Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Rivers CESU | G20AS00020

Opportunity Information: Apply for G20AS00020

The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Rivers CESU funding opportunity (G20AS00020) is a US Geological Survey (USGS) Powell Center award aimed at supporting research on "Causes, Consequences, Changes, and Management of Streamflow Depletion Across the U.S." It is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement under the Science and Technology/Research and Development activity category (CFDA 15.808). The program is designed to fund one project, with an award ceiling of $50,000, and it is limited to eligible CESU partners (the notice indicates "Others," with eligibility clarified in the additional eligibility information associated with the opportunity). The opportunity was posted on November 25, 2019, with an original application deadline of December 10, 2019.

The central purpose of the project is to synthesize and leverage existing information rather than generate entirely new field datasets. The selected partner is expected to compile and integrate streamflow-related datasets from USGS and other sources, then use that combined evidence base to quantify where and how streamflow depletion is occurring or could occur across the continental United States. In practical terms, the work focuses on understanding reductions in streamflow and baseflow, identifying likely drivers, and producing accessible outputs that help communicate findings to researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers.

The scope of work is organized around four main tasks. First, the project will quantify changes in streamflow and baseflow using trend analyses applied to available observational records. This component emphasizes documenting how flow conditions have shifted over time and characterizing those changes in a consistent way across broad geographic areas. Second, the project will attribute observed changes in streamflow and baseflow to major contributing factors, specifically climate change and land-use change. This attribution work is meant to move beyond describing trends and toward explaining them, using the best available data and analytical approaches appropriate for a synthesis-scale study.

Third, the project will evaluate "simple hydrologic metrics" to determine whether they are appropriate and robust for capturing streamflow depletion and related human impacts on stream environments. This implies a practical screening of commonly used indicators to see which ones perform reliably across different hydrologic settings and which are most informative for detecting or summarizing depletion linked to human activities. Fourth, the project will develop a visualization tool focused on streamflow depletion potential. The intention is to translate technical results into an understandable, usable format that supports education and information transfer, making it easier for stakeholders to explore patterns, compare regions, and understand the implications of depletion.

Overall, this opportunity supports a synthesis-and-translation effort: assemble existing datasets, analyze long-term changes in streamflow and baseflow, separate the influence of climate and land use where possible, assess the usefulness of straightforward hydrologic indicators, and deliver a visualization product that improves communication and usability of the results. The emphasis on a CESU cooperative agreement also signals an expectation of collaboration and coordination with USGS priorities, with deliverables that are both scientifically credible and broadly accessible.

• The Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Rivers CESU" 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 Nov 25, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 10, 2019. (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 $50,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for G20AS00020

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: