Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the North Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), under the U.S. Department of the Interior, through its Great Lakes Science Center, is offering a cooperative agreement opportunity under the North Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU). This opportunity invites affiliated partners of the North Atlantic Coast CESU to participate in advanced research aimed at developing environmentally friendly bioherbicides and strategies to control the spread of invasive plant species, with a specific focus on Phragmites australis. The goal is to devise a low-toxicity, microbe-based bioherbicide that can offer land managers cost-effective and efficient treatment options, significantly improving landscape management outcomes and laying a foundation for similar technologies to manage other invasive species. The project addresses the critical issue of invasive species, particularly Phragmites australis, which poses threats to agricultural, rangeland, and natural environments. This plant’s aggressive nature is bolstered by microbial endophytes that increase its growth and stress tolerance. The research will explore targeting these symbiotic associations to inhibit growth. Building on prior research investments that have led to multiple patents and commercial licensing, this effort aims to bridge the gap between laboratory advances and field-ready solutions. The research will be collaborative and aims to build scalable, real-world applications through both laboratory and field development. The project consists of six research objectives, including evaluating gene expression in treated plants, refining bioherbicide formulations with surfactants and microbial agents, assessing the herbicide's efficacy across multiple invasive species, examining the role of environmental variables, investigating the longevity of the product in soils, and building partnerships to make the bioherbicide commercially available. These research objectives are expected to culminate in products and dissemination plans that align with the USGS's mission of translating research into practice. Funding for the cooperative agreement totals $498,392 across three years, with $103,001 allocated for the first budget year. Future year funding is contingent upon satisfactory progress and funding availability. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, and only one award is anticipated. There is no matching requirement for applicants. Proposals must clearly reflect the project’s three-year duration and adhere to USGS standards, including a mandatory data management plan that outlines how data will be preserved and shared. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by January 17, 2026, no later than 11:59 PM ET. Required submission components include a technical narrative, detailed budget narrative, SF-424A form, data management plan, biographical sketches for senior personnel, and current/pending support disclosures. Submissions must follow CESU IDC cap rules (17.5%) and geospatial data compliance standards, as well as meet all publication and reporting requirements. Eligibility is strictly limited to current North Atlantic Coast CESU-affiliated partners. For inquiries about the application process, potential applicants should contact Rachel Miller ([email protected]). For technical questions about the research objectives and project scope, applicants may contact Dr. Kurt Kowalski at the USGS Great Lakes Science Center. Annual progress reports and a final technical report are required, and funding is provided through the ASAP system. The agreement prohibits confidentiality clauses that restrict reporting of fraud or abuse, and recipients must adhere to all DOI and USGS publication, reporting, and data availability standards.

Ensure alignment with microbial endophyte goals; clearly define objectives; emphasize dissemination of results.