Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G21AS00506

Opportunity Information: Apply for G21AS00506

This grant opportunity is a discretionary cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), specifically through the Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. It seeks a researcher with strong hydro-ecological expertise to design and deliver practical, remote sensing-based water use products for on-the-ground resource managers. A central theme is moving water-use monitoring from traditional offline workflows into a modern cloud computing environment, where data can be processed, analyzed, and shared more quickly and consistently. The project is framed as applied research and tool-building, with an emphasis on turning satellite and geospatial data into decision-ready information that managers can use for drought early warning and broader water resources management.

The work described focuses on developing online tools, workflows, and procedures that help users monitor and assess landscape water use at relevant spatial and temporal scales. In practice, that implies building applications that translate remote sensing observations into interpretable metrics and dashboards, and establishing repeatable methods that resource managers can rely on during time-sensitive conditions like drought. The opportunity also highlights the need to reduce the time lag between data collection, processing, interpretation, and actual decision making. In other words, the project should help close the gap between having large volumes of Earth observation data and being able to use them quickly to guide actions such as water allocation decisions, drought response planning, and landscape management.

Because this is a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant, applicants should expect substantial involvement and collaboration with USGS during the period of performance. Cooperative agreements typically indicate that the agency anticipates participating in technical direction, coordination, data or infrastructure integration, and iterative development to ensure the resulting products are aligned with agency and stakeholder needs. The project is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development, and it is tied to CFDA 15.808, signaling that it sits within USGS research and technical assistance programs.

Eligibility is restricted: only organizations that are already participating partners of the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program can apply. CESUs are structured partnerships intended to connect federal agencies with universities, research institutions, and other partners to deliver research, technical assistance, and education that directly support resource management needs. This opportunity is therefore not open competition to the general public; it is designed for an established CESU-affiliated partner network, leveraging existing collaboration mechanisms and shared mission alignment.

Administratively, the opportunity number is G21AS00506, and the original closing date was May 21, 2021, with a creation date of May 4, 2021. The listed award ceiling is $400,000. While the notice indicates expected awards without specifying a number, the ceiling suggests a moderately sized, focused effort intended to produce concrete tools and usable workflows rather than purely theoretical research outputs. Overall, the funding aims to support a cloud-based remote sensing water-use monitoring capability that can be operationalized by managers, improve the integration of geospatial datasets into decision processes, and increase the speed and effectiveness of drought and water management responses.

• 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 2021-05-04.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-05-21. (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 $400,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for G21AS00506

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