Opportunity Information: Apply for USGS 20 FA 0116
This Notice of Intent (Funding Opportunity Number USGS 20 FA 0116) is a discretionary funding opportunity from the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), focused on natural resources research under CFDA 15.820. The opportunity is framed around "Climate Change-Driven Transformations in Human and Natural Systems Case Studies to Accelerate Proactive Adaptation Responses," which signals an emphasis on applied, real-world case study work that helps decision-makers and resource managers respond earlier and more effectively to major climate-driven changes affecting both ecosystems and people. In practice, the intent is to support work that documents and analyzes climate-related transformations already underway, connects changes in natural systems with human dimensions, and produces knowledge that can be used to design proactive adaptation strategies rather than reactive responses after impacts have already escalated.
The funding instrument for this opportunity is a cooperative agreement, meaning the USGS is likely to have substantial involvement in the project beyond simply providing funds. Cooperative agreements are typically used when the federal agency expects to collaborate closely on project direction, data sharing, technical approaches, or dissemination of results. Applicants should generally anticipate coordination with USGS scientists or program staff, alignment with USGS priorities, and an expectation that project outputs will be useful to stakeholders who are planning for climate adaptation in resource management, conservation, and related human-natural systems contexts.
Eligibility is limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. This restriction means the applicant organization must be a qualifying public college or university (or similar state-controlled higher education institution). While other entities may sometimes participate as partners or collaborators, the prime applicant and award recipient must fit the eligibility definition stated in the notice. Because the opportunity is structured as a single expected award, competition is likely focused on identifying one project team and one integrated set of case studies that best fit USGS goals for understanding climate-driven transformations and translating that understanding into actionable adaptation insights.
The maximum funding amount listed is an award ceiling of $40,294, with one award expected. That budget level suggests a relatively targeted scope, often consistent with a focused research effort, pilot work, a tightly bounded case study analysis, synthesis activities, stakeholder engagement around a specific place-based example, or the development of decision-relevant products (for example, a structured assessment, conceptual model, scenario narrative, or guidance that helps partners identify early indicators of transformation and plan responses). Because the total ceiling is modest, a strong proposal would typically be clear about feasibility, prioritize deliverables that are achievable within the budget, and demonstrate high value through leveraging existing datasets, prior work, or established partnerships.
Key dates indicate the notice was created on April 9, 2020, with an original closing date of April 23, 2020. The short window between posting and closing suggests this may have been intended for a limited competition, a time-sensitive need, or a program with an established community of potential applicants ready to respond quickly. As with many federal opportunities, the Notice of Intent label can indicate an early signal or precursor to a more detailed solicitation, but in this listing it functions as the titled opportunity record with a defined deadline and award information. Anyone looking to pursue something similar today would typically verify whether the opportunity has been superseded, reissued, or replaced by a newer USGS funding announcement.
Overall, the opportunity centers on generating practical, case-based evidence of how climate change is transforming coupled human and natural systems, and on using those insights to speed up proactive adaptation. The intended outcome is not only improved scientific understanding of climate-driven transformation, but also clearer pathways for managers and communities to anticipate changes, recognize thresholds or tipping points, and implement adaptation measures earlier, when options are broader and costs may be lower.Apply for USGS 20 FA 0116
- The Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Notice of Intent" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.820.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 09, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 23, 2020. (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 $40,294.00 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the funding opportunity number and agency for this grant?
This opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number USGS 20 FA 0116. It is offered by the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
2) What is the program area or CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The notice states the work falls under CFDA 15.820 and is focused on natural resources research.
3) What is the main focus of the opportunity?
The opportunity is framed around "Climate Change-Driven Transformations in Human and Natural Systems Case Studies to Accelerate Proactive Adaptation Responses." The emphasis is on applied, real-world case study work that helps decision-makers and resource managers respond earlier and more effectively to major climate-driven changes affecting ecosystems and people.
4) What types of outcomes is USGS looking for?
Based on the notice description, the desired outcomes include documenting and analyzing climate-related transformations already underway, connecting changes in natural systems with human dimensions, and producing knowledge that helps design proactive adaptation strategies rather than reactive responses after impacts have escalated.
