Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with North Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G22AS00381

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is a US Geological Survey (USGS) discretionary funding opportunity issued as a cooperative agreement to advance the science needed to better predict hurricane-driven coastal impacts. The work centers on improving a coupled ocean circulation (currents and water levels) and wave modeling system for the US East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico.

What is the main goal of the project?

The main goal is to develop and improve a coupled ocean and wave modeling system that can simulate how extreme events, especially hurricanes, affect coastal areas. The emphasis is on improving reliability and accuracy of simulations in the coastal zone where waves, storm surge, and currents interact.

Why does the opportunity emphasize "coupled" ocean and wave modeling?

Hurricanes produce multiple hazards at the same time: storm-driven currents and elevated water levels occur alongside intense waves that change as they move toward shore. Forecast accuracy depends not only on modeling each process, but also on capturing the feedbacks between them. Coupling enables two-way interaction between ocean and wave processes, which is highlighted as necessary to improve extreme-event forecasts.

What does "two-way interaction" mean in this context?

Two-way interaction means the ocean model influences the wave model and the wave model influences the ocean model. For example, ocean currents and water levels can change how waves propagate, refract, shoal, and dissipate. At the same time, waves can affect currents and water levels through wave-driven momentum transfer and changes in nearshore circulation that can modify storm surge patterns and coastal flooding dynamics.

What geographic areas are targeted by this work?

The project focus is on hurricane-driven coastal impacts affecting the US East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico.

What coastal hazards is the modeling system intended to address?

Based on the description, the modeling system is intended to better represent interacting hurricane-driven hazards in coastal zones, including storm-driven ocean currents, elevated water levels (storm surge), and intense waves as they evolve toward shore, along with the feedbacks among these processes that affect coastal flooding dynamics.

What kinds of improvements are expected from the funded work?

A strong project would contribute research and development that makes coupled ocean-wave simulations more reliable under hurricane conditions, particularly in shallow coastal waters where seafloor and coastline shape wave behavior and where wave-surge-current interactions are strongest.

How does improved model coupling support coastal communities and resource managers?

The opportunity states that more accurate extreme-event forecasts support better preparedness and decision-making. Improved coupled modeling is intended to strengthen forecasts for hazard assessment and response planning along vulnerable US coastlines.

What type of award is this?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.

What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement rather than a typical grant?

The description indicates that a cooperative agreement typically involves substantial federal agency involvement during the project. This can include collaboration on technical direction, coordination, or joint development work, rather than a fully hands-off approach.

Which program framework is this opportunity issued under?

Funding is offered under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) framework, specifically tied to the North Atlantic Coast CESU.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to applicants that are already participating partners within the North Atlantic Coast CESU network.

If an organization is not a North Atlantic Coast CESU partner, can it apply?

Not under the eligibility description provided. The opportunity specifies that eligibility is limited to existing participating partners within the North Atlantic Coast CESU network.

Which federal agency is sponsoring the opportunity?

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

What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is G22AS00381.

What is the CFDA number and category listed for this opportunity?

The CFDA is 15.808, and the category is listed as Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

How much funding is available?

The award ceiling is listed as $350,000.

How many awards are expected?

The notice indicates that an award is anticipated, but the expected number of awards is not quantified in the provided information.

When was the opportunity created and when did it close?

The opportunity was created on May 31, 2022, and the original closing date was July 1, 2022.

What scientific or technical problem is the program trying to solve?

The program is addressing the challenge that hurricanes generate complex, interacting coastal hazards. The opportunity highlights that accurate forecasts require representing both the individual processes (currents, water levels, waves) and the feedbacks between them, especially nearshore where interactions can strongly influence coastal impacts.

Why are shallow coastal waters specifically mentioned?

Shallow coastal waters are highlighted because the seafloor and coastline strongly shape wave behavior. In these areas, ocean currents and water levels can significantly affect wave propagation, refraction, shoaling, and dissipation, making coupled modeling particularly important.

What is the intended outcome of the funded effort?

The intended outcome is an improved modeling capability that better represents the physical processes driving coastal impacts during hurricanes, strengthening forecasts used for hazard assessment and response planning along the US East Coast and Gulf of Mexico.