Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Colorado Plateau CESU | G20AS00114

Opportunity Information: Apply for G20AS00114

This opportunity is a discretionary research and development grant offered by the Department of the Interior through the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), specifically the Southwest Biological Science Center (SBSC). It is issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network, within the Colorado Plateau CESU, and it is structured as a cooperative agreement. In practical terms, that means the USGS expects to have substantial involvement in the work as it proceeds, rather than simply issuing a hands-off grant.

The project focus is on understanding and improving post-fire recovery in pinyon-juniper ecosystems at Mesa Verde National Park, with an emphasis on the soil fungal communities that support plant establishment. The program is intended to do two connected things. First, it will apply genetic and molecular approaches to studying soil mycorrhizae, the beneficial fungi that form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, to determine how fire influences the ability of pinyon and juniper to regenerate. Second, it will use newer mycorrhizal restoration tools to test restoration strategies that could increase pinyon-juniper recruitment and improve the success of planting efforts after fire. The underlying idea is that post-fire conditions may disrupt soil microbial and fungal networks that young trees depend on, and that understanding those changes (and potentially repairing them) could lead to better restoration outcomes.

Eligibility is limited to partners within the CESU program (the listing notes "Others" with clarification in the eligibility text field, which in CESU announcements typically means CESU member institutions are the intended applicants). Only one award is anticipated, with an expected maximum (award ceiling) of $100,000. The funding is associated with CFDA number 15.808, which corresponds to USGS research assistance.

Key administrative details include the funding opportunity number G20AS00114, a creation/posting date of June 30, 2020, and an original application closing date of July 22, 2020. Overall, the grant is aimed at building capacity and generating applied, management-relevant science for Mesa Verde National Park by linking fire ecology, soil mycorrhizal genetics, and restoration experimentation to improve pinyon-juniper recovery after wildfire.

• The Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Colorado Plateau CESU" 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 Jun 30, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 22, 2020. (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 $100,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for G20AS00114

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