Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit
This grant funds collaborative research between USGS and university partners to study bison ecology and resource impacts in the Western USA using fieldwork and data modeling in three National Parks.
Funder: Geological Survey
Due Dates: July 5, 2026: Full application submission deadline
Funding Amounts: Total funding: $48,941 | Single award, 5-month project period
Summary: Supports collaborative research on bison ecology and resource impacts across the western USA, targeting CESU partners in the Rocky Mountain region.
Key Information: Applicant must be a participating partner of the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU).
Description
This opportunity, offered by the US Geological Survey (USGS), provides a cooperative agreement for research on the ecology of free-ranging bison in the western USA, with an emphasis on data-driven modeling, field-based data collection, and analysis of accelerometer data from GPS collars. The goal is to fill key knowledge gaps regarding bison foraging behavior, spatial ecology, and potential resource impacts, particularly in three National Park units including the Great Sand Dunes ecosystem. The research is intended to inform public land managers and improve management of bison and their habitats, in alignment with Executive Order 14303 – Restoring Gold Standard Science. The project will be carried out through close collaboration between USGS and university scientists, leveraging the expertise of CESU partners in handling large ecological datasets.
