Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

The U.S. Geological Survey, a bureau within the U.S. Department of the Interior, is offering a cooperative agreement funding opportunity under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units program. This program supports collaborative research partnerships among federal agencies, universities, and other organizations to address natural resource challenges. This specific opportunity is designed for a participating partner within the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit and focuses on advancing scientific understanding of bison ecology across the western United States. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support research that examines the ecology, movement patterns, and resource use of free-ranging bison populations. The research aligns with Executive Order 14303, Restoring Gold Standard Science, and emphasizes rigorous, data-driven methodologies. The project will involve a combination of field-based data collection and analytical modeling, including the use of accelerometer data derived from GPS collars. The work will span three National Park units and focus on ensuring that bison populations are not negatively impacting park resources while improving overall habitat management strategies. Funding under this opportunity is limited, with a single cooperative agreement anticipated. The total available funding is $48,941, which represents both the award ceiling and the total program funding. The period of performance is expected to be approximately five months, with a project start date around October 1, 2026, and an end date of February 28, 2027. Funds are expected to be fully obligated at the time of award, and there is no cost sharing or matching requirement associated with this opportunity. Eligibility for this opportunity is restricted to organizations that are official partners within the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit. These partnerships typically include universities, research institutions, and other entities that have established agreements with the CESU network. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to conduct advanced ecological modeling and field research, particularly involving large datasets such as GPS and accelerometer data. Experience with wildlife ecology, especially ungulate movement and spatial analysis, is strongly emphasized. Applicants must submit their proposals electronically through Grants.gov. Required application components include standard federal forms such as the SF-424, SF-424A, and additional research-specific documentation including a project narrative, budget justification, data management plan, and biographical sketches. The project narrative must detail the research problem, objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and dissemination plans. Applicants must also demonstrate compliance with federal requirements such as SAM.gov registration and provide detailed budget breakdowns aligned with federal cost principles. Applications will be evaluated through a structured review process conducted by U.S. Geological Survey technical personnel. Evaluation criteria include the clarity and relevance of the proposed research, the technical approach, the reasonableness of the budget, and the qualifications and past performance of the applicant. The review process includes eligibility screening, merit review, and risk assessment. Final award decisions are made by a contracting officer based on technical evaluations and program priorities. The application deadline for this opportunity is July 5, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Applicants are encouraged to ensure all registrations and documentation are completed well in advance of the deadline due to the complexity of federal submission requirements. Questions regarding the opportunity can be directed to Rachel Miller via email. This funding opportunity is not recurring and represents a targeted, single-cycle investment in advancing bison ecology research through collaborative federal and academic partnerships.

Emphasize experience with large ecological datasets and modeling; clearly align objectives with USGS goals; ensure budget justification is detailed and reasonable; demonstrate collaboration capacity with federal scientists