Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit
🏛 Geological Survey (DOI-USGS1)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Nov 13, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for universities participating in the Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. Applicants must be confirmed partner institutions with the Colorado Plateau CESU. The project focuses on ecological research along the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Arizona.
Research activities supported include studying parasites and diseases affecting humans and fish, invasive species, and aquatic insects that serve as fish prey. Projects must validate new monitoring tools (e-DNA detection) and modeling approaches to inform future management decisions.
Only one cooperative agreement will be awarded. Partners must be committed to ongoing collaboration with the U.S. Geological Survey.
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Program description
The Southwest Biological Science Center of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is offering a Cooperative Agreement to one member of the Colorado Plateau CESU Program.
The goal of this project is to promote continued cooperation between the USGS and a university partner of the Colorado Plateau CESU to support ecological research along the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Arizona.
This project will improve understanding of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon and the role that drought and Glen Canyon Dam operations may be playing in driving dynamics of parasites and diseases of both humans and fish, invasive species, and the aquatic insect prey base for fishes. Important elements of the university research roles will include validating new e-DNA detection tools for monitoring parasites and diseases, invasive species, and the aquatic insect prey base and new modeling tools that will inform predictions about possible future conditions.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Cooperative Agreement application (USGS-specific form)
- Project narrative/proposal
- Budget and budget narrative
- Institutional commitment letter
- Resume/CV of key personnel
- Organizational capacity documentation
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 9 awards $247.6M
- CA 24 awards $73.6M
- AK 17 awards $35.1M
- FL 7 awards $23.2M
- 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 can apply for this grant?
Only universities that are confirmed partner institutions of the Colorado Plateau CESU can apply. You must already be enrolled in the CESU Program.
What is the funding range?
Awards range from $1 to $475,000. Total program funding is $475,000 with one award available.
What types of research are supported?
Projects must focus on ecological research along the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. Priority areas include parasites, diseases, invasive species, aquatic insects, and monitoring tool validation.
When is the deadline?
The application deadline is November 30, 2026. This is a fixed deadline with no rolling acceptance.
Do I need to provide cost-sharing?
No cost-sharing or matching funds are required for this cooperative agreement.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Confirm your institution is an active Colorado Plateau CESU partner before investing time in an application. Contact CESU administrators if unsure of your status.
- Emphasize how your research validates new monitoring tools or modeling approaches. USGS prioritizes innovation in detection and prediction methods.
- Frame your work in context of Glen Canyon Dam operations and drought impacts. These are central concerns for the Colorado River research agenda.
- Build strong connections between your university team and USGS Southwest Biological Science Center. Cooperative agreements thrive on genuine partnerships.
- Align your project timeline and deliverables with USGS reporting requirements and field season logistics in the Grand Canyon.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications from non-CESU-affiliated institutions are automatically ineligible. Verify partnership status early. Projects that lack clear connection to Colorado River ecology or Grand Canyon research will not be competitive. Proposals missing specific plans for tool validation or modeling work typically score lower than those with detailed technical approaches.
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