Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit
The Geological Survey seeks a Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit partner to develop automated, standardized assay data analysis for chronic wasting disease surveillance, research, and management.
Funder: Geological Survey
Due Dates: December 7, 2026 (Applications, 11:59 p.m. ET)
Funding Amounts: $145,220 estimated total for one five-year cooperative agreement; $72,610 estimated for Year 1
Summary: Supports automated, standardized analysis of RT-QuIC assay data for Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance, research, and management.
Key Information: Applicants must be participating partners of the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit.
Description
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) supports research to improve the efficiency and standardization of Real-Time Quaking Induced Conversion (RT-QuIC) assay data analysis for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). As CWD expands geographically and increases in prevalence, wildlife management agencies face growing surveillance demands. RT-QuIC can detect low-level CWD prions, but current analytical approaches lack standardization and rely heavily on subjective interpretation.
The project will develop machine-learning models, standardized preprocessing methods, and expanded, labeled datasets from collaborating laboratories. It will deliver an open-source application for assay-data ingestion, processing, visualization, and reproducible classification. Cross-laboratory validation and communication with natural resource management agencies are central goals. The cooperative agreement involves a close research partnership with USGS, including substantial federal involvement and USGS co-authorship on resulting publications.
