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Grants / Department of the Interior / Geological Survey

G21AS00407: Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner of the Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

Closed Closed April 10, 2021 Opportunity G21AS00407

This grant is closed. A newer notice from the same program is open now: Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with Alaska Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (G27AS00066). Status: Closes December 7, 2026 (30 days left). It is in our archive of Geological Survey notices from 2021.

Geological Survey offered grants of up to $80,000 (at least $25,000) to the applicants described in the notice. Applications closed on April 10, 2021.

From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed March 23, 2021. Checked November 7, 2026.

Key dates

PostedMarch 23, 2021
DeadlineApril 10, 2021

Who can apply

This opportunity was open to the applicants described in the notice.

This financial assistance opportunity is being issued under a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. CESU’s are partnerships that provide research, technical assistance, and education. Eligible recipients must be a participating partner of the Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program.

Is this a realistic fit?

What the grant funds

The US Geological Survey is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research in the “Development of a cell phone application for use by oil spill responders for semi-quantitative analysis of hydrocarbons following spills and disasters.” Research Objectives: The USGS is currently conducting science to characterize and optimize the fluorescent properties of oil extracts to detect oil using image analysis. The general approach for the project is to: (1) optimize the fluorescent properties of simple oil/solvent systems for characterizing environmental samples, (2) characterize oil concentration based on the image analysis using laboratory derived concentration relationships, (3) develop a machine learning model and related equations to predict oil concentration using fluorescence based optical properties. The objectives of this funding opportunity is to provide science to enhance the design of a cell phone adaptor/system 1) addresses interference of oil spill sample image collection, 2) approaches to optimize power usage, and 3) evaluate the confounding factors/conditions to optimize control/restriction of the image collection. In this task we will seek input from the oil spill practice community for input on the design and implementation of an image collection approach. Three key questions should be answered: What confounding factors or conditions might affect fluorescent image analysis of oil samples? In an image collection system how can electrical energy be optimized and or managed to ensure efficient and stable image collection? What approaches can be used to address confounding factors in a fluorescent image analysis system (1) while addressing issues identified in energy optimization identified in (2)? This study will address USGS Ecosystem Mission Area goals to (1) Identify, prioritize, and detect contaminants; (2) Reduce the impact of stressors on the environment, fish, and wildlife; (3) Discover the complex interactions and combined effects of exposure to contaminants; and (4) Prepare for and respond to environmental impacts and related health threats of anthropogenic disasters. Products of the research should include prototype systems that integrate approaches addressing the optimized fluorescent image collection and providing multiple prototype systems (up to 50) that can be provided for integration with the machine learning application for field demonstration.

Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

Who has won U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection grants before

From fiscal 2021 to 2025, U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection (15.808) awarded $629 million across 1,128 grant awards, an average of $557,251 per award.

Largest recipients, fiscal 2021 to 2025
RecipientStateAwardsAmount
Trustees of the Colorado School of MinesColorado12$242 million
University of Alaska FairbanksAlaska18$28.7 million
California Institute of TechnologyCalifornia5$19.0 million
University of WashingtonWashington17$17.6 million
University Enterprises, Inc.California4$15.4 million

Top states: Colorado ($259 million), California ($85.8 million), Alaska ($45.5 million), Washington ($20.8 million), Oregon ($19.2 million).

Applying now

This notice no longer takes applications. Apply under the newer notice, G27AS00066, which is open now.

The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.

Questions people ask

Is G21AS00407 still open?

No. It closed on April 10, 2021. A newer notice is open: G27AS00066, closes December 7, 2026 (30 days left).

Who can apply for Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner of the Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit?

Geological Survey accepted applications from the applicants described in the notice. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

What is the deadline for Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner of the Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit?

Closed April 10, 2021. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $80,000 each.

Who has won U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Trustees of the Colorado School of Mines, University of Alaska Fairbanks, California Institute of Technology. The program made 1,128 awards worth $629 million in that time.

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