Identifying and Bridging Data Gaps for Managing Aquatic Invasive and Nuisance Fauna | W81EWF 24 SOI 0037

Opportunity Information: Apply for W81EWF 24 SOI 0037

The grant opportunity titled "Identifying and Bridging Data Gaps for Managing Aquatic Invasive and Nuisance Fauna" is a U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) cooperative agreement aimed at improving how aquatic invasive and nuisance fauna (AINF) are managed in public waters. The project is designed as a multi-year effort, with year one focused on building the project foundation and completing early planning and field-oriented tasks. If the effort continues to be funded, years two through five are intended to broaden and deepen the research, expand partnerships, and grow a portfolio of applied studies that can be used by managers and decision-makers.

The first major focus area (Objective 1) is identifying where the biggest information gaps are that currently limit effective AINF management. This includes two main pieces. The first is a comprehensive literature review centered on freshwater mussel control and management, alongside a scan of ongoing and recent research related to AINF more broadly. The second piece is early-stage, on-the-ground work to identify, verify, and document candidate project locations and specific sampling or evaluation sites where new data should be collected. The intent is to support site-specific evaluations of management approaches by building a strong baseline understanding of each site. Site documentation is expected to include biotic and abiotic characterization such as quantitative vegetation assessments covering both target invasive/nuisance organisms and non-target species, confirmation of whether listed or protected species are present, and basic physical site features like acreage, average water depth, and water exchange processes. Core water quality parameters are also highlighted as essential baseline data, including temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and turbidity. The primary geographic emphasis for these early sites is the Gulf Coast and the Pacific Northwest, suggesting the program wants results that reflect different hydrologic conditions, species assemblages, and management constraints.

The second focus area (Objective 2) moves from identifying gaps to actively closing them through experimentation and applied research, with an emphasis on producing results that can be transferred into practice. A key year-one activity under this objective is organizing interdisciplinary technical teams that can plan and initiate studies. These teams are expected to include scientists who will work jointly with ERDC to develop and evaluate environmentally compatible strategies for selectively managing AINF. The opportunity lays out several categories of management strategies that may be tested or refined: chemical control through pesticides, bio-suppression techniques (approaches that use biological interactions or biological tools to reduce nuisance populations), mechanical or physical methods, and integrated management that combines multiple approaches from the first three categories. The repeated emphasis on selectivity and environmental compatibility signals that the project is not just about efficacy, but also about minimizing collateral impacts to native species, sensitive habitats, and overall water quality.

A notable requirement of the program is that research results should not stay confined to internal reports. Technology transfer and outreach are built into the structure, with education and communication activities expected at the conclusion of each study. The announcement lists multiple formats for delivering information, including technical webinars, workshops, training sessions, field tours, written reports, peer-reviewed journal articles, sponsor briefings, and presentations at professional meetings. The target audiences are broad and include not only scientists and resource managers, but also the general public, government agencies, legislators, industry, media, and other stakeholders. In practical terms, this means applicants should be prepared to translate technical findings into usable guidance and plain-language messaging, while also producing rigorous documentation suitable for professional and scientific audiences.

The main deliverable described is a final report produced by the selected academic institution once Objectives 1 and 2 have been completed. This report must document the project locations studied and provide a clear summary of the management strategies that were identified, evaluated, and potentially recommended. It must also explain how each strategy works, what its limitations are, and what the likely effects could be if the strategy were implemented at the selected sites to restore, manage, or preserve conditions within major watersheds. In other words, the deliverable is meant to function as both a record of what was done and a decision-support product that outlines tradeoffs, constraints, and anticipated outcomes.

Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement mechanism, which typically implies substantial involvement by the federal sponsor during the period of performance (for example, coordination on study design, review, and technology transfer). The opportunity is restricted to non-federal partners of the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU), meaning eligibility is limited to institutions that are recognized CESU partners under that network. The listing indicates one expected award with an award ceiling of $200,000, and an original closing date of September 6, 2024. The CFDA (assistance listing) number is 12.630, and the activity category is science and technology and other research and development.

The notice also includes compliance and eligibility cautions that applicants need to treat as serious. Disclosures of current and pending support submitted with the application can affect eligibility, and ERDC may request updated current/pending support information before award and throughout the project period. Updated disclosures will be reviewed and could lead to discontinuation of funding, so applicants need to maintain accurate, up-to-date reporting across the life of the award. Finally, the opportunity states that religious organizations may compete on equal footing with secular organizations for federal financial assistance, consistent with Executive Order 13798.

• The Engineer Research and Development Center in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Identifying and Bridging Data Gaps for Managing Aquatic Invasive and Nuisance Fauna" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.630.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-07-19.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-09-06. (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 $200,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for W81EWF 24 SOI 0037

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