Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Great Lakes Northern Forests Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G21AS00546

Opportunity Information: Apply for G21AS00546

The US Geological Survey (USGS) is offering a discretionary cooperative agreement (Funding Opportunity Number G21AS00546; CFDA 15.808) through the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program, specifically within the Great Lakes-Northern Forests CESU network. The project focuses on advancing tools and methods that support chronic wasting disease (CWD) management and research by addressing key gaps in how RT-QuIC (real-time quaking-induced conversion) is applied. RT-QuIC is a laboratory assay used to detect prions, the misfolded proteins responsible for CWD, and the intent of this award is to improve reliability, interpretability, and practical use of RT-QuIC results for both surveillance and management-related decisions.

The core research goals are organized around five major deliverables. First, the award will support building a bank of well-characterized reference samples that can be used by USGS and the broader research community. These reference materials are meant to help ensure assays are working correctly, results are comparable across studies, and laboratories have standardized resources for calibration and quality assurance. Second, the project will identify the most suitable tissues for ante-mortem sampling, meaning samples that can be taken from live animals. This is an important management need because earlier and less invasive detection could improve surveillance, reduce reliance on post-mortem testing, and support more responsive disease control strategies.

Third, the work will address the biological relevance of RT-QuIC results. In practice, this means clarifying what a positive or particular signal pattern in the assay implies about infection status, disease progression, and real-world transmission risk. Strengthening the link between assay readouts and meaningful biological interpretation can make RT-QuIC more actionable for wildlife agencies and researchers. Fourth, the project will optimize prion extraction methods and refine the assay specifically for detecting prions in incinerator products generated during carcass disposal. Carcass disposal is a critical part of CWD response, and this component targets the challenging task of detecting prions in complex residues such as ash or other byproducts, where inhibitors and low concentrations can complicate testing.

Fifth, the project will evaluate how effective incineration is at inactivating prions. Because prions are unusually resistant to many conventional disinfection and degradation methods, confirming whether disposal practices truly neutralize infectivity is central to limiting environmental contamination and reducing the chance of ongoing exposure. This part of the research ties directly to applied management questions, including whether incineration conditions are sufficient and how to verify safety of resulting materials.

Eligibility is limited to entities that are partners in the Great Lakes-Northern Forest CESU. In addition, applicants must include a recognized soil science or chemistry department with documented expertise in CWD and prion research. The opportunity also emphasizes specialized, demonstrated capability: experience using RT-QuIC to detect prions from environmental samples is required, along with experience assessing inactivation approaches for prions that adhere to contaminated surfaces. These requirements reflect the technical difficulty of working with prions in environmental matrices and on surfaces, and the program is clearly aiming to fund a team already equipped to deliver credible, defensible results.

The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, which typically means USGS expects substantial involvement in the project beyond standard grant oversight, such as collaboration on study design, coordination with federal priorities, data sharing, and alignment with ongoing USGS CWD research needs. The maximum funding amount listed is $430,000, and the original closing date for applications was July 2, 2021, with the opportunity first posted in early June 2021. Overall, the opportunity is geared toward strengthening the scientific foundation and practical deployment of RT-QuIC for CWD, while also tackling real-world disposal and decontamination questions that affect disease persistence and environmental risk.

• The Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Great Lakes Northern Forests Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit" 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 2021-06-02.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-07-02. (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 $430,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for G21AS00546

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: