Opportunity Information: Apply for G26AS00120
This funding opportunity is a US Geological Survey (USGS) cooperative agreement aimed specifically at an affiliated partner within the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU). The project focus is applied science and technology: developing remote sensing algorithms and validating remote sensing data products to evaluate phytoplankton communities in the Barataria estuary. In practical terms, the work is meant to test how well remote sensing tools can be used to monitor phytoplankton in an estuarine environment, where water conditions are complex and can change quickly. Because phytoplankton sit at the base of aquatic food webs, improving the ability to measure their distribution and community dynamics supports broader ecosystem monitoring, fisheries and habitat assessments, and restoration decision-making in coastal Louisiana.
The award is issued as a cooperative agreement, which typically means the USGS expects to be substantially involved during the project rather than simply providing pass-through grant funding. The opportunity sits under the CESU Program, a federal partnership framework designed to connect agencies with eligible universities, research institutions, and other partner organizations to deliver research, technical assistance, and education. Eligibility is narrow: applicants must already be participating partners in the Gulf Coast CESU. The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.808, categorized as discretionary funding, with an activity focus in science and technology and other research and development.
Funding is capped at an award ceiling of $400,000, and the USGS expects to make one award. The posted opportunity number is G26AS00120. The announcement was created on May 29, 2026, with an original closing date of June 29, 2026. Taken together, that suggests a single, targeted project intended to fill a specific science need rather than a broad, multi-award competition.
The science objective centers on two connected deliverables: (1) remote sensing algorithm development and (2) product validation for phytoplankton community evaluation in Barataria estuary. Algorithm development implies building or improving methods that translate sensor measurements (for example, spectral reflectance) into biologically meaningful indicators related to phytoplankton. Validation implies collecting or leveraging field observations and other reference datasets to test whether the remote sensing-derived outputs are accurate and reliable in the estuary. Estuaries are notoriously challenging for ocean-color style remote sensing because suspended sediments, colored dissolved organic matter, shallow bottoms, and changing salinity and turbidity can confound signals that are easier to interpret in open water. A project of this type typically aims to reduce those uncertainties so the resulting products are credible for management and restoration use.
The Notice of Funding Opportunity is framed as aligned with several Executive Orders, Secretarial Orders, and statutory authorization that emphasize conservation, wetlands protection, scientific integrity, and restoration. The cited Executive Orders include EO 14313 (Establishing the President’s Make America Beautiful Again Commission, July 3, 2025), which promotes conservation, restoration of lands and waters, and expanded access to public lands; EO 14303 (Restoring Gold Standard Science, May 23, 2025), emphasizing rigor, integrity, and transparency in federally funded science; EO 14239 (Achieving Efficiency Through State and Local Preparedness, March 19, 2025), emphasizing resilience and risk-informed decision-making with strong state and local roles; EO 11990 (Protection of Wetlands, May 24, 1977), directing federal agencies to minimize destruction or modification of wetlands; and EO 13956 (Modernizing America’s Water Resource Management and Water Infrastructure, October 13, 2020), supporting better coordination around water resources and resilience that can benefit wetland systems.
The cited Secretarial Orders similarly reinforce themes of scientific integrity, restoration, and access. These include SO 3441 (Implementing the Requirements of EO 14303, August 29, 2025), which underscores scientific integrity and evidence-based restoration planning; SO 3442 (Land and Water Conservation Fund Implementation, September 4, 2025), prioritizing projects tied to water quality, flood protection, and wetland restoration; SO 3447 (Expanding Hunting and Fishing Access, January 7, 2026), linking restored lands and waters to public access and consistent management; SO 3347 (Conservation Stewardship and Outdoor Recreation, March 2, 2017), supporting stewardship and recreation opportunities tied to healthy habitats; and SO 3356 (Hunting Heritage and Wildlife Conservation, September 15, 2017), promoting wildlife conservation and habitat restoration. The opportunity also references the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2701, 2761) as an authorization basis connected to restoration of natural resources injured by oil spills, which is particularly relevant to Gulf Coast ecosystems and long-term monitoring needs in areas affected by past spill impacts.
Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a focused, single-award research partnership: USGS is looking for a Gulf Coast CESU partner to deliver credible, field-validated remote sensing methods and data products that improve monitoring of phytoplankton in Barataria estuary. The intended payoff is better, more defensible ecosystem information to support wetland and coastal restoration, water resource coordination, and science-based management consistent with federal conservation and scientific integrity priorities.Apply for G26AS00120
- 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" 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 2026-05-29.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-29. (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 $400,000.00 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 is a US Geological Survey (USGS) cooperative agreement under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. It is a targeted research partnership focused on applied science and technology for coastal Louisiana.
What is the project about?
The project focuses on developing remote sensing algorithms and validating remote sensing data products to evaluate phytoplankton communities in the Barataria estuary. The practical goal is to test and improve how well remote sensing tools can monitor phytoplankton in a complex estuarine environment.
