15.678 - Cooperatiev Ecosystem Studies Unit | F19AS00297

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is a discretionary cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service under CFDA 15.678 (Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit). The opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number F19AS00297.

What is the main goal of the project?

The project aims to develop a practical, science-based statistical and adaptive monitoring framework for sea otters in southeastern Alaska. The monitoring approach is intended to help managers track an expanding sea otter population and anticipate changes in distribution and abundance over time.

What species and geographic area does the project focus on?

The work focuses on sea otters in southeastern Alaska, specifically addressing a population that is expanding across the region.

What kind of work will the funded project involve?

The work is heavily quantitative and centers on building a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate current occupancy and abundance and to forecast future population distribution and size. The forecasts are then used to compare and evaluate candidate monitoring designs to select an optimal monitoring framework using explicit design criteria.

What statistical approach is expected for the modeling component?

The opportunity calls for constructing a Bayesian hierarchical model that can (1) estimate current occupancy and abundance and (2) forecast future population distribution and size for sea otters in the region.

What does "adaptive monitoring framework" mean in the context of this opportunity?

Based on the description provided, an adaptive monitoring framework here means a monitoring approach designed to help managers track changes over time and adjust monitoring design choices using model-based forecasts and clear evaluation criteria, rather than relying on a fixed, one-size-fits-all sampling plan.

How will the monitoring framework be selected or optimized?

The modeling forecasts will be used to compare different candidate monitoring designs. The intent is to select an optimal monitoring framework based on stated design criteria such as statistical performance, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to detect change over time.

What are examples of the design criteria mentioned for evaluating monitoring designs?

The notice provides examples of design criteria that may be used, including statistical performance, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to detect change over time.

Is testing and validation of the approach required?

Yes. The project requires rigorous testing of the modeling and monitoring approach. This includes sensitivity analyses and performance evaluation using simulated datasets (to examine behavior under controlled assumptions) and real-world data (to confirm usefulness under field conditions).

What is the role of simulated data in this project?

Simulated datasets are intended to help understand how the model and monitoring approach behave under controlled assumptions, which supports sensitivity analysis and performance evaluation.

What is the role of real-world data in this project?

Real-world data are used to confirm that the approach is useful under field conditions and not only in theoretical or simulated scenarios.

What does the opportunity mean by emphasizing "usability"?

The notice emphasizes that the methods should not remain purely academic. The recipient is expected to draft step-by-step analytical procedures that agency biologists can implement, including users with limited statistical training.

What kinds of deliverables are expected?

Deliverables include a final report and/or manuscript-style products, plus any other supporting materials needed to ensure the framework can be applied in management in a timely manner. The opportunity also specifies step-by-step analytical procedures for agency biologists as a key usability deliverable.

Who is the awarding agency?

The awarding agency is the Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service.

What is the CFDA number and program name associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA is 15.678, and it is associated with the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The Funding Opportunity Number listed is F19AS00297.

When was this funding opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on July 12, 2019.

What was the original application deadline?

The original application deadline was July 17, 2019.

How many awards does the agency expect to make?

The agency expects to make one award.

What is the maximum funding amount for the award?

The maximum funding level (award ceiling) is $110,577.

What type of award is being offered?

The opportunity is described as a discretionary cooperative agreement.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is aimed primarily at public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. The notice also references additional eligible applicant types via an "Additional Information on Eligibility" field.

Does this project connect to broader Department of the Interior priorities?

Yes. The project is positioned as supporting broader financial assistance priorities by using science to identify best practices for natural resource management and to improve the ability to adapt to environmental change.

How does this work relate to the Marine Mammal Protection Act?

The opportunity explicitly aims to improve efficiency and scientific rigor and reduce management uncertainty for sea otters under the Marine Mammal Protection Act by providing a defensible and adaptable monitoring strategy grounded in modern statistical forecasting.

Is the project intended to be academic research only?

No. While the work is quantitatively advanced, the notice stresses that the selected methods must be implementable for management purposes. A specific expectation is that the recipient will provide step-by-step analytical procedures that agency staff can follow.

What management problem is this work trying to solve?

The project is intended to help managers track and anticipate changes in an expanding sea otter population in southeastern Alaska by providing a defensible monitoring framework that can estimate current status and forecast future distribution and abundance.

What does "occupancy and abundance" refer to in the project description?

Within the scope described, "occupancy" refers to estimating where sea otters are present across the region, and "abundance" refers to estimating how many sea otters are present, with both current estimates and forecasts included in the modeling goals.

What is meant by evaluating "performance" of the monitoring approach?

The notice indicates performance should be evaluated through sensitivity analyses and by testing the approach on simulated and real-world datasets. Performance evaluation is also linked to comparing candidate monitoring designs using criteria such as statistical performance, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and ability to detect change over time.

What is the end use of the monitoring framework once developed?

The framework is intended to be applied in sea otter management in a timely manner, improving efficiency, rigor, and reducing uncertainty by providing an adaptive, forecast-capable monitoring strategy that agency biologists can implement.