Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)

The U.S. Geological Survey, within the U.S. Department of the Interior, is offering a cooperative agreement funding opportunity through the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit program. This initiative is designed to foster collaboration between federal scientists and academic or research institutions that are formally affiliated with the CESU network. The funding opportunity focuses on advancing scientific understanding and practical application of data derived from the Surface Water and Ocean Topography mission, a satellite-based system that provides detailed measurements of water surface elevation at unprecedented spatial scales. The program reflects the USGS mission to support resource management, hazard mitigation, and environmental monitoring through high quality scientific data and partnerships. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support research that improves the processing, analysis, and application of SWOT data for hydrological and water resource management purposes. The funded project will focus on extracting water surface elevation information from pixel cloud data, improving data accuracy assessments, and automating the dissemination of elevation data across water bodies in the United States. Additional objectives include enhancing methods for remote sensing of river discharge and developing tools for visualization and access to water data. The work is intended to directly support decision makers, water managers, and scientists by improving access to reliable, timely, and scalable hydrologic information. Funding under this opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement, indicating substantial involvement by USGS scientists throughout the project period. The total estimated funding for the project is 300000 dollars, with approximately 150000 dollars available for the initial budget year and the remainder contingent upon satisfactory performance and continued availability of funds. The anticipated period of performance includes a base year followed by a potential renewal year. Funds may be used for personnel, equipment, travel, data analysis, and other research-related costs, as detailed in the required budget narrative. Indirect costs are capped at a CESU negotiated rate of 17.5 percent. Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to organizations that are officially recognized as partners within the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit. These entities typically include universities, research institutions, and other organizations that have established cooperative agreements with CESU programs. Applicants must demonstrate technical expertise in hydrology, remote sensing, data processing, or related scientific disciplines. The proposal must identify key personnel, including a principal investigator, and describe their qualifications and experience relevant to the project objectives. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov using the specified funding opportunity number. The submission requires a comprehensive technical narrative including project objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and dissemination plans. Additional required components include a detailed budget narrative, a data management plan, biographical sketches for key personnel, and documentation of current and pending support. Applicants must also prepare a project abstract summary that will be publicly available. The proposal must adhere to USGS Fundamental Science Practices and include plans for sharing data and results with stakeholders and the broader scientific community. Proposals will be evaluated by USGS technical personnel based on clearly defined criteria including the relevance and clarity of objectives, technical approach, budget justification, and the qualifications and experience of the project team. Applications must demonstrate alignment with federal priorities related to water resource management, energy, and scientific integrity. Successful applicants will be required to submit annual progress reports, financial reports, and a final technical report summarizing project outcomes. Questions regarding the opportunity may be directed to the designated grant specialist or technical contact listed in the announcement. The funding opportunity does not explicitly state a recurring cycle and appears to be a single issuance tied to a specific project need. No specific application deadline is provided within the available material, and applicants are encouraged to monitor Grants.gov for submission timelines. The cooperative agreement emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and the advancement of scientific knowledge that can support national water resource monitoring and management efforts.

Ensure strong alignment with USGS priorities and clearly demonstrate SWOT data expertise and data dissemination plans