# Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Southern Appalachian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/g27as00165-cooperative-agreement-for-affiliated-partner-with-the/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/364016

> Geological Survey offered grants of up to $330,000 (at least $1) to the applicants described in the notice. It expected to make one award worth $330,000 in total. Applications closed on October 30, 2026.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | G27AS00165 |
| Agency | Geological Survey |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | October 30, 2026 |
| Award ceiling | $330,000 |
| Award floor | $1 |
| Expected awards | 1 |
| Total funding | $330,000 |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 15.808 |

## Who can apply

- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

This financial assistance opportunity is being issued under a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program. CESUs are partnerships that provide research, technical assistance, and education. Eligible recipients must be a participating partner of the Southern Appalachian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program.

## What the grant funds

Invasive climbing plants, or vines, are spreading rapidly throughout the southeastern United States and the U.S. Caribbean, smothering local vegetation, altering forest structure, increasing infrastructure maintenance costs, and complicating management efforts for natural and working landscapes. Their expansion is influenced by disturbances such as hurricanes, flooding, uprooted trees, landslides, and wildfires, yet information is currently fragmented across jurisdictions, ecosystems, and stakeholders. This project will build a database with information on species status, traits linked to their spread, and the locations of recent disturbances to better understand the causes of vine expansion. The database will also feature maps showing where different species could spread in the future, covering species from the mainland U.S., Puerto Rico, and other parts of the world, categorized by whether they are already present or have not yet been detected in the region. Managers can use these maps to identify areas most at risk for invasive vine spread in coming decades. By assembling a regional database, synthesizing management strategies, and engaging partners, this project will provide a clear framework for detecting and effectively responding to invasive vines. This work supports EO 14313 - Establishing the President's Make America Beautiful Again Commission) by advancing science-based stewardship of natural resources and strengthening the capacity of agencies and communities to safeguard vulnerable ecosystems from biological degradation. This work also supports EO14303 (Restoring Gold Standard Science) and SO3441 (Implementing the Requirements of Executive Order 14303, Restoring Gold Standard Science) by strengthening American leadership in adaptation science and providing credible, reliable, and impartial scientific evidence to reduce the economic damages caused by proliferating vines. Projects supported under this cooperative agreement should advance Administration priorities, including, but not limited to, American energy dominance, critical mineral development, water security, infrastructure resilience, and natural hazard preparedness.

## Questions people ask

### Is G27AS00165 still open?

No. It closed on October 30, 2026. A newer notice is open: G27AS00066, closes December 7, 2026 (30 days left).

### Who can apply for Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Southern Appalachian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)?

Geological Survey accepted applications from the applicants described in the notice. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with the Southern Appalachian Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)?

Closed October 30, 2026. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $330,000 each. About $330,000 in total for one award.

### Who has won U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Trustees of the Colorado School of Mines, University of Alaska Fairbanks, California Institute of Technology. The program made 1,128 awards worth $629 million in that time.