Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Hawaiʻi-Pacific Islands Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) 2026 Grant

DOI-USGS1

About this grant

This cooperative agreement opportunity (Funding Opportunity G27AS00073) from the U.S. Geological Survey funds an affiliated partner of the Hawaiʻi-Pacific Islands Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU). The funded project addresses invasive species, which are among the greatest threats to biodiversity, biosecurity, ecosystem functioning and human well-being in Hawaiʻi. The horticultural trade is the predominant pathway for non-native plant introduction in the state, yet managers lack information on which species pose the greatest current and future risk. The project will analyse invasion records and ornamental trade data for roughly 19,000 plant taxa to identify horticultural species likely to establish under local Hawaiian conditions. It will map geographic areas of highest invasion risk and flag species of concern, considering invasion history, weed risk scores, nursery locations, and overlap with human infrastructure and conservation areas. Outputs are intended to inform risk-based screening, early detection priorities, and management planning for federal and state partners, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife. The work is also framed as supporting hazard mitigation (wildfire, erosion) and preparedness goals under several executive orders and Secretarial Order 3441. The notice states that projects should advance Administration priorities such as energy dominance, critical minerals, water security, infrastructure resilience and natural hazard preparedness, and may draw on hydrology, geology, geospatial science, biosecurity and related fields.

Eligibility

Eligible recipients must be a participating partner of the Hawaiʻi-Pacific Islands Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. The listed applicant category is "Others", with eligibility clarified by reference to CESU participation. The expected number of awards is one.

Key requirements

• ✓Applicant must be an affiliated partner of the Hawaiʻi-Pacific Islands Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)
• ✓Project analyses invasion history, weed risk scores, nursery locations and ornamental trade data to flag horticultural invasion risks in Hawaiʻi
• ✓Outputs must inform federal and state partners such as USFWS, NPS and Hawaiʻi DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife; deadline 2026-11-14

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does DOI-USGS1 offer?

Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Hawaiʻi-Pacific Islands Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) offers $1 – $435K.

When is the Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Hawaiʻi-Pacific Islands Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) deadline?

Applications close 15 Nov 2026 04:59.

Who can apply for Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Hawaiʻi-Pacific Islands Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)?

Eligibility covers organisations in US; university, research-institution, nonprofit. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Biodiversity funding backs habitat restoration, species protection, protected areas and nature-positive business. It comes from environment agencies, multilateral nature funds and conservation philanthropy, often through competitive calls with defined regions. Applicants are usually asked for baseline surveys, local partners and indicators that show ecological change.