Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

The USGS is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research focused on improving the efficiency and standardization of Real-Time Quaking Induced Conversion (RT-QuIC) assay data analysis for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance, research, and management. CWD continues to expand geographically and intensify in prevalence, placing growing strain on wildlife management agencies. RT-QuIC is among the most promising tools for the detection of low-level CWD prions, but current analytical approaches lack standardization and rely heavily on subjective interpretation. This opportunity supports development of a robust, automated, and reproducible analytical pipeline that improves efficiency, repeatability, and inter-laboratory consistency.

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 Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit.