Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with Northern Great Plains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit
🏛 Geological Survey (DOI-USGS1)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 19, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research partners affiliated with the Northern Great Plains Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU). Eligible recipients must be existing participating partners of the Northern Great Plains CESU. The program supports research, technical assistance, and education projects in environmental and ecosystem studies.
The grant focuses on environmental science research, particularly projects addressing water quality, contaminants like PFAS, and ecosystem monitoring. Research institutions, universities, and nonprofit research organizations can typically participate as CESU partners. Geographic scope is the Northern Great Plains region, including states like Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
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Program description
Robust and reliable quantitative method to correct for solution chemistry interferences in molecularly imprinted polymer – electrochemical sensor (MIP-ES) measurements of complex environmental water matrices
The goal of this research is to develop a robust and reliable quantitative method to correct for solution chemistry interferences in MIP-ES measurements of complex environmental water matrices. One of the challenges using MIP-ES to measure contaminants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in environmental samples is understanding how bulk solution chemistry contributes to the electrochemical background signal. The development of a ratiometric comparison approach with MIP-ES will involve bench scale proof of concept testing and then escalate to field deployed trials. Instrumentation required for MIP-ES fabrication and sensing includes multichannel potentiostats capable of differential pulse voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry. Differential pulse voltammetry will be used to collect current differences at 1-minute and 15-minute incubation time points in the sample matrices. These current values will be used to build the ratiometric comparison approach.
The ratiometric approach will involve the comparison of normalized current difference ratios, outlined in Equation 1, between a matrix matched solution that contains all matrix constituents minus the analyte in question and an unknown solution that is composed of the sample matrix and may or may not contain the analyte.
The use of a ratiometric comparison isolates current differences from the association of the analyte with the MIP-ES binding sites from any change in current from interferent effects due to the rest of the sample matrix constituents (i.e., humic acids, fulvic acids, ions, non-fluorinated counterparts, etc.). A ratio close to 1 indicates the absence of the analyte due to similar normalized current difference values in the ratio. A statistically different ratio from 1 indicates the presence of the analyte in question in the sample matrix.
This project supports the administration’s priority to protecting human health by generating data and tools that identify potential risks to drinking water quality. By enabling early detection and informed decision-making, this work helps safeguard communities from exposure to harmful contaminants and ensures access to safe, clean drinking water.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Organizational capacity documentation
- Evidence of CESU partnership status
- Resumes of 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
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$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 8 awards $247.1M
- CA 23 awards $73.1M
- AK 15 awards $34.2M
- FL 6 awards $22.8M
- 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.
| 2024 | $125,066,719 | |
| 2025 | $54,713,074 | |
| 2026 est. | $60,000,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Only organizations that are already participating partners of the Northern Great Plains CESU are eligible. You must have an established partnership agreement with the CESU.
What types of projects does this grant fund?
The grant supports environmental research, ecosystem studies, technical assistance, and education. Projects addressing water quality, contaminant detection, and environmental monitoring are priorities.
What is the typical award range?
Awards can range from $1 to $450,000 depending on project scope and complexity. Total available funding is $450,000 for this cycle.
Is cost-sharing required?
No, cost-sharing is not required for this cooperative agreement. The USGS covers project costs directly.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is November 14, 2026. This is a fixed deadline, so submissions must arrive by this date.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Confirm your organization's CESU partnership status before investing application effort. Non-partners cannot apply directly.
- Align your project with Northern Great Plains regional priorities and ecosystem challenges. Address specific research gaps the region faces.
- Emphasize practical applications of your research. The CESU program values work that translates to real conservation and management outcomes.
- Document your team's technical expertise with environmental science methods. Prior publications and project experience strengthen credibility.
- Build partnerships with regional agencies and institutions. Collaborative proposals are more competitive in the CESU program.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Many applicants underestimate the partnership requirement and apply without confirmed CESU affiliation. Proposals lacking clear connection to Northern Great Plains ecosystem priorities get rejected. Poor explanation of how research translates to management or policy decisions weakens competitiveness.
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