Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G21AS00577

Opportunity Information: Apply for G21AS00577

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), through its MD-DE-DC Water Science Center, is offering a discretionary funding opportunity to support research focused on environmental contaminants, specifically per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and key wastewater-related constituents. The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the recipient is expected to work closely with USGS staff rather than operating entirely independently. The overall purpose is to generate high-quality chemical analysis data from environmental and experimental samples and to use those results in collaboration with USGS to better understand where these contaminants occur, how they move, and what happens to them over time across a range of real-world settings.

A central emphasis of the opportunity is laboratory and analytical capability. The funded partner would be expected to provide chemical analyses for PFAS and wastewater constituents, which typically involves trace-level detection, strict contamination control, and robust quality assurance and quality control practices. While the specific analytes and methods are not spelled out in the summary text provided, the intent is clear: USGS is looking for a capable research partner who can produce defensible analytical results that can be interpreted alongside hydrologic and geochemical information to clarify contaminant sources, transport pathways, and fate processes.

The research scope is broad in terms of environments and infrastructure. USGS highlights diverse hydrogeologic environments and systems where PFAS and wastewater constituents may be present or transformed, including coastal watersheds, shallow soils and sediments, groundwater systems, and wastewater treatment facilities. This suggests the work may involve sampling and analysis across multiple matrices (for example, water, sediment, soil, or treatment-related samples) and across gradients such as freshwater to coastal settings. The inclusion of both natural settings (watersheds, soils, groundwater) and built systems (wastewater treatment facilities) indicates an interest in understanding both environmental occurrence and the influence of human infrastructure on contaminant distribution and persistence.

This opportunity is issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program, which is designed to facilitate research, technical assistance, and education through established partnerships. Eligibility is restricted: applicants must be active participating partners of the Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit. In practical terms, this means only organizations already affiliated with that CESU network can apply, and the project is expected to align with the CESU model of collaborative research support for federal science and management needs.

From the published funding details, the opportunity number is G21AS00577 and the assistance listing is tied to CFDA 15.808. The maximum funding amount listed (award ceiling) is $188,250. The posting was created on June 30, 2021, and the original closing date for applications was July 30, 2021. The funding activity category is classified under Science and Technology and other Research and Development, reinforcing that this is primarily a research and analytical science effort rather than infrastructure or service delivery. The listing does not specify the number of expected awards in the provided text, but it does indicate an anticipated award structure consistent with a single collaborative project or a small number of projects supporting the USGS Water Science Center needs.

In essence, this grant is aimed at a Chesapeake Watershed CESU partner with strong contaminant analytical expertise and the ability to collaborate closely with USGS on interpreting results. The expected outcome is improved understanding of PFAS and wastewater-constituent occurrence and fate across coastal and inland hydrologic settings, shallow subsurface environments, groundwater, and wastewater treatment contexts, supported by rigorous chemical data that USGS can integrate into broader water-quality and contaminant-transport investigations.

• 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 2021-06-30.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-07-30. (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 $188,250.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for G21AS00577

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