Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G22AS00152

Opportunity Information: Apply for G22AS00152

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is offering a discretionary financial assistance opportunity in the form of a cooperative agreement to support ecophysiological research focused on how wetlands respond to major global change pressures. The work is centered on understanding how factors such as sea level rise, climate change, and shifting hydrological conditions influence wetland function, plant health, and broader ecosystem stability. A key theme of the opportunity is to strengthen the scientific basis for predicting wetland change by expanding insight into ecophysiological processes, meaning the biological and physiological responses of wetland organisms (especially plants) to environmental stressors.

The initial research phase is specifically framed around investigating bald cypress decline at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (often abbreviated as JELA). This implies a targeted study aimed at identifying the physiological stress mechanisms and environmental drivers contributing to declining condition or mortality in bald cypress within that park setting. Because bald cypress is a foundational wetland tree species in the Gulf Coast region, the results can inform both site-specific management decisions at JELA and broader regional understanding of forested wetland vulnerability under rising seas, salinity intrusion, altered flooding regimes, heat stress, and related stressors.

This award is designed as a partnership-driven project under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program, specifically tied to the Gulf Coast CESU. CESUs are structured collaborations that connect federal agencies with universities and other partners to deliver research, technical assistance, and education that support public resource management. In practical terms, this opportunity is not a typical standalone grant where a recipient works independently; it is a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates substantial involvement from the federal scientific team in planning, coordination, and execution. Here, the CESU partner is expected not only to conduct research but also to co-develop future studies alongside principal investigators at the USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center (WARC). The emphasis on co-development signals that USGS is seeking an ongoing, collaborative relationship that can extend beyond the initial bald cypress project into additional wetland global-change investigations.

USGS WARC is highlighted as having multiple ongoing field, laboratory, and greenhouse studies focused on wetland responses to global change drivers. The stated purpose of bringing in a CESU-affiliated university collaborator is to broaden and deepen the ecophysiological component of that overall research portfolio. In other words, WARC already has an active pipeline of experimental and observational work, and this funding opportunity aims to add complementary expertise and capacity from an academic partner, particularly in areas such as plant stress physiology, water and salt relations, growth and carbon allocation, tolerance thresholds, and other mechanisms that explain why wetlands change under environmental pressure.

Eligibility is limited: applicants must be participating partners of the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit. The sponsoring agency is the USGS (Department of the Interior), and the assistance listing is associated with CFDA/Assistance Listing number 15.808. The funding opportunity number is G22AS00152, and the activity category is classified as Science and Technology and other Research and Development. The posted award ceiling is $250,000. The opportunity was originally announced on 2022-01-07 with an original closing date of 2022-02-07.

• 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 Gulf Coast 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 2022-01-07.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-02-07. (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 $250,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for G22AS00152

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: