Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G23AS00371

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity about?

This opportunity is a US Geological Survey (USGS) cooperative agreement intended to strengthen the National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) capacity to study chronic wasting disease (CWD) in cervids through controlled transmission experiments. The practical emphasis is on building dependable cervid research models that can be used in laboratory settings to study CWD transmission, disease progression over time, and the biological mechanisms involved.

Which federal agency is offering the award?

The award is offered by the US Geological Survey (USGS) and is focused on supporting work that benefits the National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC).

Is this a standard grant or a cooperative agreement?

This is a cooperative agreement under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) program, not a standard grant. That structure typically means the federal agency will have substantial involvement during the period of performance, with coordination and shared responsibility for meeting project goals.

What is the primary research topic being supported?

The supported research topic is chronic wasting disease (CWD) in cervids, specifically using controlled transmission experiments and laboratory-suitable animal models to improve understanding of spread, long-term effects, and disease mechanisms.

What animal species is specifically requested for this project?

The opportunity centers on providing purpose-bred white-tailed deer for laboratory research related to CWD.

How many deer are applicants expected to provide?

Applications are expected to provide at least ten white-tailed deer that are suitable for laboratory research and habituated to human presence.

What does "purpose-bred" mean in the context of this opportunity?

In this context, "purpose-bred" indicates deer that are bred specifically for research use, with known histories and more predictable characteristics. The description emphasizes this approach rather than using wild-caught animals, to reduce unknown exposures, prior health issues, and stress-related variability that could affect study outcomes.

Why does the opportunity emphasize deer habituated to human presence?

Habituation is emphasized because it reduces stress, supports animal welfare, and makes routine handling and study procedures safer and more consistent for both staff and animals. This also supports more reliable and repeatable research outcomes.

What kind of work is the award trying to enable at NWHC?

The award is aimed at building foundational capacity for rigorous CWD research at NWHC, particularly the animal-model and husbandry components needed to run controlled transmission experiments in laboratory settings.

What capabilities are applicants expected to demonstrate?

Based on the description, applicants are expected to contribute both the animals (at least ten purpose-bred, human-habituated white-tailed deer) and specialized knowledge needed to manage them. The opportunity highlights that high-quality animal models and sound husbandry are central to producing reliable, ethical, and repeatable research outcomes.

What is the CESU program and how does it relate to this award?

The award is offered under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) program, which is designed to support research, technical assistance, and education through partnerships. For this opportunity, the specific CESU connection is the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to organizations that are official, participating partners in the Gulf Coast CESU program. While the listing categorizes eligible applicants as "Others," the description narrows eligibility through the Gulf Coast CESU partner requirement.

Is this opportunity open to organizations that are not Gulf Coast CESU partners?

No. The description states that only official, participating partners in the Gulf Coast CESU program can apply.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is G23AS00371.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 15.808.

What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling (maximum award amount) is $400,000.

What type of award is this considered (administratively)?

The opportunity is listed as a discretionary award and is categorized under science and technology / research and development.

When was the notice created?

The notice was created on May 17, 2023.

What was the application closing date listed in the notice?

The original application closing date was June 19, 2023.

Does the notice say how many awards will be made?

The notice references "expected awards," but the provided text does not include a specific number of awards to anticipate.

What makes this opportunity different from broader CWD research funding?

This opportunity is targeted specifically at strengthening NWHC capacity for controlled CWD transmission experiments by ensuring access to dependable laboratory cervid research models and the husbandry expertise to manage them, rather than broadly funding unrelated CWD activities.

What is the practical deliverable emphasized in the opportunity description?

The central practical deliverable described is the delivery and management of at least ten purpose-bred, human-habituated white-tailed deer suitable for controlled laboratory studies of CWD.