Opportunity Information: Apply for E12AC10145
Apply for E12AC10145
- The National Park Service in the environment science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Notice of Intent to Award Methylmercury Exposure of Songbirds" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.945 Cooperative Research and Training Programs Resources of the National Park System.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 24, 2012 and posted on Feb 24, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 5, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $20,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $20,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Eligible applicants Members of The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Network.
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Opportunity Summary:
This Notice of Intent to Award is a public notification from the National Park Service (NPS) that it plans to fund a specific partner, the Great Lakes Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU), for a project titled "Methylmercury exposure of songbirds in mercury sensitive landscapes of Voyageurs National Park" (VOYA). It is not an open call for proposals and is not requesting applications from the general public. Instead, it signals the agency's intention to issue a cooperative agreement to a CESU Network member to carry out the work.
The project focuses on understanding methylmercury exposure in breeding songbirds within mercury-sensitive and mercury-methylating environments at Voyageurs National Park. The core goal is to provide practical information to park managers and useful scientific data to the research community by measuring methylmercury levels in the eggs of two passerine (songbird) species. Because methylmercury can bioaccumulate and has known toxicological risks to wildlife, the study also aims to evaluate the likely biological significance of in ovo (in-egg) exposure, meaning potential impacts to developing embryos and, by extension, breeding success and population health.
The work is designed as a three-year study. During that period, researchers will sample and analyze mercury levels in breeding songbirds that use wetlands and aquatic habitats, specifically selecting two species considered reliable biosentinels. Biosentinel species are useful because their contaminant levels can reflect local environmental conditions and food web exposure, especially in habitats where mercury is readily converted into methylmercury and then moves up the food chain. By focusing on birds foraging in wetland and aquatic systems, the study targets areas where methylation and bioaccumulation are more likely to be pronounced.
A key deliverable is the first targeted assessment of mercury in nesting songbirds that forage in these mercury-sensitive landscapes within Voyageurs National Park. Beyond the scientific sampling and analysis, the project includes an outreach component: communicating results to park visitors and the broader public, with an emphasis on what methylmercury exposure in these two songbird species may mean from a toxicological standpoint.
From an administrative and funding standpoint, the opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number E12AC10145 and is categorized as a discretionary award using a cooperative agreement mechanism, under an environment, science and technology, and research and development activity category. The announcement indicates one expected award with a total estimated funding amount of $20,000, with the award floor and ceiling both set at $20,000, and no cost sharing or matching requirement. Eligibility is limited to members of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Network, reinforcing that this is a targeted award pathway rather than a competitive, broadly open grant competition.
The notice was posted on February 24, 2012, with an original and current closing date of March 5, 2012, and an archive date of April 4, 2012. For access issues related to the full announcement, the listed contact is Penny Russell, Lead Grants and Agreements Officer at the National Park Service Midwest Regional Office (phone: 402-661-1662). The general listing references Grants.gov for additional details.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is this an open grant competition?
No. This is a Notice of Intent to Award from the National Park Service (NPS). It is not an open call for proposals and it is not requesting applications from the general public.
What does a "Notice of Intent to Award" mean in this case?
It means NPS is publicly notifying that it plans to fund a specific partner for a specific project. The notice signals the agency's intent to issue a cooperative agreement rather than solicit competing applications.
Who is the intended recipient/partner for this award?
The intended partner is the Great Lakes Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU).
What is the project title?
The project is titled "Methylmercury exposure of songbirds in mercury sensitive landscapes of Voyageurs National Park" (VOYA).
What park or location is the research focused on?
The work focuses on Voyageurs National Park (VOYA).
What is the main purpose of the project?
The purpose is to understand methylmercury exposure in breeding songbirds within mercury-sensitive and mercury-methylating environments at Voyageurs National Park, and to provide practical information for park managers and useful scientific data for the research community.
What specific contaminant is being studied?
Methylmercury. The notice also references mercury levels and how mercury is converted into methylmercury and bioaccumulates through food webs.
Why is methylmercury an issue for wildlife?
The notice states methylmercury can bioaccumulate and has known toxicological risks to wildlife, which is why measuring exposure and evaluating potential biological significance is part of the study.
Which animals are being studied?
Breeding songbirds (passerines). The project will measure methylmercury levels in the eggs of two passerine species.
How many bird species will be sampled?
Two songbird (passerine) species will be selected and used as biosentinels.
What will be measured in the birds?
Methylmercury levels in eggs ("in ovo" exposure). The study will sample and analyze mercury levels associated with breeding songbirds, with a core measurement focused on eggs of the two target species.
What does "in ovo exposure" mean?
It refers to exposure in the egg, meaning potential impacts to developing embryos, and by extension possible effects on breeding success and population health.
Why use biosentinel species?
The notice explains that biosentinel species are useful because their contaminant levels can reflect local environmental conditions and food web exposure, especially in habitats where mercury is readily converted into methylmercury and moves up the food chain.
What habitats are emphasized in the study design?
Wetlands and aquatic habitats. The study targets birds foraging in these systems because methylation and bioaccumulation are more likely to be pronounced there.
How long is the study planned to run?
Three years.
What are the expected deliverables or outcomes?
A key deliverable is the first targeted assessment of mercury in nesting songbirds that forage in mercury-sensitive landscapes within Voyageurs National Park. The project also aims to provide practical information to park managers and scientific data to the research community.
Is there a public communication or outreach component?
Yes. The project includes communicating results to park visitors and the broader public, with emphasis on what methylmercury exposure in the two songbird species may mean from a toxicological standpoint.
What is the funding opportunity number?
E12AC10145.
What type of funding mechanism will be used?
A cooperative agreement (a discretionary award mechanism).
What is the activity/category associated with the opportunity?
The listing categorizes it under environment, science and technology, and research and development.
How many awards are expected?
One expected award.
What is the total estimated funding amount?
$20,000.
What are the award floor and ceiling?
The award floor is $20,000 and the award ceiling is also $20,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The notice indicates there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
Who is eligible to receive this award?
Eligibility is limited to members of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Network, reflecting that this is a targeted award pathway rather than a broadly competitive opportunity.
Can members of the general public apply?
No. The notice explicitly indicates it is not requesting applications from the general public.
What are the posted and closing dates listed?
The notice was posted on February 24, 2012. The original and current closing date is March 5, 2012.
When was the opportunity archived?
April 4, 2012.
Where can additional details be found?
The general listing references Grants.gov for additional details.
Who should be contacted for access issues related to the full announcement?
Penny Russell, Lead Grants and Agreements Officer at the National Park Service Midwest Regional Office. Phone: 402-661-1662.
Which agency is issuing the notice?
The National Park Service (NPS).
What is the main management value of the study?
The notice states the goal is to provide practical information to park managers by assessing methylmercury exposure in songbirds in mercury-sensitive landscapes at Voyageurs National Park.
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