Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Great Lakes-Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), a bureau within the U.S. Department of the Interior, administers scientific research programs that support natural resource management, environmental monitoring, and geospatial data development across the United States. Through its Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program, USGS collaborates with academic, governmental, and nonprofit partners to conduct applied research, technical assistance, and education initiatives. This funding opportunity supports one such partnership within the Great Lakes-Northern Forest CESU, emphasizing collaborative, federally engaged research aligned with national geospatial priorities. The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to advance research in GeoAI-enabled automated landform mapping, expand the Landform Reference Ontology through knowledge graph integration, and improve the positional accuracy of summit features within the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). The project focuses on applying machine learning and lidar-derived elevation datasets to improve national mapping infrastructure and enhance the quality and usability of geospatial data. These objectives contribute to broader federal priorities, including artificial intelligence innovation, scientific integrity, and improved disaster response and resource management capabilities. Funding for this opportunity is limited, with a total program allocation of $29,994 and a single anticipated award. The cooperative agreement structure indicates substantial involvement from USGS staff throughout the project lifecycle, including collaboration on research design, implementation, and dissemination. The project period is expected to span one year, beginning approximately October 1, 2026, and ending September 30, 2027. Funds may be used for personnel, research activities, data processing, travel, and dissemination, provided all costs are allowable, reasonable, and compliant with federal cost principles. Indirect costs are capped at a negotiated CESU rate of 17.5 percent. Eligibility for this opportunity is restricted to organizations that are active partners within the Great Lakes-Northern Forest CESU. These partnerships typically include universities, research institutions, and other organizations formally affiliated with the CESU network. Applicants must demonstrate technical expertise in geospatial analysis, artificial intelligence applications, and data integration, as well as the capacity to collaborate with federal scientists and produce peer-reviewed outputs. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for this program. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov and require standard federal forms, including SF-424 and SF-424A, along with a detailed project narrative, budget justification, data management plan, and supporting documentation such as biographical sketches and current and pending support disclosures. The project narrative must address the research problem, objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and dissemination plans. Applicants must also outline a timeline, describe available resources, and demonstrate prior experience relevant to the proposed work. The application deadline is July 5, 2026, by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Submissions are evaluated based on completeness, eligibility, and merit criteria including project relevance, technical approach, budget justification, and applicant qualifications. Proposals are reviewed by USGS technical personnel and scored before final selection by a contracting officer. Successful applicants will be notified through official award channels, and the project will proceed under federal reporting and compliance requirements, including regular performance and financial reporting. For additional information or assistance, applicants may contact Rachel Miller at rachel_miller@ios.doi.gov. This opportunity does not indicate a recurring cycle and appears to be a single, targeted funding announcement tied to CESU partnership research priorities.

Align proposal closely with USGS research objectives; demonstrate strong technical methodology in GeoAI and geospatial analysis; ensure budget clarity and justification; highlight prior experience with similar federal research collaborations