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Easy Money: Why UF Faculty Should be Using Cooperative Ecosystem Unit Network

By Patrick Heck

Federal funding comes in all shapes and sizes. Not every project team is awarded millions in grant dollars. But in a time of ever tightening budgets, every penny matters. As more faculty compete for fewer dollars, those seeking access to alternative sources of funding will succeed. As the UF representative to the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network, the School of Natural Resources and Environment ensures that one channel for federal dollars remains open.

For the past six years, SNRE has maintained UF's relationship with the CESU network (specifically the Piedmont-South Atlantic, Gulf Coast and South Florida-Caribbean CESUs) that is a broadly interdisciplinary and ecosystem-oriented working partnership that provides scientific research, technical assistance and education to more than 17 federal agencies. SNRE acts in an administrative role, filing renewals, tracking projects, attending MOA meetings, and coordinating research opportunities with faculty. When typical requests-for-proposals come through CESU channels, SNRE ensures faculty members receive the announcements.

The process sounds simple enough, right?

Unlike the typical competitive grant process, funding through the CESU depends on one's ability to network successfully. This has so far decreased participation and increased reluctance to approach an unfamiliar source of funding. Steven Humphrey described CESU opportunities as "a pass no one uses," referencing the millions of dollars that passed through the CESU network, not captured by the UF faculty. From 2000-07 a minimum of 32 UF projects totaling $2.6M were funded through these agreements, and that's just a drop in the bucket. A few SNRE affiliated faculty have proven that this system works and can help faculty gain access to a pipeline of future funding.

Over the past three years Dr. Jean-Claude Bonzongo, an Environmental Engineering professor, has received more than $120,000 in funding from the National Park Service (NPS) for research on heavy metals in national parks ecosystems. Dr. Bonzongo first became aware of the CESU through email announcements by SNRE's Associate Director Nancy Peterson, UF's administrative contact to the CESU. Once Bonzongo met with the NPS representative it was smooth sailing, so to speak. "Once you're in, they have your card and expertise. My second opportunity came from when the original project director called, hoping I could work with him again."

Nancy Peterson calls that experience being in the pipeline. "Once you're plugged in to the network, they know who you are. You'll be able to work all over the country on research that interests you. You'll have a champion within the agency to help secure your funding, through end of the year funds or future budget requests," Peterson explains. "Without this system, many projects wouldn't get funded. The personal relationships a faculty member cultivates have helped shape agency budgets over the last five years."

Dr. Bonzongo says "this is relatively easy money" when compared to the complex proposal submission and review processes typical of national funding agencies such as NSF, EPA, DOE, and USDA to name a few. "What they ask you to do is simple and the application process quite easy," Bonzongo explains. The application process is easy, because agency representatives pre-screen faculty for the appropriate expertise. "You call the agency rep before submitting a proposal and if you aren't the expert they need, there is no time wasted in submitting a proposal," added Bonzongo.

Building the relationships with the agency representative is valuable for the faculty member as it is how one gets on the inside track for funding. After the agency has screened its applicants they accept a small number of proposals. Because they know what you can offer and you've created that personal connection, "your success rate for receiving funding becomes very high," explained Bonzongo.

Others have had similar success. Dr. Humphrey, through a contact at NPS secured funding for five post-doctoral positions in the Florida Everglades worth more than $575,000. Dr. Frank Mazzoti of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation has also done well in South Florida's pipeline. For two projects, he received more than $700,000. UF's success in the Gulf Coast has also been exceptional; Debbie Miller secured $45,000 in funding to study dune restoration and species adaptation to ecosystems impacted by hurricanes.

The third CESU which UF is apart, the Piedmont-South Atlantic has yet to receive UF faculty attention. More than $5 million in federally funded projects have gone through the Piedmont-South Atlantic CESU, with almost none directed for UF faculty. "This is a missed opportunity," Nancy Peterson added, "Once our faculty members build relationships with agency representatives in this CESU, I have no doubt that UF will become a major resource for the region."

For more information on our involvement in the CESU network and how you can become an active member, visit http://www.snre.ufl.edu/pubsevents/cesu/ or contact Nancy Peterson via email at njp@ufl.edu.

SNRE provides additional resources for grant-seeking faculty

In addition to providing resources for the CESU, SNRE provides a uniquely different approach to finding potential collaborations through our 290+ affiliated faculty members in 56 different academic departments. SNRE also offers administrative help to affiliated faculty members with notices about funding opportunities through regular announcements, online funding database and direct individual emails.

• SNRE's CESU page - http://www.snre.ufl.edu/pubsevents/cesu/

• Piedmont-South Atlantic - http://psaccesu.uga.edu/

• Gulf Coast - http://gccesu.tamu.edu/

• South Florida-Caribbean - http://mgg.rsmas.miami.edu/sfcesu/index.asp