Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Alaska Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G24AS00260

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is a US Geological Survey (USGS) discretionary cooperative agreement under Funding Opportunity Number G24AS00260 (CFDA 15.808). It supports research on Alaska seabirds, focusing on how seabird health is shaped by the combined influence of pathogens (including zoonotic and wildlife pathogens), the broader microbiome, and environmental stressors.

Which agency is offering the award?

The award is offered by the US Geological Survey (USGS).

What type of award is being offered: grant or cooperative agreement?

The award instrument is a cooperative agreement, not a standard grant. This typically signals substantial federal involvement during the project, such as collaboration on study design refinement, coordination of field efforts, data integration, interpretation, and/or dissemination of findings.

What program framework is this opportunity issued under?

The opportunity is issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) framework, which connects federal agencies with a network of university, nonprofit, and other research partners to deliver applied science, technical support, and education.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to organizations that are official partners in the Alaska Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (Alaska CESU). Because this is a CESU award, applicants must be Alaska CESU partner organizations.

Is eligibility open to all universities, nonprofits, or research organizations?

No. Even though CESU networks include universities, nonprofits, and other research partners, this specific opportunity limits eligibility to official Alaska CESU partner organizations.

What is the main scientific focus of the project?

The main goal is to improve understanding of how zoonotic and wildlife pathogens interact with the full seabird microbiota across multiple biological domains, and how those interactions change under different environmental conditions.

What does "microbiome across multiple biological domains" mean in this context?

In this opportunity, USGS emphasizes studying microbiome members that include bacteria and other prokaryotes, eukaryotic microbes, and viruses, alongside zoonotic or wildlife pathogens. The intent is an integrated view of the full seabird microbiota rather than a single group of organisms.

Why does the opportunity emphasize zoonotic pathogens?

The emphasis suggests interest in findings that can inform broader wildlife and public health awareness, especially where seabird pathogens may overlap with risks to other animals or people.

What kinds of environmental stressors are relevant to the proposed research?

The opportunity highlights stressors such as changing climate conditions, prey availability, contaminants, and other ecological pressures that can affect seabird physiology and immune function. Proposals are expected to examine how these stressors relate to disease susceptibility or resilience through microbiome and pathogen interactions.

What are the major technical components USGS is looking for?

The opportunity highlights two major technical components: (1) shotgun metatranscriptomic analyses and other "omics" approaches to characterize interactions among microbiome members and pathogens, and (2) field-based and laboratory comparative studies that evaluate how environmental factors influence seabird physiology, immune performance, and overall health.

What is shotgun metatranscriptomics, and why is it important here?

Metatranscriptomics focuses on RNA, providing insight into which organisms and genes are actively functioning at the time of sampling, not just which organisms are present. USGS is specifically calling for shotgun metatranscriptomic analyses to better understand functional microbiome-pathogen dynamics linked to seabird health.

Does USGS allow methods beyond metatranscriptomics?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly references "other omics" approaches, indicating openness to complementary methods that strengthen interpretation of microbial community structure, pathogen dynamics, and host responses. Examples mentioned include metagenomics, targeted pathogen screening, host transcriptomics, proteomics, or metabolomics.

What does USGS mean by "comparative studies" in field and lab settings?

The comparative aspect implies study designs that look across conditions, sites, seasons, species, or exposure gradients. The goal is to connect real-world sampling in Alaska seabird habitats with controlled or comparative laboratory analyses to move beyond detection and toward understanding mechanisms and drivers of health change.

Is this opportunity focused on detection of pathogens only?

No. While pathogen detection is part of the work, the stated emphasis is on understanding interactions (pathogens plus the broader microbiome) and how environmental stressors influence physiology, immune function, and overall health. The intent is mechanistic and explanatory, not just presence/absence reporting.

How many awards does USGS expect to make?

The opportunity indicates one expected award.

What is the maximum award amount?

The listed award ceiling is $100,000.

Is this intended to be a large multi-institution program?

No. With one expected award and a $100,000 ceiling, this is described as a relatively targeted project rather than a large multi-institution program.

What is the timeline shown in the posting?

The posting was created on 2024-02-12, and the original closing date is 2024-03-12.

What kinds of outcomes is USGS aiming to achieve with this project?

The expected outcome is a clearer, more integrated picture of how pathogens, microbiome activity, and environmental stressors interact to shape Alaska seabird health. The opportunity notes relevance to wildlife management, ecosystem monitoring, and potential zoonotic risk awareness.

How might USGS be involved during the project?

Because the instrument is a cooperative agreement and the work is within the CESU context, USGS scientists and program staff may collaborate on study design refinement, coordinate field efforts, support data integration, contribute to interpretation, and/or help disseminate findings.

Does the opportunity specify the geographic focus?

Yes. The research focus is Alaska seabirds and sampling in Alaska seabird habitats.

What does "discretionary" mean in this context?

The opportunity is described as a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning USGS is offering this support through its discretionary funding authority for a targeted research need rather than through an entitlement or formula-based program.