Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with the Great Lakes – Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) | G23AS00370

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the funding opportunity number for this award?

The funding opportunity number is G23AS00370.

Which federal agency is offering this funding?

This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

What type of award is this?

This is a discretionary award using a cooperative agreement mechanism.

What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?

Based on the description provided, a cooperative agreement typically involves substantial involvement and collaboration with the federal agency during the project, rather than a more hands-off relationship.

What is the main purpose of this cooperative agreement?

The purpose is to support wildlife disease research and anatomic pathology capacity by generating and analyzing data related to wildlife morbidity and mortality events. The practical aim is to identify causes of illness and death in wild animals and improve understanding of how diseases develop (pathogenesis).

What kinds of activities are expected under the project?

The scope described includes research, data collection, and technical assistance to strengthen investigative and diagnostic efforts related to wildlife disease events.

What is meant by "wildlife morbidity and mortality events" in this opportunity?

In the context provided, these are events involving illness (morbidity) and death (mortality) in wild animals, where data are collected and analyzed to determine what is happening and why.

Why is anatomic pathology capacity emphasized?

The opportunity notes that many wildlife diseases are poorly documented and new threats continue to emerge, so strengthening diagnostic and investigative pathology efforts is important for identifying causes of disease and understanding disease processes.

What role do veterinary wildlife pathologists play in this project?

The opportunity emphasizes veterinary wildlife pathologists as central to wildlife conservation and public health work, including diagnosing diseases in wildlife and contributing to investigations that clarify disease causes and impacts.

How does this opportunity connect to public health?

It highlights zoonotic diseases (diseases that can spread between animals and people) and frames the work within a "One Health" approach linking wildlife, domestic animal, and human health.

What is "One Health" in the context of this opportunity?

"One Health" is described as an approach recognizing that wildlife, domestic animal, and human health are interconnected, and that pathology-based findings can help clarify those links.

What technical and diagnostic support might the funded partner provide?

The description notes support such as conducting necropsies, histopathology and lesion interpretation, contributing to etiologic investigations (determining the cause of disease), and supporting surveillance and research studies used to detect, track, and respond to outbreaks.

What is a necropsy, as referenced in the scope?

A necropsy is an examination of an animal after death to help determine the cause of death and evaluate disease impacts, as implied by the opportunity's focus on diagnosing causes of wildlife mortality events.

What is histopathology and lesion interpretation, as referenced in the scope?

In the context provided, this refers to examining tissues and interpreting lesions to help understand disease processes and contribute to diagnosing what caused illness or death.

What are "etiologic investigations"?

The opportunity defines this in practical terms as figuring out the cause of disease.

What kinds of diseases are mentioned as examples of priority topics?

The opportunity lists examples including Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (HPAIV), Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2), White-Nose Syndrome (affecting bats), Snake Fungal Disease, and emerging amphibian diseases.

Is the funded work limited to the diseases listed?

The information provided describes those diseases as examples and emphasizes that new threats continue to emerge; it does not state that the work is limited only to the listed diseases.

Which USGS entity is identified as a key federal participant in this work?

The USGS National Wildlife Health Center is identified as a key federal entity conducting these investigations.

What is the program or network through which this work is being supported?

The opportunity is aimed at supporting work through the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network, specifically the Great Lakes - Northern Forest CESU.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is narrow: applicants must be participating partners in the Great Lakes - Northern Forest CESU and must include an AVMA-accredited veterinary college.

Does the applicant need to be part of a specific CESU?

Yes. The applicant must be a participating partner in the Great Lakes - Northern Forest CESU.

Is an AVMA-accredited veterinary college required?

Yes. The eligibility requirement states that applicants must include an AVMA-accredited veterinary college.

What is the maximum funding amount available?

The maximum funding amount listed is $430,916.

What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.808.

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on May 17, 2023.

What was the original closing date?

The posting indicates an original closing date of June 19, 2023.

What is the overall practical goal of the work described?

The practical goal is to identify causes of illness and death in wild animals and improve understanding of disease development (pathogenesis), strengthening diagnostic and investigative capacity for real-world wildlife health needs.