5) What does "climate change-driven transformations" mean in this context?
In this opportunity, it refers to major climate-driven changes already occurring in coupled natural and human systems. The intent is to capture evidence of these changes, understand how they play out across ecosystems and communities, and use that understanding to support earlier adaptation planning.
6) What does "case studies" imply for proposed work?
The notice signals that the work should be grounded in applied, place-based or real-world examples (case studies) that demonstrate how transformations are unfolding and what that means for practical decision-making and resource management.
7) What is the funding instrument used for this award?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.
8) What is a cooperative agreement, and how might it affect the project?
A cooperative agreement is typically used when the federal agency expects substantial involvement beyond simply providing funds. The notice indicates applicants should anticipate coordination with USGS scientists or program staff, alignment with USGS priorities, and an expectation that outputs will be useful to stakeholders planning for climate adaptation.
9) Who is eligible to apply as the prime applicant?
Eligibility is limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. The prime applicant and award recipient must meet that definition.
10) Can organizations that are not eligible still participate in some way?
The notice states that while other entities may sometimes participate as partners or collaborators, the prime applicant must be an eligible public or state-controlled institution of higher education.
11) How many awards does USGS expect to make under this opportunity?
The notice indicates one award is expected.
12) What is the maximum funding available (award ceiling)?
The maximum funding amount listed is an award ceiling of $40,294.
13) What does the relatively modest award ceiling suggest about project scope?
The ceiling suggests a targeted scope, such as a focused research effort, pilot work, a tightly bounded case study analysis, synthesis activities, stakeholder engagement around a specific example, or development of decision-relevant products (for example, a structured assessment, conceptual model, scenario narrative, or guidance).
14) What kinds of deliverables are implied by the notice?
The notice implies practical, decision-relevant outputs that help partners anticipate and respond to transformation. Examples mentioned or suggested include structured assessments, conceptual models, scenario narratives, guidance, and other products that help identify early indicators of transformation and support proactive adaptation planning.
15) What is meant by "proactive adaptation" in this opportunity?
Proactive adaptation refers to planning and taking action earlier, before impacts intensify. The notice contrasts this with reactive responses that occur after impacts have escalated, and emphasizes earlier recognition of change, thresholds, or tipping points so managers and communities can act when options are broader and costs may be lower.
16) Who are the intended users of the project outputs?
The notice highlights decision-makers, resource managers, stakeholders involved in climate adaptation planning, and those working in resource management, conservation, and related human-natural systems contexts.
17) Does the opportunity emphasize human dimensions as well as ecological change?
Yes. The description explicitly focuses on coupled human and natural systems and calls for connecting changes in natural systems with human dimensions.
18) What are the key dates listed in the notice?
The notice was created on April 9, 2020, and the original closing date is April 23, 2020.
19) What does the short posting-to-deadline window suggest?
The short window suggests it may have been intended for a limited competition, a time-sensitive need, or a program community that was expected to respond quickly.
20) The listing calls this a "Notice of Intent." Is it still a complete opportunity record?
Based on the description provided, the "Notice of Intent" label may indicate an early signal or precursor to a more detailed solicitation, but in this listing it functions as the titled opportunity record with a defined deadline and award information.
21) What should someone do if they are looking for a similar opportunity today?
The notice suggests verifying whether this opportunity has been superseded, reissued, or replaced by a newer USGS funding announcement.
22) What makes a strong proposal fit based on the information provided?
The description suggests a strong proposal would be clear about feasibility, prioritize achievable deliverables within the $40,294 ceiling, and show high value by leveraging existing datasets, prior work, or established partnerships. It should also align with USGS priorities and produce outputs useful for climate adaptation planning.
23) What is the overall intent of the program described in this notice?
The overall intent is to generate practical, case-based evidence of how climate change is transforming coupled human and natural systems, and to use those insights to accelerate proactive adaptation by helping partners anticipate changes, recognize thresholds or tipping points, and implement adaptation measures earlier.
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