National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers

 

To enable the National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers (NRCASC) to be responsive to the research and management needs of Federal and State agencies by working with partners to provide science and technical support regarding the impacts of climate change in fish, wildlife, plants and ecological processes and the mechanisms for adaptation to, mitigation of, or prevention of those impacts. Center activities will focus on providing national and regional habitat and population modeling and forecasting tools, integrating physical climate models with ecological models, assessing vulnerabilities and forecasting changes, and developing standardized approaches.

Active 15.820 U.S. Geological Survey, Department of The Interior B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2017 No current data available. Approximately 50 climate change science project grants or cooperative agreements (new or continued from prior years) across eight DOI CSCs and NCCWSC totaling approximately $6.5 Million.
Fiscal Year 2018 In FY 2018 the NRCASC program funded over 48 projects totaling $6.0 Million that address the DOI priorities.
Fiscal Year 2019 In FY 2019 the NRCASC program receiving over 100 applications and issued approximately 50 project awards totaling approximately $6.5 Million focused on the DOI priorities.
Fiscal Year 2020 Past Fiscal Year (2020) FY2020 Overview: 92 Research Projects; 40 datasets and tools and 180 Science Articles. In Fiscal Year 2020 (October 2019-September 2020), the National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASC) worked closely with partners and stakeholders to accomplish a multitude of science-based achievements. Some highlights include creating a framework for measuring the ability of plants and animals to adapt to climate change, integrating climate science with local knowledge in Hawai’i, providing climate-related training for students and professionals, incorporating scenario planning into national monument adaptation planning and more. Through these activities, the CASC program continues to find new ways to create and share climate adaptation science with resource managers and users. Some of the projects included: • Climate Vulnerability of Aquatic Species to Changing Stream Temperatures and Wildfire Across the Yukon and Kuskokwim River Basins, Alaska • The Influence of Stream Flow Patterns on Juvenile Salmon Growth in Southeast Alaska • Science to Inform the Management of Mangrove Ecosystems Undergoing Sea Level Rise at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel Island, Florida • Understanding Impacts of Sea-Level Rise and Land Management on Critical Coastal Marsh Habitat
Fiscal Year 2021 In Fiscal Year 2021, the National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASC) Program initiated approximately 70 science research projects. Obligations for the CASC science projects will be made under the program activity via grants or cooperative agreement awards through the USGS Office of Acquisitions and Grants (OAG). The annual report for Fiscal Year 2021 will be available following the end of the fiscal year and provide the current year accomplishments.
Fiscal Year 2022 Past Fiscal Year (2022) Fiscal Year 2022: The National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) continued to bring together scientific researchers with natural and cultural resource managers and local communities to help fish, wildlife, waters, and lands across the country adapt to changing conditions through research of the expansion of invasive species to wildfire, from drought to sea-level rise, and new and evolving challenges for ecosystems across the nation.
Fiscal Year 2023 Current Fiscal Year (2023) Fiscal Year 2023: The National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) will continue to bring together scientific researchers with natural and cultural resource managers and local communities to help fish, wildlife, waters, and lands across the country adapt to changing conditions through research of the expansion of invasive species to wildfire, from drought to sea-level rise, and new and evolving challenges for ecosystems across the nation.
Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Fiscal Year (2024) Fiscal Year 2024: The National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) will continue to bring together scientific researchers with natural and cultural resource managers and local communities to help fish, wildlife, waters, and lands across the country adapt to changing conditions through research of the expansion of invasive species to wildfire, from drought to sea-level rise, and new and evolving challenges for ecosystems across the nation. Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008, Public Law 110-161, Public Law 110-161, 43 U.S.C. 36(d) There are eight (8) DOI Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers (RCASC); each CASC has a single "Host Institution" that is eligible to apply on behalf of themselves and members of the CASC university consortium: Alaska CASC: University of Alaska, Fairbanks; Southeast CASC: North Carolina State University, Raleigh; Northwest CASC: University of Washington, Seattle; Southwest CASC: University of Arizona, Tucson; North Central CASC: University of Colorado, Boulder; South Central CASC: Oklahoma University, Norman; Northeast CASC: University of Massachusetts, Amherst; Pacific Islands CASC: University of Hawaii, Manoa. Research scientists, policy makers, natural resource managers, educators, and the general public will benefit from the program. Proposals must furnish evidence of the applicant's qualifications for performance of the proposed education, outreach, science coordination and research activities. Preapplication coordination is not applicable. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. This program is subject to the provisions of 2 CFR Part 200 and Department of the Interior regulations 2 CFR Part 1402. Application form Standard Form (SF) 424 must be used. The application requirements as contained in the announcement package and the above regulations must be used for this program. Applications may be made only through the internet site http://www.grants.gov. Notification of an award is by receipt of a grant or cooperative agreement from a U.S. Geological Survey contracting officer. Contact the headquarters (or regional office, as appropriate) for application deadlines. Four to six months after submittal of proposal or Bureau receipt of appropriations, whichever is later. Not applicable. Awards for specific scientific activities and research may be from one to several years depending upon the subject matter. Renewals will be subject to adequate reporting and performance and are also subject to the availability of funds. Application proposals will be reviewed by the appropriate geographical DOI CASC Center Director and/or the headquarters NCASC Chief to ensure projects fall within the authorized program purpose. Criteria for judging applications will include scientific excellence and relevance to the solution of important problems within the mission of the Department of the Interior. Applications will be funded only to the extent permitted by available funds. The Department of the Interior (DOI) Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers were developed according to a consistent national strategy and are managed at the national level by the National Climate Adaptation Science Center (NCASC). National coordination of research, modeling, and other scientific and data management matters at the DOI CASCs will ensure uniformity of downscaling and forecasting models and standardized information to support management of fish and wildlife resources and regional partnership collaborations. NCASC will develop cooperative agreements and/or grants with the DOI CSCs at the primary hosting Universities to conduct specific research, data gathering, data management and similar scientific activities. For further information, please contact the NCASC or Regional DOI CASC office. Performance Reports: Recipients are responsible for monitoring performance for each award and sub-award under this program in accordance with 2 CFR 200. Recipients are subject to the audit requirements of 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F. Records shall be retained and made available for audit for 3 years after submission of final financial report. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is voluntary. Recipients are encouraged to share in the cost of each project.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Program obligates funds and sends a notice of award to successful applicants. Recipients request funds in accordance with 2 CFR 200, Subpart E-Cost Principles, unless otherwise dictated by program-specific legislation or special award terms. Program will include any special payment terms and conditions in the notice of award. Recipients request payment as needed throughout the award period. Headquarters National Regional Climate Adaptation Science Center (HQ NRCASC) Nadine Hartke,
Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center (NCCWSC), 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS-516
Reston, VA 20192 US
nhartke@usgs.gov
Phone: (703) 648-4607 https://www.usgs.gov/programs/climate-adaptation-science-centers 14-0804-0-1-306 (Cooperative Agreements (Discretionary Grants)) FY 22$22,000,000.00; FY 23 est $24,000,000.00; FY 24 est $26,000,000.00; FY 21$19,500,000.00; FY 20$17,687,565.00; FY 19$6,500,000.00; FY 18$6,000,000.00; FY 17$6,500,000.00; - The FY 2024 obligation estimate is subject to the availability of appropriations provided by Congress. Past Fiscal Year (2022): Up to $1,400,000 Past Fiscal Year (2022) per award. Current Fiscal Year (2023): Up to $1,800,000 Current Fiscal Year (2023) per award. Budget Fiscal Year (2024): Up to $1,800,000 Future Fiscal Year (2024) per award. FY 23 and FY 24 estimates are based on previous year funding. Final funding will be based on the availability of future funds. Not applicable. Fiscal Year 2017 Information not available. Many of our projects are on a regional-scale, answering questions that relate to ecosystems, coastlines, or landscapes that cross state boundaries. Various projects were initiated in FY 2017 across eight (8) Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers. Our science projects resulted in the release of over 165 new publications and over 115 new datasets. New findings from one NCASC-supported study revealed that hybridization, or the interbreeding of species, is increasing between native and invasive trout across the northern Rocky Mountains. These interactions pose a serious threat to biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems and may have important implications for resource managers and anglers. Also in FY17, the Northeast and North Central CASCs were honored for their leadership in helping the nation’s natural resources become more resilient to the impacts of a changing world. The Northeast CASC was recognized for their work with the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to develop the Massachusetts Wildlife Climate Action Tool to help resource managers access information on the vulnerabilities of fish, wildlife and habitats; and explore adaptation actions to promote resilient natural communities. The North Central CASC was recognized for their work with the Wind River Tribal Water Engineer’s Office and Water Resources Control Board and other partners to support drought preparedness on the Wind River Reservation. The North Central CASC was also recognized for the project “Building Social and Ecological Resilience to Climate Change in Southwestern Colorado” which is an on-going project studying the impacts of climate change as it relates to higher temperatures, prolonged drought, accelerated snowmelt, larger and more intense fires, and extreme storms as well as the spread of invasive species. These changes put livelihoods, ecosystems and species at risk. The project focuses communities in southwestern Colorado’s San Juan and Gunnison river basins, this project will expand opportunities for scientists, land managers, and affected residents to identify actions that can support resilience and adaptation in the face of changing climate conditions. Projects in FY 2017 were selected based on CSC Science Plans and directed science initiatives. Projects were both internally funded (USGS and other Federal Agencies) and externally funded (via Cooperative Agreements or Grants).
