Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU | G18AS00050

Opportunity Information: Apply for G18AS00050

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), within the Department of the Interior (DOI), released a discretionary funding opportunity under the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) to support a focused research project aimed at improving invasive species distribution models (SDMs). The intent is to fund one CESU partner through a cooperative agreement to advance methods for predicting and mapping where invasive species are likely to occur, with an emphasis on making those models more credible, more useful to land and resource managers, and more compatible with large-scale biodiversity mapping efforts.

At the core of the opportunity is a two-part research purpose. First, the project is meant to better leverage existing large-scale databases so that invasive species distribution models can be produced and delivered in a way that DOI partner agencies can actually use for management decisions. This implies a strong applied angle: not just developing theory, but improving workflows, data integration, and model outputs so they are practical for agencies tasked with prevention, early detection, monitoring, prioritization, and response. Second, the work is intended to connect the principles and best practices used to develop highly credible SDMs for high-priority invasive species with broader, landscape-to-national scale biodiversity mapping initiatives. In other words, the project is positioned to bridge detailed, high-confidence modeling approaches for key invaders with the realities of broader, standardized mapping programs that operate at scale.

Administratively, the award is structured as a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant, signaling that USGS expects to have substantial involvement during the project (for example, collaboration on study design, data sources, methods, or interpretation and delivery of results). The funding instrument supports science and technology and other research and development activities, and it is listed under CFDA 15.808. The opportunity number is G18AS00050, and it was created on May 29, 2018 with an original closing date of June 12, 2018. The funding level is relatively targeted, with an award ceiling of $49,521 and an expectation of a single award, indicating a small, specific project rather than a multi-site program.

Eligibility is limited to CESU partners under the Rocky Mountain CESU framework (the listing notes “Others,” with clarification referenced in an additional eligibility field). Practically, that means applicants generally must be affiliated with or otherwise eligible through the CESU network, which is designed to streamline collaborative research between federal agencies and partner institutions. Overall, this opportunity supports a concise, method-forward research effort intended to improve invasive species modeling approaches by using existing large datasets more effectively and by aligning rigorous SDM practices with broader biodiversity mapping needs across DOI partner agencies.

• The Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.808.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 29, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 12, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $49,521.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for G18AS00050

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