Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Piedmont-South Atlantic Coast CESU Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

The US Geological Survey is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research in the development of software that contribute to enhancements in invasive species early detection and rapid response (EDRR). The Department of the Interior (DOI) has identified invasive species management as a crosscutting priority and is actively coordinating across 11 bureaus and offices to deliver invasive species programs. The DOI’s 5 year Invasive Species Strategic Plan identifies three invasive species initiatives to advance in three years, including advancing a National EDRR Framework. The National EDRR Information System is web tool being developed to unite invasive species efforts that support a National EDRR Framework. The aim of the National EDRR Information System is to improve access to existing and emerging invasive species information resources and facilitate EDRR collaboration across the US states and territories. This funding opportunity is to identify gaps in current EDRR capabilities and implement programming and software development that supports successful integration of data and information products into the National EDRR Information System. The goal of this opportunity is to understand gaps in invasive species information delivery and produce cost-effective solutions for sharing and aggregating data across platforms. This work will be performed in collaboration with USGS biologists and computer scientists.