Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) | G23AS00353

Opportunity Information: Apply for G23AS00353

This grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number G23AS00353) is a discretionary cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), specifically through the Southwest Biological Science Center (SBSC). The project is framed as part of the Minute 323 Science Team effort and focuses on scientific research in the Colorado River Delta in Mexico. The core work involves using remote sensing to evaluate changes in vegetation "greenness" and vegetation water use, which are key indicators for understanding ecosystem response, habitat condition, and restoration outcomes in the delta.

The scientific and policy backdrop for the work is the long-running U.S.-Mexico water governance structure established under the 1944 United States-Mexico Treaty. Within that framework, "Minutes" are supplementary agreements that guide specific actions and commitments. This opportunity ties directly to Minute 323, which continues and supports the science, monitoring, and assessment of delta ecosystems following efforts initiated under Minute 319. Minute 319 is highlighted because it enabled a major environmental pulse flow experiment: in 2014, water was intentionally released into a typically dry section of the lower Colorado River channel to inundate portions of the active channel and adjacent floodplain. That pulse flow was designed to jump-start ecological restoration and habitat development in the modern delta, and it drew substantial attention from both the scientific community and the broader public. The Department of the Interior and USGS invested heavily to prepare for the event, monitor its effects, and communicate results, and Minute 323 represents the continuation of this longer-term restoration and monitoring trajectory after Minute 319 concluded.

From a funding and administrative standpoint, the award mechanism is a cooperative agreement, which generally signals that USGS expects substantial involvement during the project (for example, collaboration on study design, data coordination, reporting, or integration into the broader Minute 323 Science Team deliverables). The activity category is listed as Science and Technology and other Research and Development, and the associated CFDA number is 15.808. The opportunity was created on April 28, 2023, with an original application closing date of June 23, 2023. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $71,798, and the posting indicates an expectation of a limited number of awards (the listing shows "ExpectedAwards:" without a specified number).

Eligibility is narrowly defined: applicants must be a participating partner in the Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU). CESUs are structured partnerships that connect federal agencies with universities, tribes, and other research or nonprofit organizations to deliver research, technical assistance, and education aligned with public land and natural resource priorities. In this case, only organizations already affiliated as Desert Southwest CESU partners are eligible to receive this cooperative agreement, reflecting CESU's purpose as a pre-established collaboration framework for applied science and resource management support.

• 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 Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (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 2023-04-28.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-06-23. (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 $71,798.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for G23AS00353

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