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

Opportunity Information: Apply for G22AS00349

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is offering a discretionary cooperative agreement funding opportunity for a partner organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU). The project focuses on 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, pose threats to domestic poultry production in the United States. The central idea behind the work is that migratory birds can move long distances across continents and, in doing so, can help disperse disease-causing viruses. By better understanding bird migration dynamics and combining that information with existing surveillance and research on avian influenza in wild birds, the project aims to produce real-time or near-real-time forecasts that identify when and where the likelihood of viral introduction and spread is highest.

The proposed work emphasizes the use of dynamic avian migration models as an early-warning and decision-support tool. These models are intended to estimate relative risk over time and space, helping managers anticipate periods and locations where foreign-origin avian influenza strains from Asia may be most likely to arrive in North America. In practice, the research would synthesize and expand upon existing datasets related to avian influenza occurrence in wild bird populations, along with movement data for migratory species. The outcome sought 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 U.S. By translating ecological and epidemiological signals into risk estimates, the project is designed to provide actionable information to wildlife and animal health management agencies as well as domestic poultry operations, supporting better-timed surveillance, preparedness, and mitigation measures.

Administratively, this opportunity is issued under the CESU Program, which is structured to facilitate collaborative research, technical assistance, and education through partnerships. Because it is a CESU cooperative agreement, eligibility is limited: applicants must be active participants in the Rocky Mountains CESU network. The funding instrument type is explicitly a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates that the federal agency expects to have substantial involvement during the project, such as collaboration on project direction, methods, deliverables, or coordination with related agency efforts. The opportunity falls under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category, and it is listed under CFDA number 15.808. The opportunity number is G22AS00349, it was created on 2022-05-05, and the original closing date was 2022-06-07. The stated award ceiling is $145,000, and the funding is intended to support the research activities described, with the broader aim of improving forecasting capacity for HPAI risk to U.S. poultry systems.

• 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 Rocky Mountains 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 2022-05-05.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-06-07. (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 $145,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for G22AS00349

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