Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the North Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)
Open Posted
- Opportunity number
- G27AS00077
- Agency
-
US Geological Survey
Department of the Interior
- Applications due
- Award size
- Up to $350,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Science and Technology and other Research and Development
- Eligible applicants
-
- Other
- Points of contact
-
- Katie Calder katherine_calder@ios.doi.gov
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The U.S. Geological Survey is soliciting applications for a cooperative agreement to support research on invasive plant management strategies adapted for warming temperatures in the Northeast, with an application due date of November 14, 2026. Eligible applicants must be participating partners of the North Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. No cost share is required. The award ceiling is $350,000 with one anticipated award. The project period runs two years, from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2028, with place of performance in the Northeast.
The research will synthesize practitioner knowledge on the success of past invasive plant treatments and best available science on control approaches—including herbicide and mechanical strategies—to identify how these methods can be adapted to remain effective under rising temperatures. Rising temperatures create a fertilization effect that boosts plant growth, particularly in invasive species, potentially rendering currently recommended herbicide doses and treatment frequencies ineffective. The work aligns with Executive Orders 14239 (state and local preparedness for natural hazards) and 14303 (restoring science excellence) and may incorporate expertise in hydrology, geology, geospatial science, biosecurity, and extreme-event science.
Evaluation criteria assign 30 points to research topic and relevance to Department of Interior priorities, 25 points to applicant experience and expertise, 25 points to clarity and appropriateness of work plan and methods, and 20 points to budget justification and clarity. The CESU negotiated indirect cost rate is capped at 17.5% of Modified Total Direct Cost. Recipients must submit annual progress reports within 90 days of each agreement anniversary, a final technical report within 120 days of project completion, and annual SF-425 financial reports. All geospatial data produced must comply with Federal Geospatial Data Committee standards and be submitted in open formats. The program is CFDA 15.808 (U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection).
Synopsis
Invasive plants harm ecosystems by outcompeting native plants and destabilizing natural communities. To reduce harm, practitioners use control methods such as herbicides or mowing. Rising temperatures can create a fertilization effect that boosts plant growth, an impact that is even stronger in invasive species, which tend to grow much faster than non-invasive plants. As a result, the recommended doses and number of treatments of herbicides may no longer be effective for controlling invasive plants. To address the need for information on how invasive plant treatment strategies can be adapted to remain effective under warming temperatures in the Northeast, researchers will synthesize 1) practitioner knowledge on the success of past treatments and 2) the best available science on treatments. Incorporating science on whether and how treatment approaches can be more effective will address a critical need for invasive species practitioners in the Northeast, who report spending most of their time treating existing invasive plants.
This work aligns with the goals of EO 14239 -Achieving Efficiency Through State and Local Preparedness (March 19, 2025) by helping state and local practitioners mitigate invasive species-associated hazards, as well as EO 14303 -Restoring Gold Standard Science (May 23, 2025) and SO 3441 (Implementing the Requirements of Executive Order 14303, Restoring Gold Standard Science (August 29, 2025) by strengthening American leadership in adaptation science.
Projects supported under this cooperative agreement should advance Administration priorities, including, but not limited to, American energy dominance, critical mineral development, water security, infrastructure resilience, and natural hazard preparedness. Research and activities may incorporate scientific expertise in areas such as hydrology, geology, geospatial science, biosecurity, and near-earth space science, including extreme events such as drought, flooding, wildland fire, coastal erosion, severe storms, and geologic hazards, to develop actionable science, data, and tools that support informed decision-making by resource managers and stakeholders.
Eligibility
This financial assistance opportunity is being issued under a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program. CESUs are partnerships that provide research, technical assistance, and education. Eligible recipients must be a participating partner of the North Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Full_Announcement.docx | DOCX document | |
| ATTACHMENT_D_-_Geospatial_Data_instructions.docx | DOCX document | |
| ATTACHMENT_C_-_Project_Abstract_Summary_Requirement.docx | DOCX document | |
| ATTACHMENT_B_-_Common-form-current-and-pending-support-doi-omb-3145-0279_3.pdf | ||
| ATTACHMENT_A_-Biographical-sketch-common-form-doi-omb-3145-0279_3.pdf | ||
| PKG00294390.pdf |
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