The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Fort Collins Science Center (FORT) offers a funding opportunity through the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) for research on riparian ecosystem restoration in the western United States. This project, open to partners within the Rocky Mountain CESU, focuses on evaluating and enhancing various restoration approaches, including native revegetation, water management downstream of dams, invasive species control, and dam removal. The goal is to improve ecological function, wildlife habitat, and recreational resources in river corridors across arid regions in the western U.S., many of which are on Department of the Interior lands and have been affected by drought, wildfires, and altered hydrology.

The project has specific objectives for the first year, including supporting the binational Science Team’s efforts for riparian restoration in the Colorado River delta under the U.S.-Mexico Minute 323 agreement, coordinating data on vegetation and environmental factors, and contributing to data analysis and publication of results. Future years (Years 2-5) will focus on ongoing work in the Colorado River delta and other restoration projects, such as dam removal impacts on the Elwha River, riparian restoration through streamflow management in Arizona’s Bill Williams River, and projects in areas affected by wildfire, such as New Mexico’s Jemez Mountains.

The funding for FY 2025 is $180,000, with the possibility of additional funding in subsequent years based on performance and availability. Eligible applicants must be members of the Rocky Mountain CESU and should apply via Grants.gov. Direct inquiries should be sent to Faith Graves, the designated CESU Contract Specialist.

Applications must include contact information for the Principal Investigator and technical staff, as well as descriptions of relevant facilities and staff experience. The proposal narrative should introduce the research problem, outline objectives, and detail the methods for both field and lab analyses. Planned products should include peer-reviewed publications, reports, and data sets, along with a strategy for disseminating findings to relevant federal, state, and scientific communities. A detailed budget should account for personnel, fringe benefits, travel, lab analyses, equipment, and indirect costs at the CESU rate of 17.5%. A two-page Data Management Plan (DMP) is also required, outlining data standards, sharing policies, and archiving plans.

Proposals will be evaluated by USGS based on alignment with project objectives, the technical approach, budget justification, and the qualifications of the research team. Awardees are responsible for regular progress reporting, a final technical report, and annual financial reports using the SF-425 form. Publications must acknowledge USGS support, and copies must be sent to the Department of the Interior’s Natural Resources Library. Payments will be managed via the Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP) system.