Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) | G25AS00354

Opportunity Information: Apply for G25AS00354

This funding opportunity is a discretionary cooperative agreement from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), specifically the Great Lakes Science Center, focused on advancing research under the topic "Targeted Genomic Approaches for the Control of Invasive Plants in Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems." The core aim is to develop and evaluate RNA interference (RNAi) based control methods for two high-impact invasive plant species in North America: Phragmites australis (the non-native common reed) and Hydrocharis morsus-ranae (European frog-bit). The work is positioned as a collaborative project, meaning USGS expects substantial involvement and coordination with the selected recipient during the project period rather than a hands-off grant structure.

A major driver for this project is that prior USGS and partner investments have already produced foundational genomic and transcriptomic datasets for both target species. In practical terms, that existing sequence information lowers the barrier to designing species-specific RNAi constructs, because researchers can identify genetic targets that are more likely to be unique to the invasive species and less likely to overlap with native plants. The opportunity also highlights a key gap in the current scientific literature: there are no published studies that directly examine potential non-target impacts of RNAi constructs on plants closely related to the invasive targets. Because related native species may share similar gene sequences, assessing off-target or unintended effects is essential for ensuring environmental safety and for building the evidence base needed for any future field use or regulatory consideration. As a result, this project is not just about creating RNAi candidates, but also about testing and validating them, with special attention to specificity and non-target risk.

The award is issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program, which is designed to connect federal agencies with partner institutions to deliver research, technical assistance, and education that supports natural resource stewardship. A critical eligibility restriction applies here: applicants must already be participating partners of the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (Gulf Coast CESU). In other words, the competition is not open to the general public or all research organizations; it is limited to organizations that are formal members of that CESU network. The funding instrument is explicitly a cooperative agreement, reflecting the expectation of active federal participation in shaping, supporting, or coordinating the research.

Key administrative details include the funding opportunity title "Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)" and the opportunity number G25AS00354. The agency is listed as the Geological Survey, and the assistance listing (CFDA) number is 15.808, which corresponds to USGS research and data activities. The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development, aligning with the genomics and applied invasive species management focus. The posting indicates an award ceiling of 484,138, with the closing date set for 2025-10-30, and a creation date of 2025-09-25. The listing also signals an expectation of awards, though the specific number of expected awards is not clearly provided in the source text.

Overall, the opportunity supports applied, genomics-driven invasive plant management research that aims to move beyond conventional control tools by building RNAi-based treatments that are targeted, defensible, and demonstrably safer for non-target plants. It is structured to leverage existing genomic resources, address a well-defined knowledge gap around non-target effects, and produce practical insights and prototypes that could strengthen future invasive species control strategies in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

• 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 Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)" 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 2025-09-25.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-10-30. (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 $484,138.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for G25AS00354

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