Cooperative Research Units

CRU
CFDA 15.812 Active Cooperative Agreement
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Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)
$7M FY2026
$15.2M
FY24
$4.9M
FY25
$7M
FY26*
* estimated

Funded Projects

Examples of what this program has supported.

FY2025 In FY25 CRU received 153 applications and issued 125 awards.
FY2026 In FY26 CRU anticipates receiving 75 applications and anticipates issuing 60 awards.

Program Objective

To work in partnership with States and universities to address the information needs of local, State, and Federal fish, wildlife, and natural resource agencies through research, technical assistance, and education.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • Other

Universities hosting Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units established under authority of the Cooperative Research Units Act of 1960.

Beneficiaries

  • U.S. Federal Government

Federal, State and local governments, industry and public decision makers, research scientists, State institutions of higher education, and the general public will ultimately benefit from the program.

How to Apply

Award Procedure

Notification of an award is by receipt of a Research Work Order document from a U.S. Geological Survey contracting officer.

Up to 3 months.

Program details & compliance

Description

This listing supports research efforts conducted through the U.S. Geological Survey’s Cooperative Research Units Program to inform management and stewardship of fish and wildlife resources for the benefit and enjoyment of all U.S. citizens. The Cooperative Research Units were established with a trifold mission that is codified in the program’s authorizing legislation:
• Graduate Education – Provide advance training in fish, wildlife, and natural resource sciences, assuring a continuing supply of quality natural resource professionals for state and federal agencies.
• Applied Research – Provide federal and state agencies access to the expertise, and facilities at leading universities around the country, to address the natural resource information needs expressed by Unit cooperators and partners.
• Technical Assistance – Provide technical assistance in the understanding and use of science and research findings to State and Federal personnel and other natural resource managers.

Mission Categories

Primary: Fish and Wildlife Preservation

Other categories:
Business and Commerce StatisticsRecreationHigher EducationSTEM Education

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

Authority is limited to research with an educational component conducted through one of 40 Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units and their host universities. Awards are limited to information needs related to fish, wildlife, ecology, and natural resources of interest to program cooperators and partners.

Required Documentation

Proposed research application responsive to the instructions issued by the USGS.

Reporting & Compliance

Records Retention
3 years

Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts

  • Subpart B — General Provisions
  • Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart E — Cost Principles
  • Subpart F — Audit Requirements

Contacts

Deputy Chief — John Thompson
(703) 648-4262
Department of the Interior, Geological Survey, Cooperative Research Units, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Mail Stop 303, Reston, VA 20192
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-07-24. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-08-08 03:05:17.