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Ecosystems Science Support Partnership

Science Support Partnership (SSP)

Meeting Science Needs

Through the Science Support Partnership (SSP) Program, the U.S. Geological Survey partners with the Fish and Wildlife Service to understand and provide the critical science information required to effectively manage our nation’s resources. 

“Within the funds provided for the Biological Research Division, the managers have earmarked $3,400,000 for mission-critical science support for the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The managers reiterate that these funds are for research needs solely identified by FWS..."

FY2001 Conference Report on Department of the Interior Appropriations

Program History

In FY 2001, the USGS devoted $3.4 million per year to the SSP program that meets priority science needs identified by the FWS.  An additional $750,000 of funding from the former Species At Risk program has since been included, increasing the total level of SSP funding to $4.1 million annually. Through this partnership, the USGS has undertaken 350 projects in support of FWS local, regional, and national programs such as: 

• Migratory bird management
• Endangered species recovery
• Freshwater fisheries restoration
• Ecosystem-based management
• Coastal habitat conservation
• Fish and wildlife law enforcement
• National Wildlife Refuge System management

Though the SSP program has been in place for a relatively short time, it has already provided tremendous benefits to FWS efforts in conserving our nation’s fish and wildlife resources.

Current Details

The FY2013 edition of SSP supported 77 total SSP projects, 33 of which are new. Quick Response supports 18 awards. Some studies were funded by both SSP and QRP (see award announcement).

The FY2012 edition of SSP supported 88 total SSP projects, 34 of which are new. Quick Response made 15 awards. Some studies were funded by both SSP and QRP (see award announcement).

In FY2011, SSP will fund 84 projects 28 of which are new awards and 56 are ongoing activities. The Quick Response Program will fund 17 sngle-year proejcts (see award announcement).

SSP will fund 94 activities in FY2010, 51 of which are new. The average project is receiving $43,500, with ranges from $3,000 to $128,000.

Selections for FY2008 were announced on October 18, 2007. This year SSP will be funding 94 activities, 33 of which are new. The average project received about $43,000 this year, and ranged from $1,300 to $112,000.

In FY2007, SSP is funding 90 activities total, 45 of which were new for the year (more on 2007 selections). The average project was in the area of $41,000 per year, and ranged from roughly $1,500 to $112,000.

In FY2006, SSP funded 89 activities total, 33 of which were new for the year. The average project was in the area of $40,000 per year, and ranged from roughly $4,000 to $180,000.  

Project Planning 

Each year, the FWS research coordinators from each region and the Washington Office issue a call for research proposals. Local FWS sponsors and USGS scientists collaborate in writing proposals for studies to address FWS mission-critical science needs.

The FWS Regional and Washington Offices review, prioritize, and recommend projects based on the funds available. Once FWS and USGS leaders approve the projects selected, SSP funds are distributed to USGS Science Centers and Cooperative Research Units to support the studies identified.  FWS sponsors and USGS scientists work closely together to complete the project and implement its results.  Further details on this process may be found on the Study Approval Process and Funding Process pages.