Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Great Lakes Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G22AS00423

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is a US Geological Survey (USGS) discretionary funding opportunity issued as a cooperative agreement under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. It is focused on applied research and development to improve point-of-use environmental DNA (eDNA) tools for invasive species screening at points of entry.

Which agency is sponsoring the opportunity?

The sponsoring agency is the US Geological Survey (USGS).

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is G22AS00423.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number is 15.808.

What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is $200,000.

What was the original closing date?

The original closing date listed is August 30, 2022.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is restricted to organizations that are official partner institutions formally affiliated with the Great Lakes Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU).

Is this a standard grant or a cooperative agreement?

This opportunity is a cooperative agreement. That typically indicates substantial federal involvement or collaboration during the project compared to a standard grant.

What activity category does this opportunity fall under?

The activity category is listed as science and technology and other research and development.

What problem is the project trying to solve?

The project targets a practical challenge: invasive species surveillance at points of entry is difficult using traditional approaches. Visual inspection can miss organisms that are low-abundance, hard to see, present only as fragments or early life stages, or difficult to identify without specialized taxonomic expertise. Sending samples to a laboratory can also slow down response and decision-making.

What are "points of entry" in the context of this project?

Points of entry include locations where shipments and transported goods are screened, such as ports, border inspection stations, and other inspection or screening sites associated with trade and transport pathways.

What is environmental DNA (eDNA) and why is it relevant here?

eDNA refers to genetic material left behind by organisms in environmental samples. In this opportunity, eDNA is relevant because it can enable detection of invasive organisms from materials connected to shipments and transport pathways (for example, water from bait tanks, rinse water from shipments, residues on plants, or material from soil and packaging) without needing to visually find the organism.

Why does the opportunity emphasize "point-of-use" eDNA tools?

The emphasis is on tools that can be used directly at inspection sites rather than requiring laboratory facilities. The goal is faster, more sensitive screening that fits within real inspection timelines and constraints.

What operational requirements must point-of-entry eDNA tools meet?

The opportunity describes several demanding requirements: tools must be field-deployable (not lab-dependent), provide rapid results compatible with inspection timelines, and be simple and consistent enough that personnel without laboratory training can use them reliably. The workflow also needs to minimize contamination risk and user error in high-throughput environments.

What methods are highlighted as promising for field deployment?

The description highlights isothermal amplification methods, particularly lyophilized LAMP (loop-mediated isothermal amplification) assays, as a major technical theme for point-of-use detection.

Why is LAMP mentioned specifically?

LAMP can amplify DNA at a constant temperature, which reduces the need for complex thermal cycling equipment. That makes it more practical for field settings. The opportunity also notes that lyophilized (freeze-dried) reagents can improve portability and shelf life for deployment outside a laboratory.

What does "lyophilized" mean in this context?

Lyophilized means freeze-dried. In the context of LAMP assays, lyophilized reagents can be easier to transport, store, and use in non-laboratory environments because they can offer improved portability and shelf life.

Are there examples of prior proof-of-concept work mentioned?

Yes. The opportunity references proof-of-concept work where LAMP assays were developed for high-priority invasive taxa such as invasive carp and dreissenid mussels. It also notes practical applications like testing bait tank water and screening imported moss balls, presented as evidence that on-site point-of-entry detection can be feasible.

Is the project expected to invent entirely new assays?

The opportunity indicates that proposed approaches are expected to be validated using known isothermal assays that have already been developed for invasive species. The emphasis is on demonstrating reliable performance and operational practicality with existing assays relevant to real threats, not only proposing a protocol in theory.

What technical gaps does the opportunity say still need to be addressed?

The description identifies unresolved questions such as determining the most efficient and sensitive ways to isolate and amplify eDNA from different sample types. It also points out that even if a method avoids specialized lab equipment, it may still be too slow, complex, or finicky for inspection environments, which drives the need for streamlined workflows.

What sample types are considered relevant for screening?

Examples of relevant sample types include water (such as bait tank water), rinse water from shipments, residues on plants, plant material, soil, packaging-associated material, and other templates associated with shipment and transport pathways.

Why does sample type matter for the workflow?

The opportunity notes that the best workflow likely varies depending on the template (for example, water versus plant material versus soil). Different sample types can require different isolation and amplification steps to achieve good sensitivity and efficiency.

What is the stated end goal for the workflow?

The stated end goal is a highly sensitive, one-tube approach that integrates collection and amplification as much as possible. The intent is to create a streamlined workflow with the greatest utility at ports of entry.

Why is a "one-tube" approach important?

A one-tube approach is emphasized because it can reduce steps, shorten preparation time, and lower the chances of contamination or user error, which is particularly important in time-constrained, high-throughput inspection settings.

How does this opportunity relate to invasive species prevention and federal priorities?

The work is framed as part of invasive species prevention and early detection efforts supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act), Public Law 117-58. The broader priority described is to stop invasive organisms before they establish and spread.

Are rapid eDNA assays already widely used at points of entry?

The notice states that rapid eDNA assays are not yet widely implemented at federal and state points of entry, which is why this work is positioned as filling a gap between promising research methods and routine operational use.

How many awards are expected?

The expected number of awards is not clearly specified in the provided information. The opportunity’s partner-restricted nature and the defined award ceiling suggest a focused, mission-driven project intended to produce practical outcomes.

What does the CESU Program have to do with this award?

The award is issued under the CESU Program, which is designed to connect federal agencies with partner institutions for research, technical assistance, and education. This opportunity is specifically tied to the Great Lakes Northern Forest CESU partnership network.