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

Opportunity Information: Apply for G26AS00060

This funding opportunity (G26AS00060) is a discretionary cooperative agreement from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), specifically the Great Lakes Science Center, focused on advancing environmentally friendly ways to control invasive plants, with an emphasis on Phragmites australis (common reed). The core aim is to support research that can lead to a new, low-toxicity bioherbicide and related management strategies that give land and resource managers more practical options for treating Phragmites infestations. The broader purpose is to create a control approach that is both highly effective and efficient, helping reduce treatment costs and improving the reliability of invasive plant management, while also establishing a scientific and development pathway that could be adapted to other invasive plant species that damage agricultural lands, rangelands, wetlands, and other natural ecosystems.

A central scientific theme of the project is the role of microbial endophytes, which are microorganisms that live inside plant tissues and can influence plant growth, health, and stress tolerance. The opportunity calls for collaborative research to better understand how these endophytes may be helping invasive Phragmites thrive under harsh or variable conditions. By identifying and characterizing the symbiotic relationships that strengthen Phragmites, the project aims to exploit that knowledge in a targeted way: weakening the plant by disrupting or counteracting its beneficial microbial partners. This could be done through the development of low-toxicity compounds that interfere with these symbioses or through the use of antagonistic microbes that reduce Phragmites competitiveness. In other words, instead of relying only on traditional herbicide approaches, the research is intended to push toward a model where invasive species control can be achieved by undermining the biological partnerships that contribute to invasiveness.

The notice also makes clear that this work builds on a foundation of prior and ongoing USGS-supported investments that have already generated promising technologies. Those earlier efforts have produced several patent applications and patents, and some have progressed far enough to be licensed by commercial entities. Even with that progress, the opportunity highlights a remaining gap: more field testing and further development are needed to move candidate bioherbicide concepts and related tools toward real-world deployment, especially as commercial partners become involved. The cooperative agreement structure reflects that expectation of substantial collaboration, coordination, and shared effort between USGS and the selected partner, rather than a more hands-off grant arrangement.

This award is being offered under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program, which is designed to link federal agencies with partner institutions to deliver research, technical assistance, and education. Eligibility is limited to organizations that are already participating partners in the North Atlantic Coast CESU. The opportunity lists one expected award with an award ceiling of $498,392 under CFDA number 15.808, and it falls within the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category. The opportunity was created on December 17, 2025, and the original closing date is January 17, 2026.

• The Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the North Atlantic Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.808.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2025-12-17.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-01-17. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $498,392.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for G26AS00060

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