics for a chosen boundary such as a National Park or National Forest.

15) What kinds of statistics are envisioned for management-unit summaries?

The notice describes summary values such as range and mean (and other summary values) for a dataset within a specific administrative area.

16) Why are management-unit aggregation tools important for this dashboard?

These tools support the way land and resource managers often evaluate conditions and trends, which is frequently within administrative or management boundaries (for example, a specific National Park or National Forest).

17) What is the activity category for this opportunity?

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

18) What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is G24AS00351.

19) What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA (Assistance Listing) number is 15.808.

20) What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?

The award ceiling is $35,833.

21) When was this opportunity posted?

The posting date is April 29, 2024.

22) What is the closing date listed for the opportunity?

The original closing date is May 29, 2024.

23) What platform is being strengthened through this work?

The work strengthens the USGS glacier dashboard, described as an online, interactive platform for glacier-related spatial data.

24) Who is the intended audience for the improved dashboard?

The dashboard is intended to make glacier-related spatial data easier for a broad audience to access, explore, and use.

25) What kinds of user questions should the enhanced dashboard help answer?

In practical terms, the described tools would allow users to ask questions such as the range, mean, or other summary values for a dataset within a chosen administrative boundary (for example, within a particular National Park or National Forest), and to explore how indicators shift across time.