Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Hawaiʻi-Pacific Islands Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)
This cooperative agreement funds research by a participating Hawaiʻi-Pacific Islands CESU partner to analyze invasive plant and horticultural trade data and produce science, data, and tools for invasive species risk screening and management in Hawaiʻi.
⚑ Eligibility limited to participating partners of the Hawaiʻi-Pacific Islands CESU Program. · Cooperative agreement instrument; substantial federal collaboration is expected. · Award ceiling $435,000.
This is primarily invasive-species biosecurity/ecology and geospatial risk screening for Hawaiʻi, which is outside IPPRA’s core social-behavioral program lines. The hazard-preparedness framing is only tangentially relevant; the team might contribute at most on risk communication or stakeholder perception, but not as a likely PI-led pursuit.
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) | 70 strong | technical depth: substantial; funds applied research |
| IPPRA | 58 good | portfolio topics: environment, emergency_disaster_resilience (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
Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to biodiversity, biosecurity, ecosystem functioning, and human well-being in Hawaiʻi. Managers are increasingly concerned about the horticultural trade because it is the predominant pathway for non-native plant introduction in the state. However, they currently lack information about which species pose the greatest risk now and in the future. By analyzing invasion records and ornamental trade data for approximately 19,000 plant taxa, this project will identify horticultural species likely to establish in Hawaiʻi based on local conditions. In doing so, the project will identify geographic areas with the highest invasion risk and highlight species of concern, taking into account invasion history, weed risk scores, nursery locations, and their overlap with human infrastructure and conservation areas.
Findings will inform risk-based screening, early detection priorities, and management planning for federal and state partners including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife. By improving invasive species management, this project will support the mitigation of hazards like wildfires and erosion that can be exacerbated by invasive plants, improving state and local preparedness in line with the goals of EO 14239 -Achieving Efficiency Through State and Local Preparedness (March 19, 2025). This work also supports the goals of EO 14303 -Restoring Gold Standard Science (May 23, 2025) and SO 3441 -Implementing the Requirements of Executive Order 14303, Restoring Gold Standard Science (August 29, 2025) by advancing American leadership in adaptation science and providing credible, reliable, and impartial scientific evidence to reduce the harm caused by invasive species.
Projects supported under this cooperative agreement should advance Administration priorities, including, but not limited to, American energy dominance, critical mineral development, water security, infrastructure resilience, and natural hazard preparedness. Research and activities may incorporate scientific expertise in areas such as hydrology, geology, geospatial science, biosecurity, and near-earth space science, including extreme events such as drought, flooding, wildland fire, coastal erosion, severe storms, and geologic hazards, to develop actionable science, data, and tools that support informed decision-making by resource managers and stakeholders.
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 Hawaiʻi-Pacific Islands Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program.
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View on Grants.gov → CONTACT: Geological Survey <katherine_calder@ios.doi.gov>
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