Frequently Asked Questions
Overview of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units Network
The Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (PNW CESU) is one of 17 regional units in the national Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Network. The CESU Network brings together federal agencies, universities, tribes, nonprofit organizations, and other partners to support collaborative research, technical assistance, and education related to natural and cultural resource management.
CESU Network Quick Facts
- 17 regional CESUs nationwide
- Hosted by universities across the United States
- More than 300 partner institutions
- Supports research, technical assistance, and education
- Focused on natural and cultural resource management
- The PNW CESU is hosted by the University of Washington
What is the CESU Network?
The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Network is a national consortium of federal and non-federal partners that supports collaborative research, technical assistance, and education focused on natural and cultural resource issues. Established in 1999, the network includes 17 regional CESUs hosted by universities across the United States.
CESUs connect federal agencies with universities, tribes, nonprofit organizations, and other partners to develop science-based solutions that support informed resource management and stewardship.
How were CESUs selected?
The CESU Council, consisting of representatives from participating federal agencies, developed criteria for selecting CESUs and initiated a competitive selection process. For each biogeographic region, the Council issued a widely distributed Request for Proposals.
Research universities interested in serving as host institutions submitted detailed proposals that were reviewed by the CESU Council. The first CESUs were established in 1999, and the Pacific Northwest CESU was established in 2000. The selection process concluded in 2003 with the establishment of the seventeenth CESU.
Why is the CESU Network necessary?
Many organizations support research and environmental collaboration, but the CESU Network is unique in its interdisciplinary, multi-agency, and ecosystem-based approach. CESUs provide a framework for federal agencies and non-federal partners to work together on complex natural and cultural resource challenges through cooperative research, technical assistance, and education.
The network helps bridge the gap between science and management by connecting resource managers directly with academic expertise, students, and collaborative partners.
What are the benefits of participating in a CESU?
Participation in a CESU provides opportunities for collaboration across agencies and institutions, access to interdisciplinary expertise, and engagement in applied research that informs real-world management decisions.
Benefits may include:
- Access to a broad network of partners and subject-matter expertise
- Opportunities for collaborative and interdisciplinary research
- Student and workforce development opportunities
- Streamlined partnership infrastructure
- Support for science-based resource management
- Reduced indirect cost rates for CESU cooperative agreements
What kinds of projects qualify as CESU projects?
CESU projects generally involve research, technical assistance, education, or other collaborative activities that support natural or cultural resource management and provide a broader public benefit.
Examples may include:
- Wildlife and habitat research
- Climate adaptation planning
- Cultural resource studies
- GIS and spatial analysis
- Restoration and monitoring projects
- Science communication and outreach
- Student training and workforce development
Projects are typically developed collaboratively between federal and non-federal partners and are administered through cooperative agreements.
Is there a lead Federal Agency of the National CESU Network?
No. The National CESU Network is coordinated and administered by the CESU Council. The Council includes representatives of participating federal agencies operating under a Memorandum of Understanding for the CESU Network. A CESU Council Coordinator is elected by the partners.
CESU Partnerships and Membership
Who can become a CESU partner?
Eligible non-federal partners may include:
- Colleges and universities
- Tribes and tribal organizations
- State and local government agencies
- Nonprofit organizations
- Museums, aquariums, and arboretums
- Other organizations whose missions align with the goals of the CESU Network
Potential partners apply through the host university of an individual CESU. Applications are reviewed collaboratively by existing partners.
How are non-federal partner institutions associated with each CESU selected?
With submission and approval of the proposal to become a CESU host university, non-federal partner institutions become affiliated with the respective regional CESU.
Additional partners may join individual CESUs by submitting an application package to the host university. Applications are reviewed by existing federal and non-federal partners to determine whether the organization’s mission, expertise, and collaborative goals align with those of the CESU Network.
Eligible partners may include universities, tribes and tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations, museums, state and local agencies, and other institutions involved in research, education, or resource stewardship.
If interested in becoming a new PNW CESU non-federal partner, please see the How to Apply for Partnership page.
Can federal and non-federal partners become members in more than one CESU?
Yes. Federal and non-federal partners may participate in more than one CESU.
For federal agencies, participation in multiple CESUs provides access to a broader network of expertise and collaboration opportunities across regions and disciplines. The federal agency must designate technical and administrative representatives for each CESU they join and pay a one-time “entrance fee” of $10,000 to each CESU it joins. Additionally, the agency is required to provide an annual fee of $2,500 to support the administrative operations of the CESU’s host university, and $2,500 to support the national CESU program.
Non-federal partners may join multiple CESUs at no cost, expanding opportunities for collaboration, funding, and engagement with federal partners across the national network.
What responsibilities do CESU partners have?
Participation in the PNW CESU involves ongoing collaboration and communication among federal and non-federal partners to support the mission of the CESU Network. Each partner designates a technical and administrative representative or contact.
These representatives serve as primary points of contact for communication, project coordination, and administrative processes within the CESU.
Federal partners may share funding opportunities, technical assistance requests, and project announcements with CESU partners. Non-federal partners are encouraged to distribute these opportunities within their institutions and respond as appropriate.
Partners are also encouraged to:
- Collaborate on research and technical projects
- Engage students and early-career professionals in CESU activities
- Participate in CESU meetings and partnership activities
- Share project updates, publications, presentations, and outreach materials
- Contribute content and highlights for the PNW CESU website and project database
- Review and process administrative documents in a timely manner
The success of the CESU Network depends on active collaboration and information sharing among partners.
