Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units | F17AS00241

Opportunity Information: Apply for F17AS00241

The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F17AS00241) is a discretionary funding announcement from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). It is offered as a cooperative agreement, which generally means the federal agency expects to be substantially involved in the project during performance (for example, through collaboration on methods, coordination, or oversight), rather than simply issuing a hands-off grant. The program sits in the Natural Resources funding activity category and is listed under CFDA 15.678, reflecting its placement within DOI/FWS assistance programs that support science, technical assistance, and related conservation work carried out with partner institutions.

The legal authorities cited in the notice show the conservation and wildlife management scope the project is meant to support. These include the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (which emphasizes integrating fish and wildlife conservation into water-resource development), the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act (supporting conservation and recreation resources), the Endangered Species Act (protecting threatened and endangered species and their habitats), the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (broad authorities for conserving and managing fish and wildlife resources), the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (protecting migratory birds), and the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (discouraging development that can harm coastal barrier ecosystems). Taken together, these statutes signal that the work funded under this opportunity is expected to contribute to applied conservation, species and habitat protection, and ecosystem management priorities that align with FWS responsibilities.

Eligibility is limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. In practical terms, that means state universities and similar public higher-ed entities are the intended applicants, consistent with how CESU partnerships often function as collaborative networks between federal agencies and academic institutions. This particular notice is explicitly described as a “Notice of Intent to Single Source to the University of New Mexico,” which indicates the agency planned to make a noncompetitive award to that institution rather than run an open competition among multiple applicants.

Funding details in the source data indicate an award ceiling of $75,000 and an expectation of one award. The announcement was created on June 7, 2017, with an original closing date of June 13, 2017, suggesting a short application window typical of a single-source intent notice where the prospective recipient is already identified. Applicants were instructed that submissions must address all activities and stipulations referenced in Section I, Section IV, and an Application Checklist contained in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. In other words, even though it is single-source, the recipient still had to provide a complete, compliant application package that directly responds to the required scope, terms, and administrative checklist items laid out by FWS.

Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a targeted, cooperative-agreement award under the CESU framework, intended to support a specific, agency-aligned natural resources project with a public university partner. The statutory references and the CESU context point toward work involving technical studies, conservation planning support, or applied research tied to wildlife, habitat, and ecosystem stewardship responsibilities carried out by the Fish and Wildlife Service.

• The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.678.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jun 07, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 13, 2017 Notice of Intent to Single Source to the University of New Mexico. Applications must address all activities stipulations in Section I, Section IV, and the Application Checklist (via Notice of Funding Opportunity).. (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 $75,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.

Apply for F17AS00241

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