Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) | G26AS00115

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is a discretionary U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) funding opportunity for a cooperative agreement to support an affiliated partner of the Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU). The effort is intended to build a focused, integrated program in reclamation sciences, with an emphasis on reclamation issues tied to energy development and critical minerals in arid and semi-arid landscapes.

Who is offering and leading the work?

The opportunity is offered by USGS and is being led through the USGS Southwest Biological Science Center (SBSC). The selected partner is expected to work closely with USGS as an active collaborator.

What is the main goal of the cooperative agreement?

The goal is to strengthen the science base and practical decision support needed to manage lands after disturbance from oil, gas, mineral development, and similar land-disturbing activities. The intent is not only to generate research, but to improve reclamation effectiveness and efficiency and to support regulatory streamlining by reducing uncertainty through better science and clearer expectations.

What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement generally indicates substantial federal involvement during the project. In practical terms, applicants should expect an active partnership with USGS rather than a hands-off grant relationship.

What types of landscapes and disturbances are in scope?

The focus is on arid and semi-arid landscapes, particularly where land has been disturbed by oil and gas development, mineral development (including critical minerals), and similar activities that require reclamation.

Is the program focused on research only, or applied outcomes too?

The program is explicitly oriented toward real-world impact. While scientific synthesis and evaluation are central, the opportunity emphasizes practical tools, maps, and active communication so that findings are usable by decision-makers and practitioners, not just published in academic outlets.

What are the main categories of work the funded program is expected to deliver?

USGS describes three main categories of work:

1. Evaluate reclamation outcomes by surveying on-the-ground performance, analyzing results from existing experiments, and synthesizing lessons from the broader scientific literature.
2. Develop practical tools and maps to support reclamation planning and implementation (for example, spatial prioritization layers or predictive maps of reclamation potential or risk).
3. Translate and communicate findings by actively engaging stakeholders, including industry partners, so insights are adopted and used in practice.

What does "evaluate reclamation outcomes" involve in this opportunity?

It includes surveys of how reclamation is performing on the ground, analysis of results from existing experiments, and synthesis of the broader scientific literature. A stated purpose is to capitalize on what is already known, reduce duplication, and turn scattered information into clearer guidance about practices, treatments, timing, and site conditions associated with better reclamation success in arid systems.

What kinds of decision-support products are anticipated under the tools and maps component?

The opportunity points to applied products that practitioners can use, such as spatial prioritization layers, predictive maps of reclamation potential or risk, and other practical tools that help match reclamation strategies to site conditions.

How important is stakeholder communication in this program?

Stakeholder communication is framed as a core deliverable, not an optional add-on. The program is expected to actively communicate findings to stakeholders, including industry partners, reflecting a priority on adoption and measurable real-world impact.

What is meant by building a "program" rather than a single study?

The emphasis on a program suggests USGS is looking for an integrated approach that can persist beyond a single study. Based on the description, this includes combining data synthesis, tool development, and ongoing communication with end users to create transferable, reusable outcomes across sites and project types.

What is the CESU Program and why does it matter here?

The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program is a partnership model used by federal agencies to access research, technical assistance, and education capacity through a network of affiliated institutions and organizations. Because this is a CESU opportunity, eligibility is restricted to partners within the relevant CESU network.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to participating partners of the Colorado Plateau CESU. The solicitation is not open to the general public or to all universities by default; the applicant must already be a partner in the Colorado Plateau CESU to be eligible.

Is this opportunity expected to fund multiple awards or a single award?

USGS anticipates a single award under this opportunity.

What is the maximum funding amount available?

The award ceiling is $475,000, which is the maximum amount expected for the cooperative agreement.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is G26AS00115.

What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA (Assistance Listing) 15.808.

What activity category does this opportunity fall under?

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

When was this opportunity created and what is the closing date?

The opportunity was created on May 1, 2026. The original closing date is May 30, 2026.

What outcomes is USGS trying to improve through this program?

Based on the description, USGS is aiming to improve reclamation outcomes in ways that are measurable and transferable across sites and project types, identify where reclamation is working versus falling short, and support more efficient decision-making by reducing uncertainty for agencies and industry through clearer, science-based expectations.

How does this work relate to energy development and critical minerals?

The program focus is closely tied to reclamation challenges associated with energy development and critical minerals, particularly in arid and semi-arid landscapes where disturbance from development can be extensive and reclamation outcomes can be variable.

What kinds of partners are expected to use the results?

The opportunity highlights communication to stakeholders and specifically mentions industry partners. The description also indicates the work is intended to support agencies and industry alike by reducing uncertainty and supporting more efficient, science-based decisions.