Cooperative Research Units Program FY 2019 | G19AS00004

Opportunity Information: Apply for G19AS00004

The Cooperative Research Units Program FY 2019 grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number G19AS00004) is a discretionary funding announcement from the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). It supports the long-running Cooperative Research Units (CRU) model, which is designed to connect state agencies, universities, and federal partners to carry out applied research and training focused on fish and wildlife conservation and management. The program is categorized under environment, natural resources, and science and technology research and development, and it uses the cooperative agreement funding instrument, which typically indicates substantial federal involvement in project implementation compared to a standard grant.

At the center of this opportunity is a nationwide network of 40 Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units located on university campuses across 38 states. These units trace back to the original nine established in the 1930s, with additional units later created by Congress at specific universities. The intent is to maintain and advance a collaborative infrastructure where research priorities are shaped by real management needs, and where universities contribute academic capacity, facilities, and training environments. The work supported through the units generally aims to produce actionable science for natural resource decision-making while also building the next generation of professionals through graduate education and hands-on research experience tied closely to agency and field needs.

The program is explicitly described as a partnership among multiple co-sponsors rather than a single-agency initiative. Each unit is jointly supported by the USGS, host universities, state natural resource agencies, the Wildlife Management Institute (a non-profit partner), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. That structure matters because it reflects how projects and priorities are typically coordinated: the units function as shared platforms where federal science capacity is embedded within universities and directly connected to state and federal management partners. In practice, this arrangement is meant to leverage resources, avoid duplication, and ensure research products are directly relevant to fisheries and wildlife management challenges.

From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity lists CFDA number 15.812 and an award ceiling of $1,000,000. The posting also indicates “Expected Awards: 0,” which can occur in announcements that function as umbrella or continuation mechanisms tied to existing unit operations, or where awards are contingent on appropriations, final work plans, or other internal determinations. Eligibility is listed as “Others,” with the note that applicants should consult the additional eligibility information in the full announcement for clarification, which often implies a limited or specialized applicant pool (for example, host institutions or other entities directly tied to the unit network) rather than broad open competition.

The timeline information in the source data shows a creation date of September 20, 2018, and references original closing dates of June 19, 2018 for changes involving new or revised scope or cost, and August 8, 2018 for other changes not affecting scope or total estimated cost. Those dates suggest the announcement may have been updated or republished in a way that tracks amendments, rather than representing a single straightforward application deadline. Anyone relying on it for submission planning would typically need to verify the operative deadline and amendment history in the full notice.

Overall, this funding opportunity is best understood as support for a mature, congressionally established cooperative program that embeds fish and wildlife research capacity within universities while directly serving state and federal natural resource management needs. Its defining feature is the formal, multi-party partnership model that combines federal science leadership (USGS), academic infrastructure and training (host universities), on-the-ground management priorities (state agencies and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), and coordination support from a non-profit partner (Wildlife Management Institute).

• The Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey in the environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Research Units Program FY 2019" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.812.
• This funding opportunity was created on Sep 20, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by June 19, 2018 (new or changes in scope of work or total estimated cost) August 8, 2018 (other changes not involving change to scope of work or total estimated cost). (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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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