Opportunity Information: Apply for G23AS00049
This grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number G23AS00049) is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) cooperative agreement offered through the Wetland and Aquatic Research Center (WARC). It is issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program and is specifically limited to eligible partners within the Chesapeake Watershed CESU network. The overall purpose is to fund science and technology research that strengthens conservation decision-making by applying radar ornithology, especially weather surveillance radar (WSR), to questions about flying animals and human infrastructure.
The core research need is to estimate avifauna (and more broadly, flying animal) densities detected by WSR in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, with a particular focus on conditions along the US-Mexico border. The work is framed around understanding how border fence or wall design, and the lighting associated with that infrastructure, relate to the presence, movement, and density of birds and other aerial wildlife. Because WSR can capture broad-scale movement patterns over time, the project is positioned to evaluate responses both before and after construction, which supports stronger inference about how development changes animal behavior and distribution rather than relying on single time-period snapshots.
A major emphasis is combining radar-based observations with complementary field methods when needed. The opportunity explicitly mentions approaches such as bird banding, on-the-ground surveys, and portable radar to supplement WSR data. That combination is intended to improve the biological interpretation of radar signals, strengthen estimates of density, and help translate remote-sensing patterns into information managers can act on. In practice, this kind of integrated design can help confirm what species or groups are contributing to radar detections, validate radar-derived density estimates, and connect animal movements to local habitat and lighting conditions.
The expected deliverable direction is not just academic results, but spatially explicit decision support tools. The project is meant to feed into mapping products or analytical tools that can guide management partners as they plan and implement border wall mitigation, habitat acquisition, habitat restoration, and other conservation actions targeted at flying animals. By quantifying where and when aerial wildlife activity is highest, and how it changes with infrastructure and night lighting, the resulting tools can help prioritize areas for protection, mitigation measures, or alternative design and lighting strategies.
USGS notes that recent work by WARC scientists and collaborators has already demonstrated that WSR and field methods can support management and conservation needs across multiple spatial and temporal scales. This opportunity is presented as the next step: expanding the application and conservation value of WSR by pushing further into questions that managers need answered, especially those involving human development and artificial light at night. Collaboration with CESU scientists is also described as a way to bring a more fundamental, decision-focused perspective to the research, ensuring the study addresses real management choices and produces outputs that fit partner planning processes.
Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement mechanism, indicating substantial involvement and collaboration with USGS during the project rather than a hands-off grant. The activity falls under Science and Technology and other Research and Development (CFDA 15.808). The listed award ceiling is $499,999. The opportunity was created on 2022-10-13, with an original closing date of 2022-11-28. Eligibility is restricted to participating partners of the Chesapeake Watershed CESU Program, even though the field study focus is in Texas, reflecting how CESU networks are used as partnership and contracting pathways for collaborative federal research.Apply for G23AS00049
- 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 Chesapeake Watershed 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 2022-10-13.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-11-28. (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 $499,999.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the funding opportunity number for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is G23AS00049.
Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
Which USGS center is administering or sponsoring the work?
The opportunity is offered through the USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center (WARC).
What type of award mechanism is being used?
The opportunity uses a cooperative agreement, meaning USGS expects substantial involvement and collaboration during the project (rather than a fully independent, hands-off award).
Is this a discretionary funding opportunity?
Yes. The opportunity is described as a discretionary funding opportunity.
What program is this issued under?
It is issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to participating partners within the Chesapeake Watershed CESU network.
Does eligibility depend on being located in Texas?
No. Even though the research focus is in Texas, eligibility is restricted to Chesapeake Watershed CESU Program partners, reflecting that CESU networks serve as partnership and contracting pathways for collaborative federal research.
What is the overall purpose of the award?
The purpose is to fund science and technology research that strengthens conservation decision-making by applying radar ornithology, especially weather surveillance radar (WSR), to questions about flying animals and human infrastructure.
What is the main research need identified in the announcement?
The core need is to estimate avifauna (and more broadly, flying animal) densities detected by WSR in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, with particular attention to conditions along the US-Mexico border.
What geographic area is emphasized for the research?
The work focuses on the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, especially areas along the US-Mexico border.
What kinds of animals are included in the project scope?
The scope includes birds (avifauna) and, more broadly, flying animals/aerial wildlife detectable by weather surveillance radar.
How does border infrastructure factor into the research questions?
The research is framed around understanding how border fence or wall design and the lighting associated with that infrastructure relate to the presence, movement, and density of birds and other aerial wildlife.
Why use weather surveillance radar (WSR) for this work?
WSR can capture broad-scale movement patterns over time. This makes it possible to evaluate responses before and after construction, supporting stronger inference about how development changes animal behavior and distribution compared with single time-period snapshots.
Is the project expected to evaluate conditions before and after construction?
Yes. The opportunity highlights the value of WSR for assessing patterns both before and after construction, which can help distinguish infrastructure-related change from short-term variation.
