Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Great Lakes-Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU)

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), under the Department of the Interior, is offering a cooperative agreement opportunity for research focused on controlling the invasive Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) population in Lake Erie and its tributaries. This funding opportunity is specifically available to partners within the Great Lakes-Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU). The research aims to enhance understanding of Grass Carp behavior, survival, and movement to inform and strengthen control and eradication strategies across the Great Lakes, with special focus on Lake Erie. Grass Carp pose a significant ecological and economic threat to the Great Lakes. A binational Ecological Risk Assessment has identified the species as a critical concern, with estimates suggesting that an established population could result in losses exceeding $2 billion over the next decade. Captures of reproductively viable individuals and the presence of eggs and larvae in Lake Erie tributaries confirm active invasion. In response, fishery management agencies, coordinated through the Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Great Lakes Fisheries and the Grass Carp Advisory Committee (GCAC), have developed an adaptive response strategy focused on acoustic telemetry and habitat analysis. This project directly supports those objectives by leveraging the existing Great Lakes Acoustic Telemetry Observation System (GLATOS) and expanding monitoring into nearshore and tributary zones. The proposed research includes establishing a multi-tiered telemetry receiver array to monitor Grass Carp. It involves a basin-wide array, denser arrays for spawning tributaries, and an alert system for real-time detection. These tools will provide critical data on habitat use, survival, and movement patterns. The goals include identifying key areas and times for potential intervention and control measures. The recipient will be responsible for both fieldwork and quantitative data analysis to support timely decision-making by state and federal natural resource managers. The cooperative agreement will include one base year and three optional budget years. The total anticipated funding for the full project is $499,999, with $198,500 expected for Budget Year 1. Additional funding for subsequent years is contingent upon performance and available federal funds. No matching funds are required. The eligible applicant must be a current partner in the Great Lakes-Northern Forest CESU, which is a collaborative research and technical assistance network. All applications must be submitted via Grants.gov using the opportunity number G25AS00330. Required application materials include a detailed technical narrative with sections covering the research problem, objectives, methods, anticipated products, dissemination plans, schedule, and a complete budget narrative broken down by object class. Proposals must also include a data management plan, biographical sketches, and current and pending support documentation for key personnel. A Project Abstract Summary (PAS) must also be submitted as part of the application. Proposals will be evaluated on three weighted criteria: alignment with research objectives (40 points), the experience of the researchers (30 points), and the quality and feasibility of the work plan (30 points). The opportunity is currently active and accepting applications. All proposals must be submitted through Grants.gov. Questions regarding the application process should be directed to Rachel Miller at rachelmiller@usgs.gov, while technical inquiries should be addressed to Dr. James J. Roberts at jroberts@usgs.gov or by phone at 419-616-0060, ext. 217.

Applicants should disseminate findings to the scientific community and adhere to USGS standards.