Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the North Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G26AS00060

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the funding opportunity number for this announcement?

The funding opportunity number is G26AS00060.

Which federal agency is offering this award?

This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), specifically the Great Lakes Science Center.

What type of funding mechanism is being used?

This is a discretionary cooperative agreement, which indicates substantial involvement and collaboration between USGS and the selected partner (as opposed to a more hands-off grant).

What is the main goal of the project?

The core aim is to advance environmentally friendly invasive plant control research, with an emphasis on Phragmites australis (common reed), in order to support development of a new, low-toxicity bioherbicide and related management strategies.

Which invasive species is the primary focus?

The primary emphasis is on Phragmites australis, commonly known as common reed.

What kinds of outcomes is the opportunity trying to support?

The opportunity seeks research outcomes that can lead to:

• A low-toxicity bioherbicide concept for Phragmites control
• Related management strategies that land and resource managers can use in practice
• Highly effective and efficient approaches that help reduce treatment costs and improve reliability
• A scientific/development pathway that could be adapted to other invasive plant species across multiple ecosystems

Why does the notice emphasize "low-toxicity" control options?

The described purpose is to create an environmentally friendly approach that still achieves high effectiveness and efficiency, offering practical options for treating Phragmites infestations while improving reliability and potentially lowering treatment costs.

What scientific theme is central to this project?

A central theme is the role of microbial endophytes, which are microorganisms living inside plant tissues that can influence plant growth, health, and stress tolerance.

What are microbial endophytes, in the context of this opportunity?

In this notice, microbial endophytes are described as microorganisms that live within plant tissues and may influence plant growth, health, and tolerance to stress.

How are endophytes connected to invasive Phragmites success?

The opportunity calls for collaborative research to understand how microbial endophytes may help invasive Phragmites thrive under harsh or variable conditions, potentially by strengthening the plant through symbiotic relationships.

What is the proposed control approach based on endophytes?

Rather than relying only on traditional herbicide approaches, the research is intended to explore controlling invasive Phragmites by undermining biological partnerships that contribute to invasiveness. The notice describes weakening Phragmites by disrupting or counteracting beneficial microbial partners.

What types of interventions does the opportunity describe?

The notice describes targeted approaches such as:

• Developing low-toxicity compounds that interfere with beneficial plant-microbe symbioses
• Using antagonistic microbes that reduce Phragmites competitiveness

Does the opportunity focus only on Phragmites, or could it apply to other invasive plants?

While Phragmites is the emphasized target, the broader purpose includes establishing a pathway that could be adapted to other invasive plant species that damage agricultural lands, rangelands, wetlands, and other natural ecosystems.

What is the broader problem this project is trying to address?

The notice frames a need for invasive plant control methods that are both highly effective and efficient, improve reliability for managers, and reduce treatment costs, while also being more environmentally friendly.

Is this opportunity building on previous USGS work?

Yes. The notice states that the work builds on prior and ongoing USGS-supported investments that have already generated promising technologies.

What has prior USGS-supported work produced so far?

According to the notice, earlier efforts have produced several patent applications and patents, and some technologies have progressed far enough to be licensed by commercial entities.

What gap does this new funding opportunity aim to fill?

The notice highlights that additional field testing and further development are still needed to move candidate bioherbicide concepts and related tools toward real-world deployment, especially as commercial partners become involved.

Why is the cooperative agreement structure important here?

The cooperative agreement structure reflects the expectation of substantial collaboration, coordination, and shared effort between USGS and the selected partner, particularly given the need for further development and field testing.

What program is this award offered under?

This award is offered under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program.

What is the purpose of the CESU Program, as described in the notice?

The notice describes CESU as a program designed to link federal agencies with partner institutions to deliver research, technical assistance, and education.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to organizations that are already participating partners in the North Atlantic Coast CESU.

How many awards does the notice expect to make?

The opportunity lists one expected award.

What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?

The listed award ceiling is $498,392.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number is 15.808.

What is the activity category for this funding opportunity?

The opportunity falls within the "Science and Technology and other Research and Development" activity category.

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on December 17, 2025.

What is the application closing date?

The original closing date is January 17, 2026.

What does "original closing date" mean in this context?

Based on the wording provided, January 17, 2026 is the closing date listed in the notice as originally posted.

Is this described as a research-only effort, or does it include field work?

The notice explicitly points to a need for more field testing and further development to move candidate concepts toward real-world deployment.

How does this opportunity relate to commercialization?

The notice mentions that some earlier USGS-supported technologies have been licensed by commercial entities, and it emphasizes further development and field testing needed as commercial partners become involved.