Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with Rocky Mountain 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 Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) partner organizations to conduct ecological research on western rangelands and alpine ecosystems.
Eligible applicants must be current participating partners of the Rocky Mountain CESU. Partner organizations typically include universities, nonprofits, government agencies, and tribes already engaged in the CESU network.
Funding supports research on animal-habitat relationships, population dynamics, and resource selection for wildlife species. Projects focus on birds, ungulates, and alpine species like ptarmigan. Work evaluates responses to land-use changes, vegetation treatments, and landscape disturbances.
Research emphasizes western rangelands, grasslands, shrublands, and alpine ecosystems, particularly those with sagebrush habitats and species of conservation concern.
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Program description
The U.S. Geological Survey is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner to develop scientific tools to collaborative research that evaluates ecological and population risks across western rangelands and alpine ecosystems. This research to understanding animal-habitat relationships, assessing resource selection and population demography of birds and ungulates within grassland, shrubland, and alpine ecosystems. This work could focuses on how sage-grouse and sagebrush and grassland songbirds respond to land-use changes, ranging from vegetation treatments and other disturbances, helping inform conservation and a management and planning efforts of sagebrush habitats and wildlife species of conservation concern. Proposed work could also build upon ongoing work that has also modeled resource selection and population dynamics of ungulates, helping to assess spread of diseases like CWD. Such research could expand current efforts using simulation modeling and expand to new geographies. Work is also require to maintain long-term research in the alpine of Colorado to assess population dynamics and resource needs for white-tailed ptarmigan across seasons, as well as assessing plasticity and potential for genetic adaptation, assessing the risk of threats to these species.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Application form (CESU-specific or federal standard form)
- Project narrative/proposal with research objectives and methods
- Budget and budget justification
- CV or qualifications of key personnel
- Letters of support from collaborating agencies or land managers
- Institutional endorsement letter from partner organization
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 organizations that are current participating partners of the Rocky Mountain CESU can apply. Contact the Rocky Mountain CESU office to verify partner status before submitting.
What types of research does this grant support?
The grant funds ecological research on animal-habitat relationships, population dynamics, and resource selection in western ecosystems. Priority topics include sage-grouse, sagebrush songbirds, ungulates, and alpine species.
What is the funding range?
Awards range from $1 to $490,000. The total funding pool is $490,000 for all awards in this cooperative agreement period.
Is cost sharing required?
No, cost sharing is not required for this grant. However, demonstrating organizational commitment to the project may strengthen competitiveness.
When is the deadline?
The application deadline is December 2, 2026. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling acceptance.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Verify your organization is a current Rocky Mountain CESU partner before investing time in the application. Confirm your status with the CESU coordination office.
- Align your research questions with USGS priorities. Focus on ecological risks, species of conservation concern, and land management relevance.
- Emphasize how your research will inform conservation planning and management decisions. Decision-makers want actionable results.
- Clearly describe the study area, species, and ecosystems. Specify whether work is in sagebrush, grassland, shrubland, or alpine environments.
- Include preliminary data or long-term monitoring results if available. Established research programs are more competitive than new pilots.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail when organizations cannot demonstrate current CESU partner status. Verify eligibility early.
Weak proposals lack clear connection to land management needs or conservation planning. Show how research informs real-world decisions.
Vague study designs fail to specify species, ecosystems, methods, or geographic scope clearly enough for USGS reviewers to evaluate feasibility.
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