Fiscal Year 2018 Improving Forecasts of Glacier Outburst Flood Events (AK CASC); Developing Adaptation Strategies for Recreational and Tribal Fisheries in the Upper Midwest (NACS) and Mapping Conservation Management Efforts to Increase Coordination in the Rio Grande Basin (South Central CASC)
Fiscal Year 2019 The NRCASC Program funded projects that addressed the DOI Priorities
Fiscal Year 2020 Research projects and studies in Fiscal Year 2020 addressed natural resource management challenges: • Identify potential for invasive species to threaten native species, such as by spreading disease. • Impacts on land-use and land-cover. • Developments in Glacier Outburst Flood Modeling project in Juneau – identify multiple factors that could influence the magnitude of future floods. • Climate change projections and assessments. • Ecosystem vulnerability and species response to climate variability and change. • Impacts on Atlantic and Great Lakes coastal and nearshore environments • Impacts of climate variability and change on cultural resources. • Decision frameworks for evaluating risk and managing natural resources under climate change. • Impacts on freshwater resources and ecosystems.
Fiscal Year 2021 Current research focuses on an "actionable science" model, where scientists work closely with partners such as resource managers, native communities, universities, and NGOs to produce results, data, and tools that can be directly applied to helping fish, wildlife, ecosystems, and communities adapt to climate change. In Fiscal Year 2021 the CASC program expects to initiate approximately 70 research projects.
Fiscal Year 2022 Past Fiscal Year: Actual (2022) Fiscal Year 2022: Prior Fiscal Year 2022 CASC program projects conducted research in the areas of wildlife and plants, drought, fire and extreme weather, wildlife and plants, water, coasts and ice, landscapes, native communities, National synthesis for aquatic flows, and science tools for managers. Examples of funded projects include: Integrating Permafrost, Wildfire, and Terrestrial Change Models in the Arctic; Updating Drought Indices in South-Central; Using Open-Source Data and Machine Learning to Predict Flood Damage Probability; Coastal Wetland Restoration; Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience for Tribes and Pueblos; State of the Science in Streamflow Modeling to Address Partner Needs for Water Availability Under Drought Conditions; and Developing Cave Conservation Management Toolbox by Exploring Cave Miroclimates and Biodiversity Patterns.
Fiscal Year 2023 Current Fiscal Year: Projections (2023) Fiscal Year 2023: Current Fiscal Year 2023 CASC program will continue to conduct research in the areas of Drought; Fire and Extreme Weather; Landscapes; Indigenous Peoples; Science Tools for Managers; Water, Coasts and Ice; and Wildlife and Plants. Examples of on-going funded projects include: Co-producing Climate Research and Adaptation through Partnerships with Native Communities; Effect of Extreme Tidal Events on Future Sea-Level Rise Scenarios; Integrating Indigenous Knowledge and Paleoperspectives to Inform Climate Change Adaptation; Maximizing Trap Efficiency on Lummi Nation Estuarine Habitats to Reduce Ecosystem Impacts from Invasive European Green Crab; Biodiversity Assessments Projects; and U.S. Global Climate Response Program; Improve Predictions of Ecosystem Services; Typhoon Response with Drone Surveys; Support Wild Rice Production Under a Changing Climate; Large-Landscape Conservation Planning Tool; Ambitious Mapping Project of Corals; Grassland Regional Priority and Impacts of Climate Change; Southwest Fire and Climate Adaptation.
Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Fiscal Year: Projection (2024) Fiscal Year 2024: Fiscal Year 2024 CASC program will continue to conduct research in the areas of Drought; Fire and Extreme Weather; Landscapes; Indigenous Peoples; Science Tools for Managers; Water; Coasts and Ice; and Wildlife and Plants. Examples of on-gong funded projects include Enhancing Climate Adaptation for Native Communities; Linking Pollinator Diversity and Abundance to Berry Production in a Rapidly Changing Environment; and a Climate-Informed Adaptation and Post-Fire Strategy for the Southwestern Region.