USGS Great Lakes-Northern Forest CESU: Invasive Grass Carp Spawning and Early Life History Research

The USGS is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research in invasive Grass Carp spawning and early life history in Great Lakes tributaries.Grass Carp are an invasive species in North America, which threaten native species through the destruction of habitats provided by aquatic vegetation, which are important for production of waterfowl and sportfish. Grass Carp spawn in riverine habitats during specific environmental conditions (i.e., high streamflow events). Consequently, Grass Carp spawning can be surveyed using nets and the collected eggs and larvae have provided crucial information to identify where adult Grass Carp can be targeted for removal efforts. Further, control efforts implemented during spawning may disrupt spawning behavior. Understanding when and where Grass Carp reproduction occurs has been identified by management partners as an important component of responding to the threat of Grass Carp in the Great Lakes. A Presidential Memorandum titled Protecting the Great Lakes from Invasive Carp was issued May 9, 2025, which directed "research and management concerning the prevention, removal, and management of aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes, including invasive carp."

This financial assistance opportunity is being issued under a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program. CESU"s are partnerships that provide research, technical assistance, and education. Eligible recipients must be a participating partner of the Great Lakes-Northern.

Agency: Geological Survey; opportunity number: G26AS00121.

Funding category: ST.

Applicants should review the full notice package for objectives, required forms, review criteria, and federal compliance rules.

Award ceiling: USD 450,000; Award floor: USD 1; Total funding: USD 450,000

2026-06-29; posted 2026-05-29: 2026-06-29; posted 2026-05-29: Jun 29, 2026.

Confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, and submission route on the official call page.

Plan internal approvals, partner confirmations, budgets, letters, and portal submission before the final deadline.

Apply through the official Grants.gov listing for opportunity G26AS00121. Deadline/key date: 2026-06-29.

Before submitting, check required documents, eligible costs, attachments, page limits, institutional approvals, and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration, or nomination stage.