Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with Californian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G27AS00037

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the main goal of this USGS funding opportunity?

The project goal is to develop an enhanced gene expression panel that can distinguish among multiple, distinct biological and environmental stressors affecting organism health, population viability, and overall ecosystem condition. The intent is to improve the ability to identify which stressors are driving observed physiological changes, strengthening ecosystem monitoring and speeding up interpretation of field observations.

What kind of research is being requested?

The opportunity requests targeted research in environmental genomics, specifically aimed at improving a gene expression panel that can differentiate among stressor signals that may otherwise be hard to separate using traditional monitoring approaches alone.

Why is a gene expression panel important for ecosystem monitoring?

A refined gene expression panel can help monitoring programs move beyond detecting that an organism is stressed to identifying which stressors are most consistent with the observed response. This can support faster, more confident interpretation of field observations and strengthen the usefulness of monitoring data for decision-making.

What types of stressors is the panel intended to help distinguish?

Based on the opportunity description, the panel is intended to help differentiate impacts consistent with stressors such as contaminant exposure, nutritional stress, disease processes, harmful algal bloom toxins, thermal stress, hypoxia, and other pressures that can co-occur.

Which species are specifically named as focal species?

The notice names California sea lions, sea otters, salmon, longfin smelt, mussels, and clams as focal species. These include marine mammals, finfish, and shellfish used as indicators of coastal and aquatic ecosystem health and considered high management concern in California.

Is the tool expected to apply only to one species group?

No. The named focal species span marine mammals, finfish, and shellfish, which suggests the gene expression panel is expected to be broadly applicable across different taxonomic groups and ecological settings, potentially supporting integrated monitoring across freshwater, estuarine, and coastal marine environments.

What practical outcomes or uses does USGS expect from this work?

The expected outputs are framed as actionable science products that can be used in real-world decision-making. Examples described in the notice include early warning capabilities for emerging threats, improved situational awareness during unusual mortality or decline events, and better targeting of restoration and recovery efforts.

How does this opportunity connect to Department of the Interior priorities?

The notice positions the work as a direct contribution to ecosystem resilience, restoration, public health preparedness, and scientific integrity priorities within the Department of the Interior and the current Administration.

Are any specific executive or secretarial orders referenced?

Yes. The notice explicitly links the work to Executive Order 14303, "Restoring Gold Standard Science" (dated May 23, 2025), and to Secretarial Order 3399, "Department-Wide Approach to the Climate Crisis and Data-Driven Decision-Making."

What do those referenced orders emphasize in relation to this project?

As described in the notice, Executive Order 14303 emphasizes rigorous, transparent, and high-quality science, while Secretarial Order 3399 underscores science that enables measurable, evidence-based management responses to climate and related stressors and supports data-driven decision-making.

What type of award is this?

This is a discretionary award using a cooperative agreement instrument.

What does it mean that the award instrument is a cooperative agreement?

The notice states that USGS anticipates substantial involvement in the project during performance, rather than providing funding with minimal federal engagement.

What is the activity category for this opportunity?

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

What is the assistance listing (CFDA) number?

The assistance listing is CFDA 15.808.

How much funding is available?

The total funding available is capped at $35,000 (award ceiling).

How many awards does USGS expect to make?

One award is expected.

What does a single, small award imply about project scope?

The notice indicates a small, focused project scope with a clearly defined deliverable, such as a refined gene expression panel, a validation framework, or a proof-of-concept dataset that can be integrated into existing monitoring programs.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to "others" who are participating partners of the Californian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU).

Is eligibility open to organizations outside the Californian CESU?

No. The notice describes eligibility as narrow and limited to participating partners of the Californian CESU.

Why is eligibility restricted to the Californian CESU?

The notice ties eligibility to the CESU program model, which is designed to leverage established partnerships to deliver research, technical assistance, and education that support federal land and resource management needs.

What is the opportunity number for this funding notice?

The opportunity number is G27AS00037.

When was this opportunity created?

The notice was created on October 14, 2026.

What is the application closing date?

The original application closing date is November 14, 2026.

Is USGS soliciting multiple proposals or a single proposal?

The notice states that USGS is soliciting a single cooperative agreement proposal from an eligible partner within the Californian CESU.