Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Great Lakes-Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G26AS00121

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the funding opportunity number for this grant?

The funding opportunity number is G26AS00121.

Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?

This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

What program is this opportunity offered through?

It is offered under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program, specifically through the Great Lakes-Northern Forest CESU.

What type of award is being offered?

The award mechanism is a discretionary cooperative agreement.

What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?

Based on the opportunity description, a cooperative agreement indicates USGS expects substantial involvement in the project, such as collaborating on study design, coordinating field work, interpreting results, and/or helping disseminate findings, rather than taking a more hands-off role.

What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The core purpose is to support applied research on invasive Grass Carp spawning and early life history in tributaries connected to the Great Lakes, with an emphasis on producing information that directly improves detection, response, and management actions on the ground.

What problem is the project trying to address?

The project targets the continued threat posed by Grass Carp in North America, particularly the ecological damage associated with where and when Grass Carp successfully reproduce in Great Lakes-connected river systems.

Why are Grass Carp considered a threat in this context?

The opportunity states that Grass Carp can severely reduce aquatic vegetation. That vegetation supports habitat and food resources for many native species, including waterfowl and sportfish, so reductions can have broader ecosystem impacts.

What specific research topics are emphasized?

The opportunity emphasizes understanding Grass Carp spawning locations, spawning timing, and the environmental conditions that trigger reproduction in tributaries connected to the Great Lakes.

Why is the timing and location of spawning so important for management?

The description indicates ecological damage is closely tied to successful reproduction. Confirming when and where spawning occurs helps agencies focus detection and response where it can most directly reduce recruitment and future impacts.

What environmental conditions are highlighted as linked to Grass Carp spawning?

The opportunity highlights that Grass Carp spawning tends to occur in riverine habitats during certain environmental windows, particularly high streamflow events.

How might field surveys be timed according to this opportunity?

The opportunity describes an approach where field surveys are timed to high streamflow events, since those events are noted as a predictable window associated with spawning activity.

What sampling methods are mentioned for detecting spawning activity?

The description notes net-based sampling to collect eggs and larvae during relevant environmental windows.

Why are eggs and larvae important indicators in this work?

According to the opportunity, early life stages (eggs and larvae) can confirm reproduction is occurring in a specific tributary reach and help managers infer where adult fish are likely present and should be prioritized for removal.

How could this research improve removal or deterrence efforts?

The opportunity notes that control actions undertaken during spawning periods may disrupt spawning behavior. Better knowledge of spawning dynamics could therefore improve the timing and effectiveness of removal or deterrence actions coordinated around spawning events.

What geographic or system focus is described?

The work focuses on tributaries connected to the Great Lakes, within the Great Lakes-Northern Forest CESU context.

How is this opportunity connected to federal priorities?

The project is framed as management-relevant research aligned with federal priorities, including the May 9, 2025 Presidential Memorandum, Protecting the Great Lakes from Invasive Carp, which directs research and management related to prevention, removal, and management of aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes, including invasive carp.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to applicants that are already participating partners in the Great Lakes-Northern Forest CESU.

How many awards does USGS expect to make?

USGS expects to make one award.

What is the maximum funding amount available?

The maximum (ceiling) amount is $450,000.

What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The opportunity falls under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category.

What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?

The CFDA number provided is 15.808.

When was this opportunity created (posted)?

The posting indicates a creation date of May 29, 2026.

What is the application deadline?

The original closing date listed is June 29, 2026.

How long is the application window based on the listed dates?

Based on the creation date of May 29, 2026 and the original closing date of June 29, 2026, the listed application window is roughly one month.

What kind of outcomes is this grant aiming to produce?

The opportunity emphasizes producing actionable information that partner agencies can use to guide surveillance, target adult removals, and potentially coordinate control measures around spawning events to reduce recruitment.