Are applicants expected to use only radar data?
No. A major emphasis is on combining radar-based observations with complementary field methods when needed to improve biological interpretation and strengthen density estimates.
What field methods are explicitly mentioned as possible complements to WSR?
The opportunity explicitly mentions bird banding, on-the-ground surveys, and portable radar as examples of methods that may supplement WSR data.
Why does the opportunity encourage combining WSR with field methods?
Combining methods is intended to improve the biological interpretation of radar signals, help confirm what species or groups contribute to detections, validate radar-derived density estimates, and connect movement patterns to local habitat and lighting conditions.
What kinds of outputs or deliverables are expected?
The direction emphasizes spatially explicit decision support tools, such as mapping products or analytical tools that management partners can use for conservation planning and implementation.
What management decisions should the deliverables support?
The tools are intended to guide partners as they plan and implement border wall mitigation, habitat acquisition, habitat restoration, and other conservation actions targeted at flying animals.
How could night lighting be addressed in the project?
The opportunity specifically points to understanding how night lighting associated with border infrastructure relates to aerial wildlife presence, movement, and density, and to producing outputs that can inform alternative design and lighting strategies.
How is this opportunity positioned relative to prior USGS work?
USGS notes that recent WARC work has shown WSR and field methods can support management and conservation needs across multiple spatial and temporal scales. This opportunity is framed as the next step to expand the conservation value of WSR, especially for questions involving development and artificial light at night.
What role does collaboration play in this cooperative agreement?
Collaboration with CESU scientists is described as a way to bring a more fundamental, decision-focused perspective, ensuring the study addresses real management choices and produces outputs that fit partner planning processes. The cooperative agreement mechanism also indicates active collaboration with USGS during the project.
What is the CFDA (assistance listing) number and program area?
The activity falls under Science and Technology and other Research and Development with CFDA (assistance listing) 15.808.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The listed award ceiling is $499,999.
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2022-10-13.
What was the original application closing date?
The original closing date was 2022-11-28.
Does the announcement indicate that the goal is purely academic publication?
No. The deliverable direction emphasizes decision-ready outputs, particularly spatially explicit decision support tools, rather than academic results alone.
What conservation outcomes is the research intended to improve?
By quantifying where and when aerial wildlife activity is highest and how it changes with infrastructure and lighting, the work is intended to help partners prioritize areas for protection, target mitigation, and inform restoration or design choices.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: FY23 IIJA Bureau of Land Management Eastern Sates (ES) Cultural and Paleontological Resource Management
Previous opportunity: OIA Maintenance Assistance Program 2023
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for G23AS00049
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (G23AS00049) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Apply for G23AS00053 Funding Number: G23AS00053 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $497,000 |
| Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Great Plains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Apply for G23AS00048 Funding Number: G23AS00048 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $499,999 |
| Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Great Lakes-Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Apply for G23AS00054 Funding Number: G23AS00054 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $495,000 |
| Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Apply for G23AS00047 Funding Number: G23AS00047 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $90,000 |
| Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Directorate for STEM Education Apply for 23 510 Funding Number: 23 510 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Atmospheric System Research (ASR) Apply for DE FOA 0002850 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002850 Agency: Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $945,000 |
| FY2023 Development Innovation Ventures Annual Program Statement (APS) Apply for 7200AA23APS00001 Funding Number: 7200AA23APS00001 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $15,000,000 |
| Environmental System Science Apply for DE FOA 0002849 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002849 Agency: Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Young Faculty Award (YFA) Apply for DARPA RA 23 01 Funding Number: DARPA RA 23 01 Agency: DARPA - Defense Sciences Office Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The State Component of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program Apply for G23AS00050 Funding Number: G23AS00050 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Autonomous Optimization and Control of Accelerators and Detectors Apply for DE FOA 0002875 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002875 Agency: Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Piedmont - South Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Apply for G23AS00055 Funding Number: G23AS00055 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Apply for G23AS00071 Funding Number: G23AS00071 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $226,000 |
| Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Apply for G23AS00072 Funding Number: G23AS00072 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $181,522 |
| Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Apply for G23AS00070 Funding Number: G23AS00070 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Apply for G23AS00074 Funding Number: G23AS00074 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $33,800 |
| Educational Component of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program Apply for G23AS00051 Funding Number: G23AS00051 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Early Career Research Program Apply for DE FOA 0002821 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002821 Agency: Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $875,000 |
| Supporting the use of Real-World Data to Generate Real-World Evidence in Regulatory Decision-Making (U01) Clinical Trials Optional Apply for RFA FD 23 025 Funding Number: RFA FD 23 025 Agency: Food and Drug Administration Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $6,750,000 |
| Strengthening the Cyberinfrastructure Professionals Ecosystem (SCIPE) Apply for 23 521 Funding Number: 23 521 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "G23AS00049", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.