Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), through its Arizona Water Science Center (AzWSC), has released a funding opportunity under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) program. This award is intended for a CESU partner affiliated with the Colorado Plateau CESU to support research on riparian restoration in the Colorado River Basin. The project seeks to improve understanding of restoration techniques and their effectiveness in reestablishing ecological health, particularly with respect to riparian vegetation and avian populations. The Colorado River and its tributaries provide important ecosystems in the arid western United States, but these areas have suffered significant degradation due to drought, invasive species, wildfire, and changes in hydrology caused by dam operations. The program will combine the expertise of federal researchers with academic or institutional partners to analyze long-term datasets and provide resource managers with actionable insights for effective restoration and management. The overarching objectives of this program are to foster collaborative, cooperative research that evaluates riparian restoration strategies, examines vegetation and hydrological changes, and assesses outcomes for bird species and habitat functionality. The first year of work will focus on the Colorado River delta in connection with the U.S.-Mexico Minute 323 agreement, including participation in a binational science team, data management, and analysis of vegetation, avian presence, and hydrologic variables. The recipient will be expected to engage in data quality control, statistical analyses, interpretation of results, and preparation of publications. Years two through five will expand the research to include restoration planning and implementation across other riparian systems in western North America, such as post-wildfire recovery areas and invasive species management zones. The cooperative agreement will be structured for one base year with four possible additional budget years, for a total potential period of five years. The total estimated project funding is $380,000, with $80,000 expected for the first budget year. Additional years’ funding is contingent on satisfactory performance and availability of appropriations. One award is anticipated under this opportunity. Allowable costs and budget structure should align with federal guidelines, and CESU indirect cost rates are capped at 17.5 percent. The program emphasizes collaboration and dissemination, requiring recipients to share findings in peer-reviewed journals, cooperator publications, and scientific meetings. Eligibility for this program is restricted to institutional partners within the Colorado Plateau CESU network. Applicants must submit proposals through Grants.gov using the funding opportunity number G25AS00347. Required proposal components include a detailed technical narrative, budget narrative, and supporting documentation. The technical narrative should clearly state objectives, procedures, planned products, dissemination strategies, schedules, and references. Applicants must also include a Data Management Plan and biographical sketches of key personnel, following federal disclosure requirements. Progress will be monitored through annual reporting, with final technical and financial reports due after completion of the agreement. Applications will be evaluated by USGS and federal reviewers based on purpose and relevance, technical approach, budget clarity, and qualifications of applicants. Scoring criteria place equal emphasis on objectives, methods, budget justification, and demonstrated expertise. Applicants are expected to show proven ability in riparian ecology, statistical analysis, and experience with large ecological datasets. The cooperative framework is designed to integrate federal hydrologic expertise with partner analytical capacity for broader scientific and resource management impacts. All proposals must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. The Grants.gov Help Desk provides technical assistance, while Rachel Miller, a Grants Management Specialist at USGS, is the primary administrative contact. Technical questions should be directed to Libby Wildermuth at the USGS Arizona Water Science Center in Tucson, Arizona. The funding announcement emphasizes compliance with federal reporting, publication, and data-sharing requirements, ensuring that research findings support both conservation objectives and public transparency. This cooperative agreement represents a significant opportunity for CESU partners to contribute to long-term ecosystem restoration and management in the Colorado River Basin.