Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with Alaska 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 Alaska CESU partner organizations conducting ecological research and population modeling work.
Eligible recipients must be active participating partners in the Alaska Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) program. Partners typically include universities, nonprofit research organizations, and tribal entities engaged in collaborative ecosystem research.
This specific funding supports research to develop population models and viability analyses for threatened species. Projects must address research questions relevant to USGS and partner agency needs.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Program description
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research to develop an integrated population model (IPM) and conduct a Bayesian Population Viability Analysis (BPVA) for the Atlantic Coast population of Piping Plovers. Listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1986, the Atlantic Coast population comprises four recovery units (Atlantic Canada, New England, Mid-Atlantic, and Southern states). Although intensive management has contributed to population growth, recovery has been uneven among units, and some have not grown despite years of targeted management and monitoring. Ongoing threats include habitat loss and degradation, predation, and human disturbance. Emerging challenges include habitat alteration driven by environmental change, including sea level rise and increased storm frequency. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requires reliable quantitative tools to assess the effects of these threats on the resilience, redundancy, and adaptive capacity of the Atlantic Coast population.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Curriculum Vitae (Project Director/PI)
- Letters of Commitment from CESU partners
- Prior research results or progress reports (if applicable)
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 current participating partners of the Alaska Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit. You must have an existing partnership agreement with CESU.
What type of research does this grant support?
Population modeling, viability analysis, and ecological research for threatened or at-risk species. This round focuses on Piping Plover population dynamics.
Is there a cost-sharing requirement?
No. This grant does not require matching funds or cost-sharing from applicants.
How competitive is this funding?
Highly competitive. Funding is limited, and CESU partners typically submit research proposals addressing specific agency priorities and research questions.
What is the typical award range?
Awards range from $1 to $234,460. The specific amount depends on your project scope and the total funding pool available.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Confirm your organization is an active Alaska CESU partner before investing application effort. Contact CESU directly to verify eligibility.
- Ground your proposal in the specific research priorities outlined by USGS and partner agencies. Show how your work addresses identified knowledge gaps.
- Use quantitative methods and peer-reviewed models to strengthen technical credibility. Reviewers prioritize rigorous analytical approaches.
- Clearly articulate how your research will inform management decisions or policy. CESU funding emphasizes applied outcomes.
- Build partnerships across agencies and institutions early. Collaborative proposals with strong partner letters are more competitive.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applying without confirmed Alaska CESU partner status. Many organizations assume eligibility but lack formal partnership agreements. Non-partners are automatically ineligible regardless of project quality. Contact CESU to verify your status before applying.
Proposing research misaligned with current USGS and Fish & Wildlife Service priorities. This is agency-specific directed funding, not open research support. Carefully review current research needs statements.
Submitting weak preliminary data or unclear methodological plans. CESU reviewers expect feasible, well-designed studies with clear analytical approaches.
Similar grants
- CLOSING SOON Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit — Geological Survey
- CLOSING SOON Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with Californian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit — Geological Survey
- CLOSING SOON Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Great Lakes-Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) — Geological Survey
- OPEN Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit — Geological Survey
- OPEN Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit — Geological Survey