Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit
Open Posted
- Opportunity number
- G27AS00062
- Agency
-
US Geological Survey
Department of the Interior
- Applications due
- Award size
- Up to $145,220
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Science and Technology and other Research and Development
- Eligible applicants
-
- Other
- Points of contact
-
- Katie Calder katherine_calder@ios.doi.gov
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The U.S. Geological Survey is soliciting applications for Cooperative Agreement G27AS00062, which funds an automated, standardized analytical pipeline for Real-Time Quaking Induced Conversion (RT-QuIC) assay data in Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance, research, and management, with applications due December 7, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET. Eligibility is restricted to participating partners of the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU), and the single anticipated award carries a ceiling of $145,220 and a floor of $1. Budget Year 1 is $72,610. The period of performance runs April 1, 2027 through March 31, 2032, with funding for Years 2 through 5 contingent on satisfactory progress and availability of funds. No cost sharing is required, and the indirect cost rate is capped at 17.5% for CESU awards.
Required work includes machine-learning classification of RT-QuIC fluorescence curves using LSTM, CNN-LSTM, and hybrid architectures; standardization of preprocessing; assembly of expanded labeled datasets from multiple laboratories; an open-source automated application built in R-Shiny or Streamlit/Python; cross-laboratory comparisons with a minimum of three independent diagnostics laboratories; and peer-reviewed publication. Review criteria and weights are Purpose, Objectives, and Relevance (30 points), Technical Approach (25 points), Budget Justification and Clarity (20 points), and Qualifications, Experience, and Past Performance (25 points).
Applicants must submit through Grants.gov, including SF-424, SF-424A, SAM.gov registration, DOI biographical sketches, current and pending support, a project narrative, a budget narrative, a data management plan, conflict of interest disclosures, and a single-page Project Abstract Summary of approximately 4,000 characters in 12-point Times New Roman, which becomes public on USAspending.gov upon award. Spatial datasets must meet the geospatial standards in Attachment D. Preapplication coordination is required. The opportunity is issued under Assistance Listing 15.808, U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection, which carries no separately budgeted pool for external proposals; awards are funded only to the extent available funds permit. 2 CFR Part 200 and 2 CFR Part 1402 govern the award.
Synopsis
The USGS is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research focused on improving the efficiency and standardization of Real-Time Quaking Induced Conversion (RT-QuIC) assay data analysis for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance, research, and management.
CWD continues to expand geographically and intensify in prevalence, placing growing strain on wildlife management agencies. RT-QuIC is among the most promising tools for the detection of low-level CWD prions, but current analytical approaches lack standardization and rely heavily on subjective interpretation. This opportunity supports development of a robust, automated, and reproducible analytical pipeline that improves efficiency, repeatability, and inter-laboratory consistency.
Eligibility
This financial assistance opportunity is being issued under a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program. CESU's are partnerships that provide research, technical assistance, and education. Eligible recipients must be a participating partner of the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit.
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