Opportunity Information: Apply for G18AS00059
The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Rivers CESU grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number G18AS00059) is a US Geological Survey (USGS) discretionary funding announcement under the Department of the Interior that supports a targeted research project to improve how oil is detected and quantified using fluorescence-based techniques paired with a complementary metal oxide sensor (CMOS) or a comparable sensing approach. The award is offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning the work is expected to be conducted in collaboration with USGS, typically with substantial agency involvement in technical coordination, project direction, data expectations, or related scientific support.
The core purpose of the project is to advance laboratory-based understanding and practical measurement methods for detecting oil in environmental contexts by focusing on the fluorescent behavior of oil. The research is framed around three connected objectives. First, the funded partner is expected to optimize the fluorescent properties of simplified oil and solvent mixtures, essentially building controlled oil/solvent systems that can be used to better interpret and characterize real-world environmental samples. This part of the work is aimed at improving signal clarity and repeatability by determining which mixtures, preparation methods, and measurement conditions produce the most reliable fluorescence signatures relevant to environmental monitoring.
Second, the project calls for characterizing oil concentration using a CMOS sensor (or a similar detection method) by developing laboratory-derived relationships between measured fluorescence signals and known oil concentrations. In practical terms, this involves producing calibration-type datasets in the lab so that fluorescence readings from the sensor can be translated into estimates of how much oil is present. This is important because fluorescence can vary depending on oil type, dilution, solvent composition, and measurement configuration, so the project is designed to establish defensible, experimentally derived concentration-response relationships.
Third, the recipient is expected to develop a predictive model and supporting equations that use fluorescence-based optical properties to estimate oil concentration. This final deliverable goes beyond collecting measurements by turning the observed relationships into a structured model that can be applied to new samples. The intent is to provide a quantitative toolset (for example, equations, calibration curves, or model parameters) that can help predict oil concentration from fluorescence signals in a way that is reproducible and suitable for environmental applications.
In terms of administrative details, the opportunity was created on July 11, 2018, with an original closing date of July 25, 2018, indicating a short application window typical of some CESU competitions. The program is listed under CFDA 15.808 and falls within the funding activity category of Science and Technology and other Research and Development. The announcement anticipated a single award with an award ceiling of $14,100, so it is structured as a small, focused research effort rather than a large multi-year program. Eligibility is limited to partners within the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit network, specifically the Great Rivers CESU, with the eligibility field indicating "Others" and directing applicants to consult additional eligibility information in the full notice for the exact qualifications and requirements.
Overall, this grant opportunity is best understood as a narrowly scoped applied research project: it aims to refine fluorescence-based detection of oil by improving the underlying lab methods, building sensor-to-concentration relationships, and delivering a usable predictive model that translates optical fluorescence properties into oil concentration estimates for environmental characterization and monitoring.Apply for G18AS00059
- The Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Rivers CESU" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.808.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 11, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 25, 2018. (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 $14,100.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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FAQs - Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Rivers CESU (USGS) Grant Opportunity (G18AS00059)
What is the funding opportunity number for this grant?
The funding opportunity number is G18AS00059.
Which agency is offering this grant opportunity?
This is a US Geological Survey (USGS) discretionary funding announcement under the US Department of the Interior.
What program or network is this opportunity associated with?
The opportunity is offered through the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network, specifically the Great Rivers CESU.
What is the main purpose of this project?
The project supports a targeted research effort to improve how oil is detected and quantified in environmental contexts using fluorescence-based techniques paired with a complementary metal oxide sensor (CMOS) or a comparable sensing approach.
What type of award is being offered?
The award is offered as a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that this award is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement indicates that the work is expected to be conducted in collaboration with USGS, typically with substantial agency involvement. That involvement may include technical coordination, project direction, data expectations, or related scientific support.
How many awards does the announcement anticipate making?
The announcement anticipated a single award.
What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $14,100.
Is this a large research program or a small focused project?
Based on the single anticipated award and the $14,100 ceiling, this is structured as a small, focused research effort rather than a large multi-year program.
What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?
The funding activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development.
What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The program is listed under CFDA 15.808.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on July 11, 2018.
What was the original closing date?
The original closing date was July 25, 2018.
How long was the application window?
Based on the created date (July 11, 2018) and the original closing date (July 25, 2018), the application window was short, which is typical of some CESU competitions.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to partners within the CESU network, specifically the Great Rivers CESU. The eligibility field indicates "Others" and directs applicants to consult additional eligibility information in the full notice for exact qualifications and requirements.
What research approach is the project trying to improve?
The project focuses on fluorescence-based oil detection and quantification, paired with a CMOS sensor or a comparable sensing approach, with the goal of improving laboratory understanding and practical measurement methods for environmental applications.
What are the main research objectives described in the announcement?
The research is framed around three connected objectives: (1) optimizing fluorescent properties of simplified oil and solvent mixtures, (2) characterizing oil concentration using a CMOS sensor (or similar method) by developing lab-derived relationships between fluorescence and known concentrations, and (3) developing a predictive model and supporting equations to estimate oil concentration from fluorescence-based optical properties.
What does "optimize the fluorescent properties of simplified oil and solvent mixtures" mean in this project?
It means building controlled oil/solvent systems in the lab to better interpret and characterize real-world environmental samples. This work is intended to improve signal clarity and repeatability by determining which mixtures, preparation methods, and measurement conditions produce reliable fluorescence signatures relevant to environmental monitoring.
Why does the project emphasize simplified oil/solvent mixtures?
Simplified mixtures allow controlled, repeatable laboratory conditions that can help isolate and interpret fluorescence behavior, making it easier to relate lab measurements to fluorescence signatures seen in environmental samples.
What does the project mean by characterizing oil concentration with a CMOS sensor?
It means developing laboratory-derived relationships between measured fluorescence signals (collected with a CMOS sensor or similar detector) and known oil concentrations. These relationships function like calibration datasets so sensor fluorescence readings can be translated into estimates of oil concentration.
Why are calibration-type datasets important for this work?
They are important because fluorescence signals can vary depending on oil type, dilution, solvent composition, and measurement configuration. Laboratory calibration datasets help establish defensible, experimentally derived concentration-response relationships.
What is the expected modeling deliverable?
The recipient is expected to develop a predictive model and supporting equations that use fluorescence-based optical properties to estimate oil concentration, providing a quantitative toolset that can be applied to new samples in a reproducible way for environmental applications.
What kinds of outputs are implied by "predictive model and supporting equations"?
The announcement suggests outputs such as equations, calibration curves, or model parameters that enable prediction of oil concentration from fluorescence signals.
Is the work primarily laboratory-based or field-based?
The core purpose emphasizes advancing laboratory-based understanding and practical measurement methods, including controlled mixtures and laboratory-derived concentration-response relationships.
What environmental problem area is this project meant to support?
The project is meant to support environmental characterization and monitoring by improving methods to detect and quantify oil using fluorescence-based optical measurements.
Does the announcement require using a CMOS sensor specifically?
The project describes using a CMOS sensor paired with fluorescence-based techniques, or a comparable sensing approach, indicating that a similar detection method may be acceptable if comparable.
What role is USGS expected to play during the project?
Because this is a cooperative agreement, USGS is expected to have substantial involvement, which may include technical coordination, project direction, data expectations, and related scientific support.
How would you summarize this opportunity in plain terms?
It is a narrowly scoped applied research project intended to refine fluorescence-based oil detection by improving lab methods, building defensible sensor-to-concentration relationships, and delivering a predictive model that translates fluorescence properties into oil concentration estimates for environmental use.
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