Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Great Lakes-Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)
USGS will fund a Great Lakes-Northern Forest CESU partner to develop, evaluate, and synthesize national-scale biogeographic information for freshwater fish and other aquatic organisms, including species distribution modeling, habitat model assessment, and AI-assisted data synthesis.
⚑ Eligibility is limited to participating partners of the Great Lakes-Northern Forest CESU Program. · Cooperative agreement mechanism; collaboration with USGS is inherent. · Award ceiling is $150,000.
This is an aquatic ecology/species distribution modeling and biogeographic data synthesis project, which is far outside IPPRA’s core social-behavioral portfolio. The team’s strengths are public risk perception, weather/energy/nuclear attitudes, and policy evaluation, so there is no plausible PI-level fit here.
JUDGED AGAINST THE ROSTER'S PUBLICATION DOSSIER · GPT-5.4-MINI · 2026-10-15
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 90 strong | technical depth: central; funds applied research |
| IPPRA | 58 good | portfolio topics: environment, water_resources (primary); social/behavioral work is minor; funds applied research; biomedical core — IPPRA health lane is communication/crisis/policy (capped) |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 30 weak | funds applied research; deep-tech content |
Description
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research in the development, evaluation, and synthesis of national-scale biogeographic information for fish and other aquatic organisms. This project supports research that improves how species distributions, habitat conditions, and conservation needs are mapped and analyzed across the United States. The project focuses on three technical areas: (1) advancing statistical and analytical methods that integrate multiple lines of evidence to improve species distribution models for freshwater organisms; (2) evaluating the accuracy, uncertainty, and environmental sensitivity of habitat models; and (3) using modern synthesis tools, including artificial intelligence, to assemble and maintain up-to-date information on species traits, conservation status, and habitat preferences. These activities will help resource managers make informed decisions about conserving aquatic species and freshwater ecosystems.
The USGS intends to provide support for work that directly aligns with Department of the Interior (DOI) scientific and conservation priorities, including the development and application of actionable science for species management and cooperative conservation with local communities and Tribes. This opportunity supports DOI strategic objectives related to conserving land and water resources, improving ecological data and analysis, and strengthening shared stewardship across agencies and partners.
The proposal objectives clearly supports, informs, and benefits the following:
SO 3447 - Expanding Hunting and Fishing Access, Removing Unnecessary Barriers, and Ensuring Consistency Across the Depart of the Interior Lands and Waters (January 7, 2026)
SO 3442 - Land and Water Conservation Fund Implementation by the U.S. Department of the Interior September 4, 2025),
EO 14303 – Restoring Gold Standard Science (May 23, 2025)
SO 3441 –Implementing the Requirements of Executive Order 14303, Restoring Gold Standard Science, May 23, 2025 (August 29, 2025)
SO 3444 - Leading Interior's Path to Artificial Intelligence Transformation (September 17, 2025), and SO 3435 - Implementation of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act June 25, 2025).
This funding opportunity is appropriate for applicants with expertise in aquatic ecology, species distribution modeling, geospatial analysis, and ecological data synthesis. Prospective applicants should review the focus areas above to determine alignment of their capabilities with project needs and assess their interest in contributing to collaborative, nationally relevant biogeographic science.
Eligibility
This financial assistance opportunity is being issued under a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program. CESUs are partnerships that provide research, technical assistance, and education. Eligible recipients must be a participating partner of the Great Lakes-Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program.
Apply
View on Grants.gov → CONTACT: Geological Survey <katherine_calder@ios.doi.gov>
Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · Federal (generic) conventions SEE A FEDERAL EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — Federal (generic)'s document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.