USGS Funding for Polar Bear Abundance Research
Summary
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is offering a funding opportunity through the Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit for research on polar bear abundance in the Southern and Northern Beaufort Sea subpopulations. The project aims to use an integrated population model to estimate abundance and assess harvest risks, incorporating both western science and Indigenous Knowledge.
What changed
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), through its Alaska Science Center, has announced a funding opportunity for a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) partner to conduct research on polar bear abundance in the Southern and Northern Beaufort Sea subpopulations. This initiative seeks to develop new abundance estimates for both subpopulations and to perform a harvest risk assessment for the Southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation, which has shown a declining trend and faces potential risks from anthropogenic activities. The project will utilize over 20 years of USGS data and integrate Indigenous Knowledge with western science through a population model.
Eligible applicants must be participating partners of the Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit. The selected partner will be responsible for applying an integrated population model to estimate polar bear vital rates, trends, and harvest sustainability. This research is critical for informing management decisions by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and co-management entities to ensure the long-term sustainability of polar bear populations and subsistence harvests.
What to do next
- Verify eligibility as a Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit partner.
- Prepare and submit a research proposal addressing polar bear abundance estimation and harvest risk assessment.
- Consult grant documentation for specific proposal requirements and submission deadlines.
Source document (simplified)
Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit
Agency: Geological Survey
Assistance Listings: 15.808 -- U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection
Last Updated: March 25, 2026 View version history on Grants.gov
Description
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Alaska Science Center (ASC), is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research to support the estimation of polar bear abundance for the Southern Beaufort Sea and Northern Beaufort Sea subpopulations and a harvest risk assessment for the Southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation. The southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation has experienced a declining trend in abundance and the abundance estimate for the Northern Beaufort Sea subpopulation is outdated. Consequently, there is a need for new abundance estimates for both subpopulations. Additionally, the Southern... Beaufort Sea subpopulation is exposed to a variety of anthropogenic activities that may present mortality risks for bears and thereby have the potential to affect the sustainability of the subsistence harvest. The goals of this project are to apply a recently developed integrated population model to estimate the abundance of the two subpopulations and to characterize the risk of under- or over-harvesting the Southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation. To facilitate those goals, the ASC will make available 20+ years of data on polar bear population dynamics to be used in the analysis.In support of this project, ASC seeks a CESU partnership that will focus on using an integrated population model (IPM) that blends western science with Indigenous Knowledge to estimate abundances and characterize harvest risk. Additionally, the ASC seeks a partner that has experience conducting research on polar bear population dynamics. The proposed work will help the USGS research team improve assessments of polar bear population vital rates and trends and help the USFWS and co-management entities ensure polar bear harvest is sustainable. Show full description
Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Miscellaneous
- Other
Additional information
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 Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit.
Grantor contact information
Description
RACHEL MILLER
rachelmiller@usgs.gov
Documents
Download all
| File name | Description | Last updated |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ATTACHMENTA-Biographical-sketch-common-form-doi-omb-3145-02793.pdf | ATTACHMENT A - Biographical-sketch-common-form-doi-omb-3145-0279 3.pdf | Mar 25, 2026 02:27 PM UTC |
| ATTACHMENTB-Common-formcurrent-and-pending-support-doi-omb-3145-0279_3.pdf | ATTACHMENT B - Common-form current-and-pending-support-doi-omb-3145-0279 3.pdf | Mar 25, 2026 02:27 PM UTC |
| ATTACHMENTC-ProjectAbstractSummaryRequirement.docx | ATTACHMENT C - Project Abstract Summary Requirement.docx | Mar 25, 2026 02:27 PM UTC |
| ATTACHMENTD-GeospatialData_Instructions.docx | ATTACHMENT D - Geospatial Data Instructions.docx | Mar 25, 2026 02:27 PM UTC |
| ProgramAnnouncementG26AS00099.docx | Program Announcement G26AS00099.docx | Mar 25, 2026 02:28 PM UTC |
Link to additional information
--
Closing: April 25, 2026
Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM, ET, on the listed application due date
Application process
This site is a work in progress. Go to www.grants.gov to apply, track application status, and subscribe to updates. View on Grants.gov
Award
$180,000
Program Funding
1
Expected awards
$1
Award Minimum
$180,000
Award Maximum
Funding opportunity number:
G26AS00099
Cost sharing or matching requirement:
No Funding instrument type:
Cooperative agreement
Opportunity Category:
Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation:
-- Category of Funding Activity:
Science technology and other research and development
Category Explanation:
--
History
Version:
1
Posted date:
March 25, 2026
Archive date:
--
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