Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with Californian 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 research and technical assistance projects through the California Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU). Only participating partner organizations within the Californian CESU may apply. Projects should advance priorities including energy development, critical mineral research, water security, infrastructure resilience, and natural hazard preparedness. Eligible activities include hydrology, geology, geospatial science, and research on extreme events like drought, flooding, wildfire, and coastal erosion.
Applicants may be universities, federal agencies, state/local governments, nonprofits, or tribal organizations already participating in the CESU network. The cooperative agreement funds actionable science and tools for resource managers. Projects must align with USGS priorities and support informed decision-making.
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Program description
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.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Proposal Narrative
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Proof of CESU Partner Status
- Project Work Plan
- CV or Resumes (Key Personnel)
Program contact
- 👤 Geological Survey
- 📧 katherine_calder@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 participating partner organizations within the California Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit may apply. You must already be a formal CESU partner to be eligible.
What types of projects does this grant fund?
Projects addressing water security, critical minerals, natural hazards, infrastructure resilience, and energy. Research on drought, flooding, wildfire, coastal erosion, and geologic hazards is prioritized.
Is there a cost-sharing requirement?
No, cost sharing is not required for this cooperative agreement.
What is the funding range?
Individual awards typically range from $1 to $200,000. The total funding pool is $200,000.
When is the deadline?
The application deadline is December 7, 2026. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Confirm your organization is an active, participating member of the California CESU before applying. Non-members cannot apply.
- Align your project proposal directly with stated Administration priorities: energy dominance, critical minerals, water security, infrastructure, and natural hazards.
- Emphasize how your research produces "actionable science" and tools that support real resource manager decision-making, not just academic findings.
- Include clear partnerships or collaboration with other CESU members or resource management agencies to strengthen your application.
- Address a specific extreme event (drought, flood, wildfire, coastal erosion, storm) or geologic hazard with regional relevance to California.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applying without CESU partner status will result in automatic rejection. Projects misaligned with Administration priorities or lacking actionable outcomes for resource managers are less competitive. Vague research proposals without clear management applications are commonly unfunded.
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