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

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), through its National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC), is offering a cooperative agreement opportunity to partners affiliated with the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program, specifically those within the Great Lakes – Northern Forest CESU. The USGS is a federal science agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior that conducts research and provides data to support natural resource management, public safety, and environmental protection. The NWHC plays a central role in diagnosing wildlife diseases and understanding causes of wildlife morbidity and mortality, supporting national preparedness and ecosystem health. This funding opportunity is designed to address a critical gap in parasitology diagnostic capacity at the NWHC. The primary objective is to strengthen the ability to detect, characterize, and monitor parasitic diseases affecting wildlife populations. The work supports national priorities related to wildlife conservation, public safety, and ecological sustainability. It aligns with multiple executive orders focused on improving state and federal preparedness, enhancing scientific rigor, and promoting responsible stewardship of natural resources. The initiative also contributes to reducing regulatory burdens by improving early detection and risk assessment for wildlife diseases. The scope of work includes developing and implementing molecular diagnostic tests for high priority parasites, performing diagnostic testing on wildlife samples, generating reference genetic sequences for submission to GenBank, and training NWHC staff in modern parasitology techniques. Recipients are also expected to contribute to scientific publications and reports. These activities are intended to build long term institutional capacity and ensure that the NWHC can meet increasing diagnostic and surveillance demands. The total estimated funding for this cooperative agreement is 276000 dollars over a multi year period consisting of one base year and four additional budget years. Approximately 55874 dollars is expected to be available in the first year, with continued funding contingent upon satisfactory progress and availability of federal funds. There is no stated cost sharing or matching requirement. Funding may be used for personnel, supplies, equipment, travel, contractual services, and other direct and indirect costs as justified in the proposal budget narrative. Eligibility is restricted to organizations that are officially recognized partners within the Great Lakes – Northern Forest CESU. CESU partnerships typically include universities, nonprofit organizations, and other research institutions that collaborate with federal agencies on scientific and technical projects. Applicants must demonstrate expertise in wildlife disease and parasitology, as well as the capacity to recruit and retain qualified personnel. The proposal must clearly outline the technical approach, project objectives, and expected outcomes, along with detailed budget documentation and supporting materials. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov using the specified funding opportunity number. Required components include a technical narrative, budget narrative, data management plan, biographical sketches, current and pending support disclosures, and a project abstract summary. Proposals are evaluated based on research relevance, investigator expertise, and the quality of the work plan. The review process is conducted by USGS technical staff, with final award decisions made by the contracting officer. The performance period spans up to five years, with annual progress reports and a final technical report required. Financial reporting is also mandatory on an annual and final basis. While no explicit application deadline is provided in the announcement, applicants are encouraged to monitor Grants.gov for submission timelines and updates. Questions regarding the opportunity may be directed to the designated grant specialist or program contacts provided in the announcement.

Ensure strong alignment with USGS research objectives and demonstrate institutional expertise in wildlife parasitology and molecular diagnostics