Cooperative Agreement for CESU with Californian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G24AS00224

Opportunity Information: Apply for G24AS00224

This funding opportunity is a discretionary cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program, specifically tied to the Californian CESU. It is designed to support a CESU partner in developing and testing better ways to communicate scientific hazard forecasts for rare or infrequent events, with a strong emphasis on experiential and interactive approaches. The core idea is that when forecasts are not routine, the people who need to act on them often lack familiarity, training, or established decision protocols, which can reduce the usefulness of the science during high-stakes situations.

The problem the USGS is trying to address is common in emergency and risk management: unlike daily weather forecasts, certain hazard forecasts appear only after a triggering event and may be issued under conditions of uncertainty and time pressure. A key example highlighted in the announcement is aftershock forecasting following a large earthquake, when risks can remain elevated for days to weeks and decision-makers may need to choose whether to close buildings, restrict access, prioritize inspections, adjust emergency response posture, or communicate risks to the public. Social science research has shown that experiential and interactive communication methods, such as simulations, tabletop exercises, scenario-based training, and other hands-on formats, can improve comprehension, trust, and appropriate use of probabilistic or uncertain scientific information. This opportunity seeks to apply those findings to hazard forecast communication so that decision-makers are better prepared to interpret and act on infrequent forecasts when they occur.

Because the award is issued as a cooperative agreement, applicants should expect substantial involvement from the USGS during the project rather than a hands-off grant. Cooperative agreements typically imply that the federal agency will collaborate on project design, execution, evaluation, and/or dissemination of results. The activity category is listed as Science and Technology and other Research and Development, and the CFDA/assistance listing number provided is 15.808, indicating it fits within USGS assistance programming focused on research and related support.

Eligibility is limited: only organizations that are participating partners of the Californian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program may apply. CESUs are formal partnerships that connect federal agencies with universities, nonprofits, and other research or technical entities to deliver research, technical assistance, and education in support of public lands and resource management needs. This announcement is specifically targeted to that established network, so non-partner entities would generally need to participate through an eligible CESU partner rather than applying directly.

Key administrative details from the notice include the funding opportunity number G24AS00224 and an original closing date of January 31, 2024. The award ceiling is $200,000. The opportunity was created on December 20, 2023. The expected number of awards is not clearly stated in the provided source text, suggesting it may be one award or otherwise unspecified in this summary data.

In practical terms, a competitive project under this opportunity would likely focus on designing, piloting, and evaluating interactive tools or training experiences that help intended users (for example, emergency managers, infrastructure owners, public information officers, or other operational decision-makers) interpret and apply infrequent hazard forecasts, especially aftershock forecasts. Strong proposals would usually make clear who the target users are, what decisions they face, what communication gaps exist today, what experiential format will be developed, and how effectiveness will be measured using appropriate social science or evaluation methods. The overall aim is to make hazard forecasting more actionable when it matters most, by improving the way rare but consequential forecast information is understood and used.

• 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 with Californian 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 2023-12-20.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-01-31. (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 $200,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for G24AS00224

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