Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit, Colorado Plateau CESU | G17AS00011

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is the Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU) Colorado Plateau CESU funding opportunity (G17AS00011). It is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Western Ecological Research Center project offered under a cooperative agreement to support science and technology research focused on Mojave Desert tortoise health.

2) Which federal agency is offering the award?

The award is offered by the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), specifically associated with the Western Ecological Research Center.

3) What is the main purpose of the project?

The core purpose is to fund a CESU partner to analyze gene expression data generated through RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). The goal is to identify which genes are actively expressed in Mojave desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) and determine what cellular and immune pathways shift in response to health status and environmental conditions.

4) What species is the research focused on?

The project focuses on the Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii).

5) What type of research does the opportunity support?

The opportunity supports science and technology research that connects molecular biology tools (RNA-seq gene expression profiling) with wildlife health monitoring, with the aim of understanding biological responses to stressors in the Mojave Desert ecosystem.

6) What data will the funded partner be expected to analyze?

The partner is expected to analyze RNA-seq gene expression datasets. The announcement emphasizes integrating samples and datasets pulled from multiple projects, potentially spanning different study designs and field contexts.

7) What kinds of samples are involved?

The project involves collecting tissue samples from desert tortoises, such as blood, and profiling gene expression using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq).

8) Is the project limited to a single dataset or single study design?

No. The opportunity explicitly emphasizes integrating RNA-seq samples and datasets from multiple projects, which may differ in research design and field context.

9) Will the RNA-seq results be analyzed in isolation, or will they be linked to other information?

The RNA-seq results are intended to be interpreted alongside a USGS-maintained and expanding library of tortoise biological health information and environmental covariates. This implies the partner will work with sequencing outputs as well as associated metadata about animal health measures and relevant environmental factors.

10) What is meant by "environmental covariates" in this announcement?

The announcement indicates that environmental covariates are relevant environmental factors associated with the tortoise samples, used to support more informative comparisons and modeling of gene expression patterns. (No specific covariates are enumerated in the provided description.)

11) What are the intended scientific outcomes?

A major intended outcome is to pinpoint molecular and cellular indicators of change that can be measured quantitatively and potentially used as biomarkers of stress or disease. The project aims to map which genes and pathways turn on or off under different conditions to reveal biological signatures linked to habitat disturbance, disease processes, nutritional deficiency, and other environmental stressors.

12) Does the opportunity specify particular health categories for comparison?

Yes. The announcement specifically notes analyses comparing RNA-seq data from tortoises categorized as clinically normal, diseased, and nutritionally deficient.

13) Can the health classifications or groupings change over time?

Yes. The announcement leaves room for additional or refined health classifications as the project evolves, suggesting analyses may expand as new data are added or as results indicate a need for different grouping strategies.

14) What kinds of biological pathways are mentioned as targets of analysis?

The description highlights cellular and immune pathways and how they shift with health status and environmental conditions.

15) What is the expected practical value of the research?

In practical terms, the work links molecular biology tools with wildlife health monitoring to better understand how Mojave desert tortoises respond biologically to stressors in their ecosystem. The identification of quantitative indicators may support potential biomarker development for stress or disease.

16) What type of award mechanism is used?

The opportunity is offered under a cooperative agreement.

17) Is this a discretionary funding opportunity?

Yes. The announcement states it is a discretionary funding opportunity from the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.

18) What is the CFDA number and program category?

The opportunity is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development, CFDA 15.808.

19) How many awards were anticipated?

The opportunity anticipated a single award.

20) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $23,500.

21) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to CESU partners. The announcement notes eligibility is listed under "Others" with clarification referenced in the eligibility details, consistent with the CESU model of collaboration between federal agencies and a network of academic and research institutions.

22) What is the CESU model referenced in the eligibility information?

The announcement describes the CESU model as a framework where federal agencies collaborate with a network of academic and research institutions to carry out applied research that supports public-land and wildlife management priorities.

23) When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on November 1, 2016.

24) What was the original closing date?

The original closing date was November 17, 2016.

25) What is the official identifier for this opportunity?

The opportunity identifier provided is G17AS00011.