Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Great Lakes-Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit
Can you apply?
This grant is for CESU (Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit) partners in the Great Lakes-Northern Forest region. You must be a participating partner of the Great Lakes-Northern Forest CESU to apply.
The grant funds research on invasive Grass Carp in Great Lakes tributaries. Research focuses on Grass Carp spawning behavior, early life history, and population control strategies.
Geographic scope includes Great Lakes tributaries and northern forest ecosystems. Partners may include universities, nonprofits, government agencies, and tribal organizations already affiliated with the CESU.
This grant is for CESU (Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit) partners in the Great Lakes-Northern Forest region. You must be a participating partner of the Great Lakes-Northern Forest CESU to apply.
The grant funds research on invasive Grass Carp in Great Lakes tributaries. Research focuses on Grass Carp spawning behavior, early life history, and population control strategies.
Geographic scope includes Great Lakes tributaries and northern forest ecosystems. Partners may include universities, nonprofits, government agencies, and tribal organizations already affiliated with the CESU.
Program description
The USGS is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research in invasive Grass Carp spawning and early life history in Great Lakes tributaries.Grass Carp are an invasive species in North America, which threaten native species through the destruction of habitats provided by aquatic vegetation, which are important for production of waterfowl and sportfish. Grass Carp spawn in riverine habitats during specific environmental conditions (i.e., high streamflow events). Consequently, Grass Carp spawning can be surveyed using nets and the collected eggs and larvae have provided crucial information to identify where adult Grass Carp can be targeted for removal efforts. Further, control efforts implemented during spawning may disrupt spawning behavior. Understanding when and where Grass Carp reproduction occurs has been identified by management partners as an important component of responding to the threat of Grass Carp in the Great Lakes. A Presidential Memorandum titled Protecting the Great Lakes from Invasive Carp was issued May 9, 2025, which directed “research and management concerning the prevention, removal, and management of aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes, including invasive carp.”
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Details
This grant is for CESU (Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit) partners in the Great Lakes-Northern Forest region. You must be a participating partner of the Great Lakes-Northern Forest CESU to apply.
The grant funds research on invasive Grass Carp in Great Lakes tributaries. Research focuses on Grass Carp spawning behavior, early life history, and population control strategies.
Geographic scope includes Great Lakes tributaries and northern forest ecosystems. Partners may include universities, nonprofits, government agencies, and tribal organizations already affiliated with the CESU.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (federal application form)
- Project Narrative/Research Proposal
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Organizational Capacity Statement
- Letters of Support from CESU partners or management agencies
- CESU Partner Verification
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 4 awards $245.0M
- CA 18 awards $70.3M
- AK 12 awards $32.6M
- FL 6 awards $22.8M
- WA 3 awards $16.1M
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 partners of the Great Lakes-Northern Forest CESU. You must have an existing affiliation or partnership agreement with the CESU network.
What is the funding range?
Awards range from $1 to $450,000 total. Actual award size depends on project scope and available funding.
What research activities are supported?
Research on Grass Carp invasive species in Great Lakes tributaries. Focus areas include spawning behavior, early life history, and removal strategies.
Is cost sharing required?
No. This grant does not require cost matching or financial support from your organization.
What is the deadline?
The deadline is fixed at June 29, 2026. There is no rolling application window.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Contact your Great Lakes-Northern Forest CESU liaison early to confirm your eligibility and partnership status before applying.
- Ground your research in current management priorities. USGS prioritizes work that supports invasive species control efforts in the Great Lakes region.
- Connect your work to the 2025 Presidential Memorandum on Protecting the Great Lakes from Invasive Carp. Emphasize how your research advances removal or prevention strategies.
- Use collaborative language. CESU grants reward partnerships between universities, agencies, tribes, and nonprofits. Highlight co-investigators and partner organizations.
- Show how your findings will directly support field management decisions. Include letters of support from resource managers or government agencies using your results.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail when the applicant is not a verified CESU partner. Verify your affiliation status before investing effort.
Generic research proposals without clear connection to invasive species management priorities are uncompetitive. Focus narrowly on Grass Carp control decisions.
Overlooking the Presidential Memorandum context. Strong proposals explicitly connect research to federal priorities for Great Lakes protection.
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