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

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), under the U.S. Department of the Interior, has issued a funding opportunity through a cooperative agreement to support native mussel restoration in the Great Lakes region. This opportunity is exclusive to partners affiliated with the Great Lakes Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU), a collaborative network that integrates federal agencies and academic institutions for scientific research, education, and technical assistance. The cooperative agreement focuses on addressing critical restoration efforts within the Indiana Dunes National Park (NPS-INDU), with broader implications for regional ecosystems and biodiversity conservation. The purpose of this funding is to advance the Native Mussel Initiative (NMI), a component of the broader Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). Specifically, the project will tackle four core restoration objectives outlined in the Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Strategy: Detection (locating mussels, their hosts, and potential restoration sites), Habitat (assessing environmental needs), Biology/Disease (studying stressors and host responses), and Reintroduction (boosting mussel populations and evaluating ecosystem outcomes). The work will involve extensive collaboration among the USGS, National Park Service, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and other CESU-affiliated institutions to apply robust scientific practices to mussel propagation and habitat enhancement. A focal point of the initiative is the East Branch of the Little Calumet River, a historically rich mussel habitat within Indiana Dunes National Park. Of the 18 native mussel species that once thrived there, only a few remain. The project will prioritize laboratory (in vitro) mussel propagation to circumvent natural host-dependent reproduction challenges. With in vitro methods showing high juvenile survival rates compared to natural methods, the project aims to overcome known bottlenecks in early development stages, investigate microbial impacts on mussel health, and test alternative antimicrobial media for stress reduction. It also seeks to improve understanding of sediment roles in juvenile rearing environments. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov using funding opportunity number G26AS00033 by January 6, 2026, no later than 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Required components include a technical narrative, budget narrative, cover page with detailed personnel and partner information, and a Data Management Plan. Applicants are encouraged to outline objectives, methodologies, expected outcomes, and dissemination strategies. Proposals must demonstrate relevance to USGS science priorities and the technical capacity to execute field and lab research. The cooperative agreement will span one base year with four potential continuation years, totaling an estimated $364,542 in funding, with $59,711 allocated for the first year. Continued funding is contingent upon performance and availability of funds. Eligibility is limited to institutions already participating in the Great Lakes Northern Forest CESU. The anticipated number of awards is one. Applications will be evaluated based on relevance, technical approach, budget clarity, and applicant qualifications, with awards administered through USGS's Grants Management Office. Questions on submission logistics should be directed to Grants Management Specialist Rachel Miller at rachelmiller@usgs.gov. For technical inquiries, applicants may contact Muruleedhara Byappanahalli at the USGS Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station. The final technical report will be due 120 days after the period of performance concludes, and recipients are responsible for complying with publication, geospatial data, and financial reporting requirements as outlined in the announcement.

Clearly link methods to stated restoration goals; explain in vitro propagation knowledge; include relevant past performance with mussel or aquatic restoration projects.