Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Rocky Mountains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G22AS00349

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity about?

This opportunity supports applied research and modeling to forecast the risk that Goose/Guangdong lineage highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) could be introduced into North America and, more specifically, threaten domestic poultry production in the United States. The project aims to turn ecological and surveillance information into real-time or near-real-time risk forecasts.

Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is offering this discretionary cooperative agreement funding opportunity.

What is the main scientific idea behind the project?

The work is based on the idea that migratory birds can travel long distances across continents and may help disperse disease-causing viruses. By understanding migration dynamics and combining that information with existing avian influenza surveillance and research in wild birds, the project seeks to identify when and where the risk of introduction and spread is highest.

What specific avian influenza lineage is the project focused on?

The project focuses on Goose/Guangdong lineage highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), with an emphasis on foreign-origin strains from Asia that could arrive in North America.

What type of work is being funded?

The opportunity funds applied research and modeling, with an emphasis on dynamic avian migration models used as an early-warning and decision-support tool for estimating relative risk across time and space.

What are "dynamic avian migration models" in this context?

In this project context, dynamic avian migration models are modeling approaches intended to represent changes in migratory bird movement patterns over time and geography. They are used to estimate relative risk and help anticipate periods and locations where introduction of foreign-origin avian influenza strains may be most likely.

What datasets or information sources will the project use?

The proposed work would synthesize and expand upon existing datasets related to avian influenza occurrence in wild bird populations, along with movement data for migratory species.

What is the expected outcome or deliverable of the research?

The desired outcome is a forecasting framework that produces place- and time-specific probabilities of viral occurrence in wild birds, particularly in or near poultry-producing regions of the United States.

How will the results be used in practice?

The forecasts are intended to serve as an early-warning and decision-support capability. By translating ecological and epidemiological signals into risk estimates, the outputs are designed to support better-timed surveillance, preparedness, and mitigation measures.

Who is expected to benefit from the forecasting framework?

The project is designed to provide actionable information to wildlife and animal health management agencies as well as domestic poultry operations, especially where improved timing and targeting of surveillance and preparedness can reduce risk.

What is the funding instrument type?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.

What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement typically indicates the federal agency expects to have substantial involvement during the project. As described in the opportunity summary, this may include collaboration on project direction, methods, deliverables, and/or coordination with related agency efforts.

What program is this opportunity issued under?

This opportunity is issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program, which is structured to facilitate collaborative research, technical assistance, and education through partnerships.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to applicants that are active participants in the Rocky Mountains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network. The opportunity is specifically for a partner organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountains CESU.

Is this opportunity open to organizations outside the Rocky Mountains CESU network?

Based on the information provided, no. Because this is a CESU cooperative agreement, only active participants in the Rocky Mountains CESU network are eligible.

What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The opportunity falls under the "Science and Technology and other Research and Development" activity category.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 15.808.

What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is G22AS00349.

What is the maximum funding amount available?

The stated award ceiling is $145,000.

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on 2022-05-05.

What was the original closing date?

The original closing date was 2022-06-07.

What geographic scope does the project address?

The project focuses on risk of introduction into North America and, more specifically, the potential threats to domestic poultry production in the United States, with emphasis on identifying risk in or near poultry-producing regions.

Does the project focus on wild birds, domestic poultry, or both?

The forecasting framework focuses on probabilities of viral occurrence in wild birds, with the goal of informing protection and preparedness for domestic poultry systems in the United States.

What kind of forecasting timeline is envisioned?

The project aims to produce real-time or near-real-time forecasts identifying when and where likelihood of viral introduction and spread is highest.

What is the broader purpose of funding this work?

The broader aim is to improve forecasting capacity for HPAI risk to U.S. poultry systems by integrating migration dynamics with existing avian influenza surveillance and research, enabling more informed decision-making for surveillance and mitigation.