The U.S. Geological Survey Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units program was established in 1935 and codified by Congress in 1960 to enhance graduate education in wildlife and fisheries sciences and to facilitate research and technical assistance among natural resource agencies and universities on fisheries and wildlife management topics of mutual concern.
The U.S. Geological Survey Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units (USGS CRU) program was established in 1935 and codified by Congress in 1960 to enhance graduate education in wildlife and fisheries sciences and to facilitate research and technical assistance among natural resource agencies and universities on fisheries and wildlife management topics of mutual concern. The success of the CRU program lies in its cooperative approach. State and Federal fish and wildlife agencies determine where focused, science-based studies for wildlife and natural resource management for societal benefit are needed. The CRU scientists conduct applied research to contribute results to inform and aid partners in determining best practices for managing resources. Each Unit is a unique partnership among the U.S. Geological Survey, a host university, one or more State agencies, the Wildlife Management Institute, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
In fiscal year 2024 (FY 2024), there were 43 CRUs located in 41 States at 44 host universities. The national CRU program office is embedded within the Ecosystems mission area at the USGS headquarters in Reston, Virginia. The 43 units are subdivided into three regions, each with its own supervisor.
The CRU program maximizes taxpayer investment, turning every appropriated Federal dollar into three dollars by CRU scientists, who leverage additional funding and support for the CRU program. The CRU program budget in FY 2024 was \$28 million in appropriated Federal funding that primarily supported the salaries of Unit scientists. Unit scientists were then able to secure approximately \$48 million in research funds from cooperators and stakeholders. Leveraged funding is administered through the host university’s budgetary processes to support each Unit’s research program, to provide training to students, and to provide assistance to cooperators and stakeholders. On average, the leveraged funding streams from CRU scientists generate support for as many as 31 non-Federal positions at each host university per year, including graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and research technicians. Leveraged funding at host universities supports over 1,100 jobs, providing real economic benefits to local communities. Cooperating universities also provided an additional \$22 million of in-kind support through facilities, student tuition, and reduced overhead.