Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit
🏛 Geological Survey (DOI-USGS1)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for Chesapeake Watershed CESU partner organizations only. Eligible recipients must be formal partners in the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit network focused on the Chesapeake Watershed region.
The funding supports research on GeoAI-enabled automated landform mapping and geographic data improvements. Projects should advance knowledge graph-based landform classification and enhance GNIS summit feature accuracy using lidar elevation data.
Geographic scope includes the Chesapeake Watershed. Partnerships between USGS and academic institutions, nonprofits, or agencies are prioritized through the CESU model.
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Program description
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is offering a funding opportunity to a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) partner for research focused on advancing GeoAI-enabled automated landform mapping, expansion of the Landform Reference Ontology using knowledge graphs, and improving Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) summit feature positional accuracy using lidar-derived elevation datasets.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit partner verification
- Project proposal/narrative
- Budget and budget justification
- Qualifications/CV of lead researcher
- Letters of support from USGS collaborators
Program contact
- 👤 Geological Survey
- 📧 rachel_miller@ios.doi.gov
- 📞 916-278-9331
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 15.808 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$240,000,000
-
$11,148,115
-
$10,533,234
-
$10,055,533
-
$8,476,627
-
$8,454,102
-
$7,659,261
-
$6,894,612
-
$6,800,079
-
$6,644,228
Top States by Funding
- CO 5 awards $245.6M
- CA 21 awards $72.1M
- AK 13 awards $33.2M
- FL 6 awards $22.8M
- WA 4 awards $16.6M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 15.808). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2021 | $35,000,000 | |
| 2022 | $157,201,151 | |
| 2023 | $263,107,440 | |
| 2024 | $125,066,719 | |
| 2025 est. | $110,000,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $60,000,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Only formal partners of the Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit can apply. You must have an existing partnership agreement with USGS through the CESU program.
What types of research does this fund?
The grant funds GeoAI-enabled landform mapping, knowledge graph development for the Landform Reference Ontology, and lidar-based positional accuracy improvements for GNIS summit features.
What is the funding range?
Awards range from $1 to $29,994. This is a small grant opportunity with limited total funding available.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is fixed at July 24, 2026. Submit well before this date to allow USGS time to review your application.
Is this a competitive grant?
Yes, this is a competitive opportunity. Applicants must demonstrate technical expertise in GeoAI, geospatial data, and landform science to be competitive.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Verify your organization is an active CESU partner before applying; non-partners are ineligible.
- Clearly connect your project to at least one of the three research priorities: GeoAI mapping, ontology expansion, or GNIS accuracy.
- Show how your team has prior experience with geospatial data, lidar processing, or automated classification methods.
- Keep your proposal concise and focused; the small award size means streamlined, specific projects perform better.
- Highlight collaboration opportunities with USGS scientists and other Chesapeake Watershed researchers.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applying without confirmed CESU partner status; ineligible applicants waste time. Proposing research outside the three specified focus areas or unrelated to Chesapeake Watershed. Submitting vague project plans without clear geospatial methods or lidar expertise.
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