Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

The U.S. Geological Survey Southwest Biological Science Center is offering a cooperative agreement funding opportunity titled Using novel remote sensing approaches to improve assessment and support efficient management options for dryland ecosystems. This opportunity is issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit program and specifically requires participation through the Desert Southwest CESU. The funding is intended to support collaborative scientific research that advances the understanding and management of dryland ecosystems across the southwestern United States. The program aligns with federal priorities related to scientific integrity, environmental stewardship, wildfire management, and artificial intelligence integration, and it is connected to broader federal directives and executive orders emphasizing data-driven land management and national security considerations. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to develop and enhance remote sensing approaches that can be used to better understand ecological processes in arid and semiarid ecosystems. These ecosystems cover a substantial portion of the United States but present unique challenges for traditional remote sensing analysis. The program emphasizes the integration of advanced technologies such as drone-based sensing, satellite imagery, hyperspectral data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to assess biological soil crusts, vegetation, microbial communities, and ecosystem responses to land use. The ultimate goal is to generate actionable insights that improve land management decisions, including those related to rangeland productivity, invasive species management, wildfire risk, and restoration prioritization. Funding under this opportunity will support a single cooperative agreement with a total estimated value of 499550 dollars over a five-year period. The project includes one base year with additional funding for up to four subsequent years contingent on satisfactory performance and availability of funds. The first year is expected to receive approximately 112525 dollars. The cooperative nature of the award indicates that substantial involvement is expected between the USGS and the recipient throughout the project lifecycle. Funds are intended to support personnel, equipment, travel, data collection, analysis, and dissemination activities consistent with the proposed research objectives. Eligibility for this opportunity is restricted to organizations that are active partners within the Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit. These partnerships typically include academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and other research entities that collaborate with federal agencies on scientific and technical projects. Applicants must demonstrate the capability to conduct interdisciplinary research involving remote sensing, ecological science, and advanced data analytics. The program places emphasis on expertise in hyperspectral sensing, dryland ecology, and the development of data products that support land management decision-making. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov using the funding opportunity number G26AS00116. The application package requires a detailed technical narrative, including a project introduction, objectives, methodology, planned outputs, dissemination strategy, timeline, and references. Additional required components include a budget narrative aligned with the SF-424A form, a data management plan, biographical sketches, current and pending support disclosures, and a project abstract summary. The proposal must clearly demonstrate alignment with USGS priorities and provide a comprehensive plan for delivering usable scientific outputs. Applicants are also expected to describe how they will disseminate findings to stakeholders, including scientific communities and land managers. Proposals will be evaluated based on four primary criteria: purpose and relevance to program goals, technical approach, budget justification, and qualifications and experience of the applicant team. Each of these categories carries a weighted score contributing to the final selection decision. The review process is conducted by USGS technical personnel, with final award decisions made by the Contracting Officer. Successful applicants will be required to comply with federal reporting requirements, including annual progress reports, financial reporting, and a final technical report summarizing outcomes and impacts. The timeline for this opportunity does not explicitly state an application opening or closing date within the provided material, but it is structured as a standard federal funding opportunity requiring submission through Grants.gov. Recipients will be responsible for ongoing reporting, data sharing in compliance with federal policies, and adherence to publication and acknowledgment requirements. The project is expected to produce significant advancements in the application of remote sensing technologies to dryland ecosystem management and contribute to long-term scientific and operational improvements across federal and partner-managed lands.

Align proposal clearly with USGS priorities and executive orders; emphasize technical rigor in remote sensing methods; ensure budget justification is detailed and reasonable; demonstrate strong qualifications and past performance