Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with Pacific Northwest Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) | G25AS00253

Opportunity Information: Apply for G25AS00253

The US Geological Survey (USGS), through its Western Fisheries Research Center, is offering a discretionary cooperative agreement to support research on how a key tire-derived pollutant, 6PPD-quinone, interacts with other tire-related chemicals commonly found in stormwater runoff, and what those combined exposures mean for salmon health. 6PPD-quinone is already known to be the primary chemical linked to sudden pre-spawn mortality in coho salmon, a phenomenon widely referred to as Urban Runoff Mortality Syndrome (as reported in Tian et al. 2021 and 2022). While 6PPD-quinone has been identified as the causative agent, the broader reality is that stormwater contains mixtures of tire-derived compounds, and there is still a major knowledge gap around whether these mixtures create additive or synergistic hazards that could worsen outcomes for fish beyond what 6PPD-quinone alone would predict.

The work funded under this opportunity is focused on clarifying those hazard relationships using controlled exposure research. One major emphasis is survival studies that test environmentally measurable concentrations of tire-derived chemicals, meaning concentrations that reflect what is actually observed in stormwater runoff rather than unrealistically high laboratory doses. A critical requirement embedded in the description is the capability to verify and confirm chemical concentrations during studies, so the exposure levels used are accurate, stable, and defensible when compared to real-world stormwater measurements. This indicates the project will likely rely on strong analytical chemistry support alongside fish toxicology, because the credibility of the hazard conclusions depends on demonstrating that the test concentrations match realistic environmental conditions.

A second major component involves sublethal exposure studies designed to detect impacts that may not immediately cause death but can still reduce survival and reproductive success in the wild. The opportunity specifically points to methods that assess relative fitness, such as swim performance testing or closely related physiological performance metrics. These types of endpoints can reveal whether chemical mixtures impair endurance, stress tolerance, or overall condition in ways that could make salmon less able to migrate, avoid predators, or complete spawning even if they do not die during short-term exposures. Taken together, the lethal and sublethal components are intended to build a more complete understanding of risk from tire-chemical mixtures and to identify whether combined exposures change the severity or nature of toxic effects compared to single-chemical exposure.

This funding is issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program, which is structured around partnerships that provide research, technical assistance, and education capacity to federal agencies. Eligibility is limited to organizations that are already participating partners of the Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU). The award is a cooperative agreement, which typically means USGS expects substantial involvement in the project during performance (for example, collaboration on study design, data interpretation, coordination, or other joint scientific participation), rather than a hands-off grant relationship.

Key opportunity details from the source information include: Funding Opportunity Title, "Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with Pacific Northwest Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)"; Funding Opportunity Number G25AS00253; agency USGS (Geological Survey); assistance listing CFDA 15.808; activity category "Science and Technology and other Research and Development"; instrument type "Cooperative Agreement"; eligibility limited to CESU partners (listed under "Others"); an award ceiling of $228,000; and an application closing date of 2025-03-11 (original closing date). The overall purpose is to produce actionable science on how 6PPD-quinone and other tire-derived chemicals in stormwater may jointly affect salmon survival and fitness, helping refine hazard characterization for urban runoff exposures.

• The Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with Pacific Northwest Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (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 2025-02-11.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-03-11. (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 $228,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for G25AS00253

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