Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forests CESU | G17AS00089

Opportunity Information: Apply for G17AS00089

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), through the Great Lakes Science Center, is offering a cooperative agreement under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Network, specifically the Great Lakes Northern Forests CESU. This opportunity supports applied research focused on plant-microbe relationships in Phragmites australis (common reed), with the Great Lakes basin as the main geographic emphasis. The practical aim is to strengthen the scientific basis for microbe-based management tools that could help address invasive Phragmites by identifying microbial relationships that either contribute to invasiveness or could be leveraged for control.

The funded work is centered on collecting or using Phragmites (and potentially closely related species) that are already being grown or sampled in coordination with ongoing USGS projects. From those plant materials, the selected CESU partner would isolate, identify, and experimentally evaluate associated microbes, including fungi and bacteria. A key theme is endophytes, meaning microorganisms that live within plant tissues and can influence plant performance in ways that range from beneficial to harmful. By clarifying how fungal and bacterial endophytes affect Phragmites invasiveness, the project is intended to generate actionable targets for microbial control strategies (for example, identifying microbes that could suppress growth or reduce competitive advantages) or, where relevant, microbial enhancement concepts (such as manipulating microbial communities to shift competitive outcomes).

USGS highlights three broad, connected research areas that should build on prior and ongoing work. First is comparing important characteristics of native versus invasive Phragmites genotypes. This line of work typically involves examining differences between the native North American lineage and invasive lineages, with attention to traits and microbial associations that might help explain why invasive genotypes spread aggressively or tolerate stressors more effectively. Second is developing in vitro methods for studying Phragmites-microbial interactions. In practice, this means creating lab-based or controlled experimental systems to test how specific microbial isolates influence Phragmites growth, physiology, stress tolerance, or other functional traits, and to do so in a way that is repeatable and useful for screening potential biological control candidates. Third is investigating the role of Phragmites litter (dead stems and leaves) as both a source of endophyte inoculum and a driver of soil microbial community composition and dynamics. This component recognizes that litter can carry microbes from one growing season to the next and can alter soil conditions and microbial communities in ways that may feed back to favor Phragmites persistence and expansion.

Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity issued by the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, with the funding instrument listed as a cooperative agreement, reflecting an expectation of collaboration between USGS and the award recipient. The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development, and the program is associated with CFDA number 15.808. Eligibility is limited to CESU partners (the listing notes “Others,” with clarification in the full eligibility text), meaning applicants generally must be part of the relevant CESU consortium to apply. The opportunity number is G17AS00089. The solicitation was created June 21, 2017, with an original closing date of July 7, 2017. USGS anticipated making one award, with an award ceiling of $81,000.

Overall, the opportunity is aimed at producing research outputs that move beyond basic description of Phragmites-associated microbes and toward experimentally supported understanding of which microbes and mechanisms matter for invasiveness in the Great Lakes region. The expected value is both scientific (improved understanding of genotype, endophyte, and soil community interactions) and practical (identifying microbial targets or pathways that could underpin future, environmentally informed management approaches for invasive Phragmites).

• The Department of the Interior, Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forests CESU" 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 Jun 21, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 07, 2017. (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 $81,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for G17AS00089

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