Opportunity Information: Apply for G26AS00151
This funding opportunity is a discretionary cooperative agreement from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), specifically the Fort Collins Science Center, to support research on the long-term demography of bumble bees, with an emphasis on imperiled species. The central target is Bombus affinis, the rusty patched bumble bee (RPBB), a species that was once widespread but has experienced sharp population declines over roughly the past two decades and is now federally listed under the Endangered Species Act. The overall purpose is to generate practical, management-ready science that helps the Department of the Interior (DOI) and other land-management partners understand population status, track recovery progress, and implement effective recovery strategies for at-risk bumble bees.
Only applicants that are participating partners in the Great Lakes Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) are eligible. CESUs are structured partnerships designed to connect federal agencies with university and other research partners to provide research, technical assistance, and education. This award is framed as a cooperative agreement, meaning substantial involvement and collaboration with USGS is expected throughout the project, from shaping the research program to producing final deliverables used in management decision-making.
The scope of work centers on building and improving the scientific foundation needed to monitor bumble bee populations over the long term in a sustainable, cost-effective way. The opportunity highlights four main research interest areas. First is the establishment and ongoing maintenance of site-based surveys that can document long-term trends in the presence and status of rusty patched bumble bee populations. Second is the evaluation and development of novel monitoring technologies that could improve detection, reduce field effort, or expand the ability to monitor across many locations. Third is research to determine what level and type of sampling effort is required to produce statistically defensible estimates of population trends, which is critical because trend estimation can be unreliable if sampling is too sparse, inconsistent, or not designed around appropriate statistical power. Fourth is support for compiling and organizing demographic data, which can include standardizing datasets, integrating information across partners, and improving the accessibility and usefulness of monitoring results for agencies and stakeholders.
A major driver behind the work is the recognized knowledge gap around long-term population trends for declining bumble bees. While rapid approaches have been developed to estimate annual site occupancy (whether the species is detected at a site in a given year), this project aims to help implement those protocols in ways that can generate credible long-term trend lines. In addition, the project aims to move beyond simple presence/absence by helping develop methods to estimate abundance, and by testing emerging tools that could detect both presence and abundance more efficiently at local sites, particularly in the Upper Midwest where monitoring and recovery needs are high.
The expected outcomes are research products and monitoring results that directly support conservation and land-management actions. By producing credible population estimates and trend information for RPBB, the project is intended to inform recovery planning and provide evidence that can be used to evaluate progress toward recovery and, eventually, delisting decisions. The description also emphasizes that improved population evidence can help states and private stakeholders avoid unnecessary regulatory impacts by clarifying where populations are stable, improving, or low, and by reducing uncertainty about nest abundance and distribution.
The opportunity explicitly connects this work to policy priorities described as aligning with EO 14192 and SO 3421 related to deregulation, arguing that rigorous, credible recovery monitoring is needed to avoid unnecessary regulatory actions. It also notes collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop automated monitoring systems that could substantially reduce monitoring costs at Department of the Army or comparable facilities, suggesting an applied technology component with clear operational benefits.
In terms of basic award details, the opportunity number is G26AS00151, administered by the Geological Survey, with activity focused on science and technology and other research and development under CFDA 15.808. USGS expects to make one award, with an award ceiling of $399,000. The original closing date listed is 2026-08-14, and the opportunity was created on 2026-07-14. The core expectation is a tightly coordinated federal-university (and potentially broader partner) effort that produces decision-relevant monitoring tools, datasets, and analyses that strengthen bumble bee conservation outcomes while improving efficiency and reducing long-term monitoring costs.Apply for G26AS00151
- 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 Great Lakes Northern Forest 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 2026-07-14.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-14. (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 $399,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is a discretionary cooperative agreement from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Fort Collins Science Center, to support research on the long-term demography of bumble bees, with an emphasis on imperiled species.
What is the main species focus of the project?
The central target is Bombus affinis, the rusty patched bumble bee (RPBB). The RPBB was once widespread, has experienced sharp declines over roughly the past two decades, and is federally listed under the Endangered Species Act.
What is the overall purpose of the award?
The purpose is to generate practical, management-ready science that helps the Department of the Interior (DOI) and other land-management partners understand population status, track recovery progress, and implement effective recovery strategies for at-risk bumble bees.