What responsibilities does the host university have?
The University of Washington serves as the host institution for the Pacific Northwest CESU and provides administrative coordination and support for CESU activities.
Host institution responsibilities include:
- Facilitating communication among CESU partners and the National CESU Network
- Coordinating meetings and partnership activities
- Supporting CESU administration and reporting
- Maintaining the PNW CESU website and project database
- Sharing funding opportunities and partner communications
- Participating in national CESU meetings and initiatives
- Preparing required CESU assessment and renewal materials with input from partners
The host university helps maintain the collaborative infrastructure that supports CESU partnerships and projects across the region.
How can I become involved with the PNW CESU?
Researchers, students, agencies, tribes, nonprofit organizations, and other institutions can engage with the PNW CESU through collaborative research, technical assistance projects, funding opportunities, and partnership activities.
Active participation from partners helps strengthen collaboration, information sharing, student engagement, and applied research across the CESU Network.
To learn more:
- Explore current Funding Opportunities
- Contact a federal agency CESU representative
- Review partnership information
- Connect with the PNW CESU office
CESU Agreements and Funding
What are the basic terms of a cooperative and joint venture agreement?
Each regional CESU is established through a cooperative and joint venture agreement that formalizes the partnership among participating federal agencies, the host university, and non-federal partners.
These agreements outline:
- CESU objectives and governance
- Roles and responsibilities of partners
- Procedures for funding and project administration
- Agreement duration and renewal processes
- Applicable Facilities and Administrative (F&A) or indirect cost rates
PNW CESU agreements are renewed every five years. Current and past agreements are available on the Master Agreements page.
What is the indirect cost rate on CESU projects?
The indirect cost rate established by the CESU National Council is currently 17.5% for participating federal agencies in the PNW CESU. An exception exists for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, which operates under a 10% rate established through legislation for cooperative agreements. For comparison, the average overhead rate across top U.S. research institutions (public and private) is around 50%.
What is the term or duration of the CESU cooperative and joint venture agreement?
Each regional CESU cooperative and joint venture agreement remains in effect for five years.
The renewal process is designed to ensure that each CESU continues to effectively meet the needs of participating federal and non-federal partners. Renewal includes documentation of CESU accomplishments, partner review and evaluation, external peer review, and final review by the CESU National Council.
The National CESU website provides additional guidance on the renewal process.
Financial Assistance: Cooperative Agreements
What is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement is a financial assistance mechanism used to transfer funds from a federal agency to a non-federal entity when the primary purpose is to support a public benefit authorized by federal statute.
Cooperative agreements may support research, technical assistance, education, training, or other collaborative activities aligned with CESU objectives. Processes and policies for awarding cooperative agreements vary by agency.
How are CESU projects funded?
CESU projects are funded through cooperative agreements between federal agencies and CESU partners. The CESU Network itself is not a funding source; rather, it provides a collaborative framework that allows partners to work together on research, technical assistance, and education projects.
Funding opportunities may be shared through agency announcements, requests for statements of interest, or direct collaboration between federal and non-federal partners.
How does a cooperative agreement differ from a procurement contract with a federal agency?
CESU projects are designed to serve a public purpose, such as promoting education, career training, and stewardship of natural and cultural resources.
Unlike procurement contracts, cooperative agreements involve active collaboration between federal and non-federal partners throughout the project. This collaboration may include technical guidance, coordination, data collection, analysis, and outreach activities.
Because CESU projects emphasize partnership and shared involvement, cooperative agreements provide a framework that supports collaborative research and applied resource management.
Non-Federal Partners: Funding Opportunities and Proposal Preparation
How do I learn about funding opportunities?
Funding opportunities, including requests for statements of interest, qualifications, or pre-proposals, are posted on the Funding Opportunities page and distributed to technical and administrative representatives of PNW CESU partner institutions.
Based on agency review of submitted materials, a lead principal investigator may be invited to submit a full proposal.
Are there more informal ways to learn about agency funding initiatives?
Yes. Non-federal scientists and researchers are encouraged to connect directly with federal agency CESU representatives and resource managers to learn about current management needs, emerging issues, and areas of scientific interest.
These conversations can help build collaborative relationships and may lead to future funding opportunities or project development.
If invited to submit a full proposal, where can I find information on the agency’s proposal guidelines and required forms?
Each federal agency has its own proposal preparation and submission requirements. Applicants should consult their agency contact for agency-specific guidance and forms.
Additional information is available on the How to Initiate a PNW CESU Project page.
Federal Partners: Using a CESU Cooperative Agreement
How do federal partners learn of non-federal partner expertise?
Federal partners can use the Project Database page to identify principal investigators and institutions working on projects related to specific resource management topics or areas of expertise. Partners are also encouraged to share project highlights, publications, presentations, and outreach materials through the PNW CESU website and project database to support collaboration and information sharing across the network.
How do federal partners announce a funding opportunity?
Federal agencies often prepare a request for statements of interest and submit it to the PNW CESU office for distribution.
Current and past funding opportunities are posted on the Funding Opportunities page. Announcement formats and processes vary by agency, and some agencies may also post opportunities through Grants.gov.
How do federal partners execute projects?
Federal partners should work with their agency’s CESU technical representatives, administrative representatives, and financial assistance staff to initiate and administer CESU projects.
Agency-specific guidance and procedures may vary.