Why is monitoring phytoplankton in the Barataria estuary important?
Phytoplankton are at the base of aquatic food webs, so understanding their distribution and community dynamics supports broader ecosystem monitoring. Improved measurement capability can inform fisheries and habitat assessments and support restoration decision-making in coastal Louisiana.
What are the main deliverables expected from the project?
The announcement describes two connected deliverables: (1) remote sensing algorithm development and (2) validation of remote sensing-derived products for evaluating phytoplankton communities in the Barataria estuary.
What does "remote sensing algorithm development" mean in this context?
Algorithm development refers to building or improving methods that translate sensor measurements (such as spectral reflectance) into biologically meaningful indicators related to phytoplankton. In other words, it is about converting what a sensor "sees" into information that can be used to understand phytoplankton.
What does "validation" mean for remote sensing data products?
Validation means using field observations and other reference datasets to test whether the remote sensing outputs are accurate and reliable for the estuary. The intent is to demonstrate that the remote sensing-derived products are credible for monitoring and management uses.
Why are estuaries challenging for remote sensing of phytoplankton?
Estuaries can be difficult for ocean-color style remote sensing because suspended sediments, colored dissolved organic matter, shallow bottoms, and rapidly changing salinity and turbidity can complicate the signals that are easier to interpret in open water. This project is intended to reduce those uncertainties for Barataria estuary monitoring.
What type of award is being offered?
The award is issued as a cooperative agreement. This typically means USGS expects to be substantially involved during the project, rather than simply providing pass-through grant funding.
What does USGS "substantial involvement" usually imply for a cooperative agreement?
Based on the cooperative agreement structure described, USGS is expected to be actively involved during the project. The announcement does not provide specific management details, but it indicates a partnership-style approach rather than a hands-off grant.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is narrow: applicants must already be participating partners in the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU).
Can organizations outside the Gulf Coast CESU apply?
No. The opportunity is aimed specifically at an affiliated partner within the Gulf Coast CESU, and eligibility is limited to existing Gulf Coast CESU partners.
How many awards does USGS expect to make?
USGS expects to make one award, indicating this is a single, targeted project rather than a multi-award program.
What is the maximum funding amount available?
The funding is capped at an award ceiling of $400,000.
Is this a competitive, broad solicitation or a targeted project?
The details provided indicate it is a single, targeted project intended to fill a specific science need, rather than a broad competition with multiple awards.
What is the opportunity number?
The posted opportunity number is G26AS00120.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.808.
How is this funding categorized?
It is categorized as discretionary funding, with an activity focus in science and technology and other research and development.
When was the announcement created and when does it close?
The announcement was created on May 29, 2026, with an original closing date of June 29, 2026.
Where will the work be focused geographically?
The work is focused on the Barataria estuary in coastal Louisiana.
What broader outcomes is USGS trying to support with this project?
The intended payoff is better, more defensible ecosystem information to support wetland and coastal restoration, water resource coordination, and science-based management in coastal Louisiana.
How does this opportunity align with federal conservation and science priorities?
The Notice of Funding Opportunity is described as aligned with Executive Orders and Secretarial Orders emphasizing conservation, wetlands protection, scientific integrity, restoration, and improved coordination around water resources and resilience. These themes are consistent with developing credible, validated monitoring tools for coastal ecosystems.
Which Executive Orders are referenced in the opportunity description?
The description cites EO 14313 (Make America Beautiful Again Commission, July 3, 2025), EO 14303 (Restoring Gold Standard Science, May 23, 2025), EO 14239 (Efficiency Through State and Local Preparedness, March 19, 2025), EO 11990 (Protection of Wetlands, May 24, 1977), and EO 13956 (Modernizing America’s Water Resource Management and Water Infrastructure, October 13, 2020).
Which Secretarial Orders are referenced in the opportunity description?
The description cites SO 3441 (Implementing EO 14303, August 29, 2025), SO 3442 (Land and Water Conservation Fund Implementation, September 4, 2025), SO 3447 (Expanding Hunting and Fishing Access, January 7, 2026), SO 3347 (Conservation Stewardship and Outdoor Recreation, March 2, 2017), and SO 3356 (Hunting Heritage and Wildlife Conservation, September 15, 2017).
What statutory authorization is mentioned?
The opportunity references the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2701, 2761) as an authorization basis, tied to restoration of natural resources injured by oil spills and relevant to Gulf Coast ecosystems and long-term monitoring needs.
How does the CESU Program relate to this opportunity?
This opportunity sits under the CESU Program, a federal partnership framework designed to connect agencies with eligible universities, research institutions, and other partner organizations to deliver research, technical assistance, and education.
What is the core scientific goal in plain language?
The core goal is to produce remote sensing methods and validated data products that can reliably track phytoplankton communities in a fast-changing, sediment- and organic-matter-influenced estuary, so the information can be used for ecosystem monitoring and restoration decisions.
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