Who is eligible to apply?
Only applicants that are participating partners in the Great Lakes Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) are eligible to apply.
What is a CESU in this context?
CESUs are structured partnerships designed to connect federal agencies with university and other research partners to provide research, technical assistance, and education.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
This award is framed as a cooperative agreement, which means substantial involvement and collaboration with USGS is expected throughout the project. That collaboration can include shaping the research program and producing final deliverables intended for use in management decision-making.
How many awards does USGS expect to make?
USGS expects to make one award.
What is the maximum funding amount available?
The award ceiling is $399,000.
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is G26AS00151.
Which agency is administering the opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the Geological Survey (USGS), specifically the Fort Collins Science Center.
What is the CFDA number and activity type listed?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.808, with activity focused on science and technology and other research and development.
What are the key research interest areas highlighted in the scope of work?
The opportunity highlights four main research interest areas:
- Establishing and maintaining site-based surveys to document long-term trends in RPBB presence and status.
- Evaluating and developing novel monitoring technologies that improve detection, reduce field effort, or enable monitoring across many locations.
- Determining the sampling effort needed to produce statistically defensible estimates of population trends (including attention to power and design issues that can undermine trend estimation).
- Compiling and organizing demographic data, including standardizing datasets, integrating information across partners, and improving accessibility and usefulness of results for agencies and stakeholders.
What does the opportunity mean by "site-based surveys"?
In this context, site-based surveys refer to establishing and maintaining surveys at specific locations over time so long-term trends in RPBB presence and status can be documented.
Why is long-term monitoring emphasized?
A major driver is a recognized knowledge gap around long-term population trends for declining bumble bees. While rapid approaches exist to estimate annual site occupancy, the project aims to implement protocols in ways that produce credible long-term trend lines.
Is the work limited to presence/absence monitoring?
No. The description emphasizes moving beyond simple presence/absence by helping develop methods to estimate abundance, and by testing emerging tools that could detect both presence and abundance more efficiently.
What kinds of monitoring technologies are of interest?
The opportunity calls for evaluation and development of novel monitoring technologies that could improve detection, reduce field effort, or expand monitoring across many locations. It also references collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop automated monitoring systems that could reduce monitoring costs at Department of the Army or comparable facilities.
Why does the scope include research on sampling effort and statistical defensibility?
Trend estimation can be unreliable if sampling is too sparse, inconsistent, or not designed around appropriate statistical power. The project therefore emphasizes determining what level and type of sampling effort is required to produce statistically defensible trend estimates.
What kinds of data work are expected under "compiling and organizing demographic data"?
The description includes standardizing datasets, integrating information across partners, and improving the accessibility and usefulness of monitoring results for agencies and stakeholders.
What geographic area is specifically mentioned as a monitoring priority?
The opportunity notes that monitoring and recovery needs are high in the Upper Midwest, particularly for developing tools that can efficiently detect presence and abundance at local sites.
What are the expected outcomes or deliverables from this award?
Expected outcomes include research products and monitoring results that directly support conservation and land-management actions, including decision-relevant monitoring tools, datasets, and analyses that strengthen bumble bee conservation outcomes while improving efficiency and reducing long-term monitoring costs.
How will the results be used for recovery planning and decision-making?
By producing credible population estimates and trend information for RPBB, the work is intended to inform recovery planning and provide evidence that can be used to evaluate progress toward recovery and, eventually, delisting decisions.
How does the opportunity describe potential regulatory or policy relevance?
The description states that improved population evidence can help states and private stakeholders avoid unnecessary regulatory impacts by clarifying where populations are stable, improving, or low, and by reducing uncertainty about nest abundance and distribution. It also frames the work as aligned with EO 14192 and SO 3421 related to deregulation, emphasizing that rigorous monitoring can help avoid unnecessary regulatory actions.
What is the application deadline?
The original closing date listed is 2026-08-14.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2026-07-14.
What is the intended partnership model for this work?
The opportunity emphasizes a tightly coordinated federal-university effort, potentially involving broader partners, with substantial USGS involvement throughout the project and outputs designed to be used in real management decisions.
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