Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with Great Lakes Northern Forest 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 partners affiliated with the Great Lakes Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU). Eligible applicants must be confirmed participating members of this CESU partnership network. The program supports ecosystem research, technical assistance, and education through cooperative agreements.
The grant funds projects investigating environmental contamination, water quality, and natural resource impacts in the Great Lakes and Northern Forest regions. Activities focus on scientific study, data collection, and producing findings for resource managers and tribal decision-makers.
This is a competitive opportunity with fixed deadline and variable award amounts up to $377,021. Cost sharing is not required. Researchers from tribal nations, universities, government agencies, and conservation organizations within the CESU network can apply.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Program description
This project investigates PFAS bioaccumulation and partitioning in two culturally significant harvestable plants, wild rice (Manoomin) and arrowhead (Wapato), at up to four PFAS-impacted aquatic sites within the Ceded Territories. The study measures PFAS in surface water, sediment, plant tissues, and finished/cooked traditional food products, using EPA Method 1633 (40 PFAS analytes). Results will clarify bioaccumulation pathways, partitioning patterns within plants, and how traditional processing alters PFAS levels. The findings are intended to support Tribal communities, wildlife managers, and public health decision makers.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- CESU affiliation verification
- Project narrative and objectives
- Budget and timeline
- CV or qualifications summary
- Letters of support from partner agencies or tribes (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 is eligible to apply?
You must be a participating partner organization of the Great Lakes Northern Forest CESU. Contact the CESU coordinator to confirm eligibility before applying.
What types of projects does this fund?
Research on ecosystem health, water quality, wildlife, and natural resources. Tribal resource management and public health topics are supported.
What is the application deadline?
December 7, 2026. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling.
How much funding is available?
Awards range from $1 to $377,021 depending on project scope. The total pool is $377,021.
Do I need to provide matching funds?
No, cost sharing is not required for this grant.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Confirm your organization is a current CESU partner before investing application effort. Partnership status determines eligibility.
- Design projects addressing real resource management questions. Agencies and tribal communities must be able to use findings.
- Include tribal consultation and co-management perspectives if your work affects tribal territories or culturally significant resources.
- Use standard scientific methods (like EPA protocols) to ensure findings are credible and adoptable by decision-makers.
- Build strong partnerships with end-users—state wildlife agencies, tribal nations, or public health officials—to strengthen competitiveness.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applying without confirming CESU partnership status. Proposals lack clear resource management applications. Insufficient tribal engagement on culturally significant topics.
Similar grants
- 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 the Great Lakes-Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit — Geological Survey
- CLOSING SOON Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with Northern Great Plains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit — Geological Survey
- OPEN Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit — Geological Survey
- CLOSING SOON Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with Great Lakes-Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit — Geological Survey