Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Hawaii-Pacific Islands Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), through the Hawaiʻi-Pacific Islands Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU), is offering a cooperative agreement opportunity aimed at enhancing early detection and rapid response (EDRR) efforts for invasive species. The primary goal is to test the effectiveness of model-guided biosurveillance, focusing on first records of non-native species, with the broader objective of minimizing the ecological and economic impacts of biological invasions. USGS, a federal scientific agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior, operates CESU partnerships to advance collaborative research, education, and technical assistance involving natural and cultural resources. This funding opportunity supports a research project that integrates predictive modeling with field validation to identify emerging invasive plant species on the Island of Hawai‘i. The funded work will involve the development of scientifically rigorous sampling designs using model outputs to determine survey locations. The project also includes conducting botanical surveys to detect non-native species not previously recorded in the area, leveraging citizen science databases for preliminary identification, and validating new occurrences through specimen collection and taxonomic confirmation. The collected samples will be deposited in the Bishop Museum herbarium to ensure proper documentation and accessibility. The project places significant emphasis on using gathered data to assess the extent and abundance of detected invasive populations and to apply a decision-making framework. This framework will help determine appropriate management responses based on species traits, distribution, and global invasion history. The ultimate aim is to create an actionable EDRR pathway that integrates scientific modeling, on-the-ground surveillance, and responsive intervention, thus contributing to a more proactive invasive species management strategy in Hawai‘i. Funding for this project will be distributed through a cooperative agreement. One award is expected, with a total estimated funding of $171,003 over a three-year period. The initial funding for the first budget year is approximately $55,078, with continued funding in subsequent years contingent upon satisfactory progress and the availability of additional funds. Eligible applicants must be current partners of the Hawaiʻi-Pacific Islands CESU program. The application must be submitted via Grants.gov using the opportunity number G26AS00095. Proposals must include several key elements: a cover page with administrative and scientific contacts, a detailed technical narrative, a data management plan, and a thorough budget narrative aligned with the SF-424A format. The technical narrative must detail the project’s problem statement, objectives, methods, expected outcomes, dissemination plans, schedule, and any legal or ethical considerations. Applicants must also adhere to USGS policies on scientific integrity and data sharing, and provide biographical sketches and current/pending support documents for senior personnel in compliance with federal transparency standards. Applications will be evaluated by USGS personnel using four main criteria: alignment with project objectives, technical approach, budget justification, and applicant qualifications. The submission deadline is not recurring, and proposals are submitted entirely through Grants.gov. Questions should be directed to Rachel Miller at [email protected] for administrative issues, or Dr. Helen Sofaer at [email protected] for technical inquiries. Upon award, recipients must manage subrecipient compliance, submit annual and final progress and financial reports via GrantSolutions, and comply with geospatial data and publication guidelines outlined in the award terms.

Proposals should emphasize integration of modeling with field surveys and demonstrate botanical expertise for invasive species detection.