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

The Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey under the Department of the Interior. This opportunity is part of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units program, which is designed to facilitate collaboration between federal agencies and academic or research institutions. CESU partnerships enable applied research, technical assistance, and educational initiatives that address environmental and natural resource management challenges. This specific funding opportunity is administered through the USGS Fort Collins Science Center and reflects ongoing federal priorities to improve scientific understanding and management of plant species and ecosystems. The primary purpose of this cooperative agreement is to support research focused on detecting plant species habitats to inform land management decisions. The project emphasizes improving methodologies for identifying plant species distributions, particularly invasive species that may influence wildfire risk and ecological balance. The research scope includes developing and refining phenology-informed detection models, assessing how models perform across large geographic areas, analyzing uncertainty in spatial predictions, and enhancing the usability of model outputs for practitioners. By advancing these capabilities, the project aims to strengthen decision-making processes for agencies responsible for managing natural landscapes. Funding under this opportunity is intended to support scientific research activities, including data collection, modeling, analysis, and development of decision-support tools. The work may involve integrating satellite data, improving data processing pipelines, and synthesizing spatial predictors. The cooperative nature of the agreement means that the USGS and the selected partner will collaborate closely, combining expertise in plant ecology, statistical programming, and remote sensing. The expected outputs include datasets, analytical code, and research findings that directly support land management agencies in understanding plant distributions and associated risks. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is limited to organizations that are already participating partners within the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit. This restriction ensures that applicants have the institutional capacity and established relationships necessary to contribute effectively to CESU collaborative research efforts. The opportunity is particularly suited for universities with demonstrated expertise in ecological research and advanced analytical methods. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement associated with this award, which lowers financial barriers for eligible applicants. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov by the stated deadline. Applicants must prepare and submit a complete application package in accordance with federal grant submission standards, including required forms and documentation. While the announcement does not detail specific evaluation criteria, cooperative agreements of this type are typically assessed based on technical merit, alignment with program objectives, and the applicant’s capacity to execute the proposed research. Applicants are expected to demonstrate their ability to contribute meaningfully to the collaborative research goals outlined in the announcement. The application window for this opportunity opened on May 29, 2026, and closes on June 29, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Only one award is expected to be issued, with a total program funding amount of 49,250 dollars. The performance timeline is not explicitly stated but is expected to align with the scope of the research project and deliverables. For questions or technical issues related to accessing the announcement, applicants may contact the listed program representative via email. This opportunity does not indicate recurring funding cycles and appears to be a one-time solicitation tied to a specific research initiative.