Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Great Lakes Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)

The U.S. Geological Survey through its Fort Collins Science Center is offering a cooperative agreement funding opportunity under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit program to support research on the long term demography of imperiled bumble bees. This opportunity specifically emphasizes work related to the rusty patched bumble bee, a species that has experienced significant population declines over the past two decades and is currently listed under the Endangered Species Act. The program is designed to leverage partnerships between federal agencies and academic institutions to advance scientific understanding and inform conservation strategies for pollinators. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the development and implementation of monitoring programs and analytical tools that can detect long term trends in bumble bee populations. The research is expected to contribute to recovery efforts by improving methods for measuring occupancy and abundance, developing sustainable monitoring approaches, and generating data that can guide management decisions. The project will also explore innovative technologies for detecting bumble bee presence and abundance and will help establish standardized protocols for data collection and management across study sites. Funding will be provided through a cooperative agreement structure, which emphasizes collaboration between the USGS and the selected partner. The total anticipated funding for the project is 399000 dollars over a five year period, with approximately 80000 dollars allocated for the first year and subsequent funding contingent on satisfactory progress and availability of funds. The scope of allowable activities includes field surveys, statistical analyses, development of monitoring technologies, and data management efforts. The project is expected to produce research outputs such as reports, datasets, and analytical tools that can be used by federal and state agencies in conservation planning. Eligibility for this opportunity is restricted to partners within the Great Lakes Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit program. These partnerships typically include universities and research institutions that collaborate with federal agencies to conduct applied research. Applicants must demonstrate the capability to conduct ecological research on bumble bees and should have experience in insect ecology, pollination biology, and collaboration with land management agencies. The program requires a high level of technical expertise and the ability to contribute to multi partner research initiatives. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov using the specified funding opportunity number. The submission requires a comprehensive technical narrative including project objectives, methods, expected outcomes, and a detailed budget narrative aligned with federal guidelines. Additional required components include a data management plan, biographical sketches of key personnel, and documentation of current and pending support. Applicants must also outline dissemination plans for research findings and ensure compliance with USGS data sharing policies. Proposals will be evaluated based on their alignment with program objectives, the experience and qualifications of the research team, and the quality and feasibility of the proposed work plan. The evaluation process is conducted by USGS technical personnel and includes scoring criteria related to relevance, scientific merit, and methodological rigor. The selected recipient will be responsible for ongoing reporting, including annual progress reports and a final technical report, as well as financial reporting requirements throughout the project period. The timeline for the opportunity does not specify a fixed application deadline within the provided materials, but applicants are encouraged to submit complete proposals through the Grants.gov system. The project period is expected to span five years, with annual reporting and performance evaluations. Key contacts for the program include the USGS grant specialist and technical project officers who can provide guidance on application requirements and program objectives. This opportunity represents a collaborative effort to advance pollinator conservation through rigorous scientific research and long term monitoring initiatives.

Ensure strong alignment with USGS research objectives and clearly demonstrate experience in bumble bee ecology and long term monitoring methods; provide detailed and feasible methodologies aligned with evaluation criteria