Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Californian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in partnership with the Western Fisheries Research Center and other organizations, is offering a funding opportunity through the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. This initiative, titled the "State of Washington Dreissenid Risk Assessment Project," aims to develop a standardized risk assessment model for invasive dreissenid mussels in Washington State's watersheds, particularly in the Columbia and Snake River Basins. This project will adapt methodologies from a similar model implemented in the Missouri River Basin, addressing risks such as the introduction, establishment, and spread of dreissenid mussels and the associated damages. The outcomes will guide resource managers in Washington to prioritize financial resources effectively for monitoring and controlling dreissenid infestations. A single award of $126,900 is available for fiscal year 2025 under this program. The funded organization will collaborate closely with USGS to adapt the existing Missouri River Basin model to the Columbia River Basin by incorporating various datasets. These include water quality information, access points, infestation locations, water body characteristics, and other critical ecological data. Deliverables will include reports, analyses, and disseminated findings intended to aid local and state resource managers, as well as the broader scientific community. Eligible applicants must be affiliated partners of the Californian CESU Program. Proposals must include details about the principal investigator, technical contacts, project objectives, methodologies, and planned dissemination strategies. Budget information should cover salaries, field and laboratory expenses, equipment costs, and other relevant expenditures, aligning with CESU's negotiated indirect cost rate of 17.5%. Applicants are also required to submit a Data Management Plan detailing the handling and sharing of research data. Applications will be evaluated based on the relevance and clarity of the research objectives, the technical approach, budget justification, and the qualifications of the applicant team. Scoring will prioritize the proposal's alignment with the project's goals, including its methodological robustness and resource feasibility. Successful applicants will demonstrate experience with similar models and ecosystems. Submissions are due electronically via Grants.gov, and questions can be directed to Faith Graves, the CESU Contract Specialist. Proposals will undergo a review process led by USGS technical personnel, with final selections made by the contracting officer. Recipients are expected to comply with federal reporting requirements, including annual and final technical reports, financial reports, and publications acknowledging USGS support. This funding opportunity represents a focused effort to enhance ecological management and resource allocation for invasive species control in Washington State's critical watersheds. It emphasizes collaboration, scientific rigor, and practical application to support sustainable environmental stewardship.