Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G24AS00293

Opportunity Information: Apply for G24AS00293

The US Geological Survey (USGS) is soliciting a Cooperative Agreement proposal from an eligible partner within the Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network to investigate causes of mule deer mortality in Wyoming, with a strong focus on the role of chronic wasting disease (CWD). The project is designed to tie directly into, and complement, an ongoing statewide focal herd study, meaning the funded work is expected to integrate with existing monitoring and data collection efforts rather than operate as a stand-alone study. The overall intent is to improve understanding of why mule deer are dying across multiple regions of Wyoming and to clarify how much of that mortality can be attributed to CWD relative to other causes.

CWD is highlighted as a major management concern because it is a prion disease affecting cervids (including deer and elk) and is considered uniformly fatal, with no proven effective treatments currently available. The opportunity description emphasizes two key transmission pathways: direct animal-to-animal contact and exposure through contaminated environments. The notice also points to documented population-level impacts in Wyoming, where sharp CWD-associated declines have been observed in mule deer and white-tailed deer, and it notes that elk herds may also decline when infection prevalence surpasses a threshold reported in the literature. The broader context is that, despite extensive containment efforts, CWD has continued to spread widely and is now present across many jurisdictions; in Wyoming specifically, it is described as enzootic and detected in most mule deer hunt units statewide. This framing underscores why the agency is prioritizing research that links disease dynamics to survival and mortality outcomes.

The work will be conducted in collaboration with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, indicating an applied, management-relevant study with coordination between federal scientists and state wildlife managers. As a CESU-driven award, the project is expected to leverage the CESU model, which is intended to facilitate cooperative research, technical assistance, and education through partnerships. That also implies substantial involvement by USGS in the project (consistent with the Cooperative Agreement instrument), such as shared planning, coordination, or scientific collaboration, rather than a simple pass-through grant with minimal federal engagement.

Key administrative details include the funding opportunity number G24AS00293 and a discretionary opportunity category. The funding instrument is a Cooperative Agreement under CFDA (Assistance Listing) 15.808, within the activity category of Science and Technology and other Research and Development. The award ceiling is $300,000. Eligibility is limited to organizations that are already participating partners of the Pacific Northwest CESU program; the opportunity is not open broadly to all universities or nonprofits unless they are part of that CESU network. The original closing date listed for applications is April 23, 2024, and the opportunity was created on March 21, 2024.

• 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 Pacific Northwest 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 2024-03-21.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-04-23. (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 $300,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for G24AS00293

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