Opportunity Information: Apply for G20AS00014
The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Colorado Plateau CESU grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number G20AS00014) is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Alaska Science Center research award designed to help explain why two polar bear subpopulations are responding differently to broadly similar environmental change. The southern Beaufort Sea (SB) and Chukchi Sea (CS) polar bear groups have both experienced major sea ice loss, yet their population trajectories appear to diverge, with SB declining while CS has been more stable. USGS is looking for a project that goes beyond simple correlations between sea ice conditions and population trends by adding a physiological measure that can plausibly connect environmental stressors to survival and reproduction.
The central research focus is cortisol, a stress-related hormone, measured in polar bear hair (fur). Because hair can retain an integrated record of hormone exposure over time, the proposal aims to quantify cortisol concentrations that reflect stress accumulated during the previous year`s ice-free season. The intention is to treat hair cortisol as a retrospective indicator of physiological stress load and then evaluate how that physiological signal lines up with environmental conditions and individual-level biological outcomes.
A key part of the work is integrating multiple data streams to identify what factors are most likely driving population status. Applicants are expected to pair hair cortisol results with indices of sea ice conditions derived from remotely collected imagery, along with existing information on reproductive status and health. In practical terms, this means analyzing whether cortisol varies in predictable ways with metrics such as the length or severity of the ice-free season, and whether those cortisol patterns differ by reproductive state (for example, females with cubs versus without) or by measures of body condition and overall health. By comparing SB and CS bears under comparable sea ice loss scenarios, the study is intended to clarify why the populations may be responding differently and to help identify the mechanisms that link habitat change to vital rates like survival and recruitment.
USGS indicates it will support the effort by making available substantial existing resources, including roughly 30 years of polar bear capture data and remote sensing sea ice imagery. That long-term dataset is important because it allows cortisol measures to be interpreted in a broader ecological and demographic context rather than as a one-off snapshot. The overall vision is a study that explicitly connects physiology (stress as reflected in cortisol) to population outcomes, strengthening the scientific basis for explaining and potentially forecasting polar bear population responses to ongoing sea ice change.
Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity issued by the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, and it will be awarded as a cooperative agreement, reflecting an expectation of collaboration or substantial involvement by the agency. The opportunity falls under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category (CFDA 15.808). Eligibility is limited to CESU partners (listed in the notice as "Others" with clarification in the eligibility text). USGS anticipated making one award with a maximum funding amount (award ceiling) of $49,245. The opportunity was created on November 25, 2019, with an original closing date of December 10, 2019.Apply for G20AS00014
- The Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Colorado Plateau 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 Nov 25, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 10, 2019. (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 $49,245.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Colorado Plateau CESU grant opportunity, associated with Funding Opportunity Number (FON) G20AS00014.
Which federal agency is offering the award?
The award is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) within the Department of the Interior, specifically through the USGS Alaska Science Center.
What type of funding mechanism will be used?
The award will be made as a cooperative agreement. This implies an expectation of collaboration and/or substantial involvement by USGS in the funded work.
What is the purpose of the project being solicited?
The project is intended to help explain why two polar bear subpopulations appear to be responding differently to broadly similar environmental change, even though both have experienced major sea ice loss.
Which polar bear subpopulations are the focus of the research?
The research focuses on the southern Beaufort Sea (SB) and Chukchi Sea (CS) polar bear subpopulations.
What difference between the two subpopulations is motivating the study?
USGS notes that the SB population appears to be declining, while the CS population has been more stable, despite both experiencing major sea ice loss.
What is USGS asking applicants to do differently than a basic sea ice correlation study?
USGS is looking for a project that goes beyond simple correlations between sea ice conditions and population trends by incorporating a physiological measure that can plausibly connect environmental stressors to survival and reproduction.
What is the central physiological measure emphasized in this opportunity?
The central physiological measure is cortisol, a stress-related hormone, measured in polar bear hair (fur).
Why measure cortisol in hair rather than only using environmental indicators?
Hair can retain an integrated record of hormone exposure over time. In this project concept, hair cortisol is intended to reflect stress accumulated during the previous year's ice-free season, providing a retrospective indicator of physiological stress load.
What timeframe is hair cortisol expected to represent in this project?
The opportunity describes hair cortisol as reflecting stress accumulated during the previous year's ice-free season.
How is USGS expecting cortisol data to be used in the analysis?
The goal is to evaluate how the physiological signal (hair cortisol) lines up with environmental conditions and individual-level biological outcomes, strengthening the link between habitat change and vital rates such as survival and recruitment.
What other data sources are expected to be integrated with hair cortisol results?
Applicants are expected to pair hair cortisol results with indices of sea ice conditions derived from remotely collected imagery, along with existing information on reproductive status and health.
What kinds of sea ice metrics are mentioned as examples?
The notice gives examples such as the length or severity of the ice-free season, derived from remote sensing imagery.
What individual biological factors may be examined alongside cortisol?
The opportunity mentions comparing cortisol patterns by reproductive state (for example, females with cubs versus without) and by measures of body condition and overall health.
What is the intended comparative approach between the SB and CS populations?
The study is intended to compare SB and CS bears under comparable sea ice loss scenarios to clarify why population responses may differ and to identify mechanisms linking habitat change to population outcomes.
What outcomes or population processes is the study trying to connect to stress physiology?
The project aims to connect physiological stress (as reflected in cortisol) to vital rates and outcomes including survival, reproduction, and recruitment.
What existing resources will USGS provide or make available to support the work?
USGS indicates it will make available substantial existing resources, including roughly 30 years of polar bear capture data and remote sensing sea ice imagery.
Why is the long-term dataset important for this opportunity?
The long-term dataset allows cortisol measures to be interpreted in a broader ecological and demographic context, rather than being treated as a one-off snapshot.
How many awards does USGS anticipate making under this opportunity?
USGS anticipated making one award.
What is the maximum funding amount available?
The maximum funding amount (award ceiling) listed for the opportunity is $49,245.
What is the program or activity classification for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category and includes CFDA 15.808.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to CESU partners. The notice lists eligibility as "Others" with clarification in the eligibility text indicating CESU partners are the eligible applicants.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is G20AS00014.
When was the opportunity created, and what was the original closing date?
The opportunity was created on November 25, 2019, and the original closing date was December 10, 2019.
Is this a discretionary funding opportunity?
Yes. The notice describes this as a discretionary funding opportunity issued by the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.
What is the overall vision for the research project?
The overall vision is a study that explicitly connects physiology (stress as reflected in cortisol) to population outcomes, strengthening the scientific basis for explaining and potentially forecasting polar bear population responses to ongoing sea ice change.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: 2020-IFRP-PRODUCT-RFA
Previous opportunity: AIDS Education and Training Center National Clinician Consultation Center
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 G20AS00014
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (G20AS00014) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forests CESU Apply for G20AS00022 Funding Number: G20AS00022 Agency: Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $62,133 |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Piedmont South Atlantic Coast CESU Apply for G20AS00016 Funding Number: G20AS00016 Agency: Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $115,276 |
| Ephemeral Tributary Sediment Transport Measurement Apply for BOR DO 20 N002 Funding Number: BOR DO 20 N002 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $218,329 |
| Field Initiated Projects Program (Development) Apply for HHS 2020 ACL NIDILRR IFDV 0374 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACL NIDILRR IFDV 0374 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Field Initiated Projects Program (Research) Apply for HHS 2020 ACL NIDILRR IFRE 0373 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACL NIDILRR IFRE 0373 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| HERO Appendix D: NASA Human Research Program Omnibus Opportunity Apply for 80JSC019N0001 OMNIBUS2 Funding Number: 80JSC019N0001 OMNIBUS2 Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA Johnson Space Center Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| HERO Appendix C: Topics in Human Health Countermeasures, Behavioral Performance, and Space Radiation Apply for 80JSC019N0001 HHCBPSR Funding Number: 80JSC019N0001 HHCBPSR Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA Johnson Space Center Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,800,000 |
| EarthCube Apply for 20 520 Funding Number: 20 520 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| National Robotics Initiative 2.0: Ubiquitous Collaborative Robots Apply for 20 522 Funding Number: 20 522 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Computational Tool Development for Integrative Systems Biology Data Analysis Apply for DE FOA 0002217 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002217 Agency: Department of Energy - Office of Science, Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Commercial Technologies for Maintenance Activities (CTMA) Apply for HQ0034 20 FOA CTMA 0001 Funding Number: HQ0034 20 FOA CTMA 0001 Agency: Department of Defense Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $900,000,000 |
| Dimensions of Biodiversity Apply for 20 524 Funding Number: 20 524 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Petrology and Geochemistry Apply for 20 523 Funding Number: 20 523 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Program Apply for 20 526 Funding Number: 20 526 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Building EPSCoR-State/National Laboratory Partnerships Apply for DE FOA 0002215 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002215 Agency: Department of Energy - Office of Science, Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Diode Pumped Alkali Laser Physics Research Apply for USAFA BAA 2015 CALL 0010 Funding Number: USAFA BAA 2015 CALL 0010 Agency: Department of Defense, Air Force Academy Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $475,000 |
| NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase II Apply for 80HQTR20NOA01 20NIAC A2 Funding Number: 80HQTR20NOA01 20NIAC A2 Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC), Phase III Apply for 80HQTR20NOA01 20NIAC A3 Funding Number: 80HQTR20NOA01 20NIAC A3 Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| FY 2020 SBIR/STTR Phase I Release 2 Apply for DE FOA 0002146 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002146 Agency: Department of Energy - Office of Science, Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| RANGE EXTENDERS FOR ELECTRIC AVIATION WITH LOW CARBON AND HIGH EFFICIENCY (REEACH) Apply for DE FOA 0002240 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002240 Agency: Department of Energy, Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
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 "G20AS00014", 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.