Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G24AS00343

Opportunity Information: Apply for G24AS00343

The US Geological Survey (USGS) is soliciting a cooperative agreement proposal under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) framework specifically for an eligible partner within the Pacific Northwest CESU. The opportunity is focused on advancing applied research that helps communities and decision-makers better understand and prepare for future flood hazards in a changing climate, with geographic emphasis on the Pacific Northwest, including Puget Sound and the outer Pacific coast. Because it is issued as a cooperative agreement (rather than a standard grant), the work is expected to be carried out with substantial involvement from USGS staff, including ongoing coordination, shared planning, and alignment with USGS program needs.

The core technical goal is to develop and apply modeling that supports assessments of future flood hazards and climate adaptation. In practice, this implies research that can translate climate and coastal drivers into usable projections of flooding conditions, likely integrating coastal processes and other hazard components relevant to the region. The modeling component is not framed as purely academic; it is positioned as decision-support science tied to real-world adaptation needs in coastal and near-coastal settings.

A second major objective is stakeholder engagement, particularly through collaboration with USGS efforts such as CoSMoS (Coastal Storm Modeling System) and Cascadia CoPes. The opportunity emphasizes using shared networks and partners to strengthen engagement, which suggests the recipient should be prepared to work across agencies, local and Tribal governments, practitioners, and other regional collaborators to ensure that the science products are informed by user needs and are more likely to be adopted in planning and preparedness contexts.

The agreement also explicitly expects publication-oriented outcomes, including co-authoring peer-reviewed journal articles. This signals that USGS is looking for scientifically rigorous methods and results that can be documented and vetted through the academic literature, ideally with joint authorship and integrated contributions between the CESU partner and USGS scientists.

In addition to research and engagement deliverables, the recipient is expected to participate in recurring coordination with the USGS Climate Impacts and Coastal Processes Team. These meetings are intended to help build shared conceptual frameworks, align on research priorities, and coordinate strategies across related efforts. This reinforces the cooperative nature of the award: the work plan is likely to evolve through close interaction with USGS, and success will depend on consistent communication and integration with the team’s broader portfolio.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number G24AS00343) in the Science and Technology / Research and Development activity area (CFDA 15.808). The award ceiling is up to $900,000. The original closing date listed is May 13, 2024, and the notice was created on April 11, 2024. Eligibility is limited: applicants must be active participating partners of the Pacific Northwest CESU Program, reflecting the CESU model in which pre-established partner networks support research, technical assistance, and education in collaboration with federal agencies.

• 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 Pacific Northwest 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 2024-04-11.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-05-13. (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 $900,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for G24AS00343

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