Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)
This grant funds collaborative research to develop and test RNAi-based treatments targeting invasive Phragmites australis and Hydrocharis morsus-ranae, while assessing potential effects on related plant species.
Funder: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Due Dates: October 30, 2025 (Full Proposal)
Funding Amounts: Up to $484,138 total over 5 years; typical award is a single project funded at this level.
Summary: Supports research developing and testing RNAi-based genomic approaches for the targeted control of invasive plants in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, specifically Phragmites australis and Hydrocharis morsus-ranae.
Key Information: Applicants must be partners of the Gulf Coast CESU; not open to the general public.
Description
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Great Lakes Science Center is seeking proposals for collaborative research on genomic approaches to control invasive plant species, with a focus on RNA interference (RNAi)-based treatments. The target species are Phragmites australis (common reed) and Hydrocharis morsus-ranae (European frog-bit), both of which are significant invasive threats in terrestrial and aquatic environments.
The project aims to leverage existing genomic and transcriptomic data to develop and test species-specific RNAi constructs, assess their effectiveness, and evaluate potential non-target impacts. This work is intended to provide resource managers with new, precise, and transient tools for controlling invasive plants, potentially transforming management strategies in affected ecosystems.
