Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units | F18AS00175

Opportunity Information: Apply for F18AS00175

The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F18AS00175) is a discretionary funding announcement from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, offered through a cooperative agreement. It falls under the Natural Resources funding activity category and is tied to CFDA 15.678. The legal authorities cited for the work are a cluster of major federal conservation and wildlife statutes, including the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661-666), the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 2901 et seq.), the Fish and Wildlife Act (16 U.S.C. 742 et seq.), the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.), the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (16 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), and the Public Lands Corps Act (16 U.S.C. 1721-1726). In practical terms, those authorities collectively support projects that advance fish and wildlife conservation, protection and recovery of listed species, conservation of migratory birds, responsible management of sensitive coastal barrier resources, and related stewardship and capacity-building activities consistent with federal conservation missions.

This specific posting was structured as a notice of intent to make a single-source award to the University of New Mexico under the CESU network, meaning it was not presented as an open competition among all potential applicants even though it is still a formal federal funding opportunity. The eligibility category listed is public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, which aligns with how CESUs operate as partnerships that leverage university-based expertise to support federal land and wildlife management needs. The announcement indicates there is one expected award with a maximum (award ceiling) of $32,000, reflecting a relatively small, targeted project scope intended to meet a defined program need rather than fund a large multi-year initiative.

The timeline in the source data shows the opportunity was created on June 14, 2018, with an original closing date of June 20, 2018, which is a short window consistent with single-source intent announcements where the prospective recipient is already identified. Applications were required to address all activities and stipulations described in Section I of the Notice of Funding Opportunity and to follow the Application Checklist referenced in that notice. While the summary data does not list the project narrative itself, the cooperative agreement instrument type is a key detail: it typically signals that the Fish and Wildlife Service anticipated substantial involvement during the period of performance, such as collaboration on technical approach, coordination with agency priorities, data and reporting expectations, or joint participation in planning and deliverables, rather than simply issuing a grant with minimal federal engagement.

Overall, this CESU opportunity can be understood as a small, federally supported collaboration designed to apply academic or technical capacity from an eligible public university partner to a Fish and Wildlife Service conservation need, under authorities that broadly cover endangered species conservation, migratory bird protection, habitat and ecosystem stewardship, and related fish and wildlife management responsibilities.

• The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.678.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jun 14, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 20, 2018 Notice of Intent to Single Source to the University of New Mexico (CESU). Applications must address all activities amp stipulations in Section I, Description of Funding Opportunity amp the Application Checklist (via Notice of Funding Opportunity).. (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 $32,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.

Apply for F18AS00175

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