Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G23AS00341

Opportunity Information: Apply for G23AS00341

This funding opportunity (G23AS00341) is a discretionary cooperative agreement from the US Geological Survey (USGS) under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) framework, specifically tied to the Rocky Mountain CESU network. The project focuses on the genetics of the Oregon spotted frog (Rana pretiosa), a threatened amphibian found only in the Pacific Northwest. The central purpose is to generate actionable genetic and genomic information that directly supports priorities laid out in the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Recovery Plan for the species, helping agencies make better-informed conservation and recovery decisions.

The scientific emphasis is on applying modern genomic approaches rather than the older genetic tools that have been used in prior Oregon spotted frog studies. Historically, research on this species relied on allozymes and microsatellite markers, which were standard before the recent advances in genomics. In contrast, current high-throughput sequencing methods can generate information from thousands to tens of thousands of genomic loci, providing much finer resolution for understanding how populations are structured, how connected or isolated they are, and whether there are meaningful adaptive differences among groups. In practical terms, the work is intended to delineate conservation units (groups that may need to be managed separately), quantify connectivity among populations (gene flow and dispersal patterns), and estimate a suite of population genetic parameters that indicate risk and resilience, such as genetic diversity, differentiation, and signs of isolation.

The conservation need behind the project is clear: Oregon spotted frogs have declined across much of their range due to wetland loss, degradation, and fragmentation. These habitat changes are linked to altered hydrology as well as the spread of invasive vegetation and predators, which collectively reduce habitat quality and isolate populations. Because fragmented and declining populations are especially vulnerable to inbreeding, loss of genetic variation, and reduced ability to adapt to environmental change, improved genetic and genomic information is a key missing piece for evaluating threats and selecting recovery actions that are likely to work. The USGS notes that this effort is part of broader coordination with the USFWS to better understand amphibian distribution, demography, and responses to restoration and management actions aimed at stabilizing and recovering Oregon spotted frog populations.

Administratively, this opportunity is only open to eligible applicants that are official participating partners of the Rocky Mountain CESU Program. CESUs are partnership networks designed to streamline and support collaborative research, technical assistance, and education among federal agencies and partner institutions. The award is offered as a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates substantial involvement and collaboration with the funding agency during project execution, rather than a more hands-off grant structure.

Key details from the notice include: the funding activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development; the CFDA number is 15.808; the agency is the US Geological Survey; the opportunity was created on 2023-04-20 with an original closing date of 2023-05-22; and the listed award ceiling is $84,773.

• 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 2023-04-20.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-05-22. (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 $84,773.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for G23AS00341

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