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 to support a research partnership under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units program. This program is designed to facilitate collaboration among federal agencies, universities, and other partners to conduct research, provide technical assistance, and deliver educational outcomes that support resource management. This specific opportunity focuses on advancing scientific tools and methodologies that improve decision-making related to invasive species management across the United States. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to enhance the invasive species habitat tool known as INHABIT. This web-based tool is used by land managers and practitioners to identify, monitor, and respond to invasive species threats. The proposed research aims to improve the tool’s ability to deliver actionable, science-based products, including habitat suitability models, phenology models, and invasive species watch lists. These outputs are intended to support early detection, inform treatment timing, and reduce the long-term ecological and economic impacts of invasive species through more efficient management strategies. Funding under this opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement, indicating substantial involvement between the USGS and the selected recipient. The total estimated program funding is $490,000, with one award anticipated. The project is expected to span five years, including a base year and four additional budget periods contingent on performance and funding availability. Allowable uses of funds include research personnel, data analysis, tool development, dissemination of results, and collaboration activities. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement associated with this opportunity. Eligibility is restricted to partners within the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit. These entities typically include universities and research institutions that are formally affiliated with the CESU network. Applicants must demonstrate the capability to conduct interdisciplinary research involving invasion ecology, statistical modeling, remote sensing, and web application development. Collaboration is strongly encouraged, and the selected partner is expected to integrate multiple areas of expertise into a cohesive research effort aligned with USGS priorities. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes standard federal forms such as the SF-424, budget documentation, a project narrative, and supporting materials such as biographical sketches and data management plans. The project narrative must clearly outline the research problem, objectives, methods, expected outcomes, and dissemination strategy. Applicants must also provide detailed budget justifications and demonstrate compliance with federal regulations related to financial management and reporting. Applications are evaluated based on the relevance of the proposed research to program objectives, the experience and qualifications of the research team, and the clarity and feasibility of the work plan. Reviewers assess how well the proposal supports federal priorities related to science integrity, invasive species management, and environmental protection. Budget justification is also reviewed to ensure costs are reasonable and aligned with project goals. The application deadline is July 5, 2026, with submissions due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The anticipated project start date is October 1, 2026, and the project period extends through September 30, 2031. Questions regarding the opportunity can be directed to Rachel Miller via email. This opportunity does not indicate recurring cycles and appears to be a single, competitive funding round under the CESU framework.

Align proposal closely with INHABIT tool improvements and practitioner needs; demonstrate interdisciplinary expertise and prior experience with ecological modeling and decision support tools; ensure budget justification is clear and compliant with federal cost principles