Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G24AS00369

Opportunity Information: Apply for G24AS00369

This grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number G24AS00369) is a discretionary cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), specifically through its Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NOROCK). The project focus is on strengthening the statistical foundation of bat monitoring in the western United States by improving Bayesian, model-based inference for common bat survey data. In practical terms, the work is meant to help turn multiple kinds of bat monitoring observations into more reliable estimates of bat status and population trends, using modern Bayesian approaches that can better handle uncertainty, imperfect detection, and differences among survey methods.

The scientific need behind the opportunity is tied to how bats are currently monitored across large landscapes. The field data streams emphasized here are stationary acoustic surveys (recorders left in place to capture echolocation calls), mobile transects (acoustics collected while moving along a route), and summertime colony counts (direct counts at roosts or maternity colonies during the summer period). These are the core monitoring methods used by the North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat), a continent-scale effort that compiles and analyzes data to support periodic, range-wide assessments of bat species status and trends (referenced in the notice as Loeb et al. 2015). The funding is aimed at improving the statistical models that connect these data streams to meaningful biological conclusions, especially in ways that are defensible for management and conservation decisions.

NOROCK frames this work as part of ongoing statistical leadership and development within NABat. The notice highlights that a NOROCK research statistician helped conceptualize NABat, developed the probabilistic master sample design that supports coordinated monitoring across jurisdictions, and continues to identify and address emerging research and development needs for the program's "Bats and Stats Team." That context signals that the cooperative agreement is not just for producing a standalone report; it is intended to contribute to an active monitoring program and to advance the statistical tools that NABat partners rely on for coordinated, large-scale inference.

Administratively, this award is being issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program, which is a partnership mechanism used by federal agencies to collaborate with universities, research institutions, and other partners on research, technical assistance, and education. Because it is a CESU opportunity, eligibility is limited: applicants must be participating partners in the Rocky Mountain CESU network. The assistance listing associated with the opportunity is CFDA (now commonly referred to as Assistance Listing) 15.808, and the funding activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development, reflecting that the deliverables are expected to be research-oriented, technical, and method-focused rather than general outreach or on-the-ground implementation alone.

Key practical details included in the source information are the award ceiling of $499,999 and an original closing date of 2024-06-21. The opportunity is posted by the Geological Survey (USGS) and uses a cooperative agreement funding instrument, which typically implies substantial federal involvement during the project (for example, close collaboration with USGS scientists, iterative development of methods, shared decision-making about technical direction, and alignment with NABat program needs). Overall, the opportunity is best understood as targeted support for a Rocky Mountain CESU partner to work directly with USGS/NOROCK to advance Bayesian modeling approaches that improve how acoustic, transect, and colony-count data are integrated and interpreted for bat conservation monitoring at broad geographic scales.

• 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 Mountain 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 2024-05-21.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-06-21. (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 $499,999.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

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