Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the North Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), under the U.S. Department of the Interior, is offering a funding opportunity specifically designated for partners affiliated with the North Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU). This cooperative agreement seeks to support a focused research initiative on avian influenza, specifically examining the immunological and ecological factors influencing the transmission and persistence of the disease among wild bird populations. The award emphasizes the importance of understanding host-pathogen dynamics in light of the emergence and spread of the highly pathogenic H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, which has significantly altered avian influenza prevalence patterns and host impact profiles across North America since 2021. The grant supports research designed to deepen the scientific community’s understanding of how avian species, particularly those understudied to date, respond to infection. Traditional avian influenza surveillance has primarily concentrated on gulls and waterfowl, but the recent surge in affected species—now numbering over 500 globally—indicates a broader ecological footprint. The new viral dynamics have been associated with extensive mortality events across colonial nesting birds, scavengers, and raptors, prompting an urgent need to examine host susceptibility, resilience, and the genetic underpinnings of disease tolerance or resistance. Research objectives under this funding opportunity are structured around three key goals: first, to assess how wild bird species have been impacted by both highly and low pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI and LPAI); second, to identify transcriptomic responses to infection, thereby enhancing scientific understanding of immune system pathways and host responses; and third, to evaluate the predictive capacity for determining which species are likely to act as reservoirs or suffer disproportionate mortality. This approach aims to combine traditional surveillance methods with advanced genomic tools, particularly transcriptomics, to detect immune signatures and host traits associated with disease outcomes. The cooperative agreement spans a five-year period and is expected to be funded at a total amount of $499,000. Year 1 funding is anticipated at $25,000, with subsequent annual funding contingent upon availability of funds and satisfactory progress. The intended funding mechanism is a cooperative agreement, ensuring close collaboration between the recipient and USGS personnel. Eligible applicants must be existing partners of the North Atlantic Coast CESU, reinforcing the program’s commitment to regional and mission-aligned collaboration. The application process is conducted exclusively through Grants.gov, using Funding Opportunity Number G26AS00097. Applicants must complete a comprehensive submission including a cover page, technical narrative, detailed budget narrative aligned with SF-424A, and a data management plan. Required proposal components include background and problem statements, research methods, deliverables, dissemination strategy, timeline, and references. Supporting documents must include biographical sketches and current/pending support disclosures for all key personnel. A completed Project Abstract Summary (PAS) is also required and will be published on USAspending.gov if awarded. Evaluation criteria include the relevance and clarity of research objectives, the applicant’s technical approach, appropriateness of the proposed budget, and the qualifications of the research team. Proposals are reviewed by federal personnel and assessed against four weighted categories, each worth 25% of the total evaluation score. Successful recipients will be expected to comply with all federal reporting requirements, including annual and final technical and financial reports. Questions regarding application mechanics should be directed to Rachel Miller, USGS Grants Management Specialist, while technical inquiries should be addressed to Dr. Diann Prosser, Research Wildlife Biologist at the Eastern Ecological Science Center.

Focus on transcriptomic approach, field and lab technique clarity, and scientific dissemination plan.