Ohio University joins research network that offers new external funding opportunities

Ohio University has been accepted into the Chesapeake Watershed regional unit of the national Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Network. The membership offers Ohio University faculty and staff external funding opportunities with a specific set of federal agency partners.

The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Network is a national consortium of federal agencies, tribes, academic institutions, state and local governments, nongovernmental conservation organizations and other partners working together to support informed public trust resource stewardship. The CESU Network includes more than 400 nonfederal partners and 15 federal agencies across 17 units representing biogeographic regions encompassing all 50 states and U.S. territories.

The 17 CESUs bring together scientists, resource managers, students and professionals to draw upon expertise from across the biological, physical, social, cultural and engineering disciplines to conduct collaborative and multidisciplinary applied research projects. Many of the project opportunities address natural and cultural heritage resource issues in an ecosystem context. The federal partners affiliated with the network regularly seek CESU partners to engage in a wide-range of research topics.

Ohio University is now a member of two of the 17 units. In 2016, the institution joined the network’s Southern Appalachian Mountains unit. This membership has resulted in more than $140,000 in funded research projects to date. Federal agency partners currently include:

• Bureau of Indian Affairs

• Bureau of Land Management

• Department of Defense

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

• National Park Service

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

• U.S. Geological Survey

• U.S.D.A. Forest Service

• U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service

“The CESU Network opens a variety of doors for Ohio University, not only with the 10 federal agency partners represented across our two units, but across the network at large,” said Elissa Welch, project manager with Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs. “CESU partners are informed of funding notices, requests for statements of interest, and student internship opportunities that enhance our research activities. Getting the word out about CESU campus-wide will increase our ability to engage in externally funded projects.”

For questions, to pursue a CESU funding opportunity, or to receive email updates about CESU, including notification of an upcoming campus visit by CESU personnel, please contact welche@ohio.edu or (740) 537-0112.

The 2018 Biennial CESU Network National Meeting will occur June 5-7 in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Participants can connect virtually to the conference sessions. More information can be found at http://www.cesu.psu.edu/meetings_of_interest/2018_CESU_National_Meeting/2018_CESU_National_Meeting.html.