Opportunity Information: Apply for FWSPIES5
Apply for FWSPIES5
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "SENSITIVITY OF ADULT AND EARLY LIFE STAGE TROPICAL CORALS TO METAL TOXICITY" and is now available to receive applicants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 13, 2009 and posted on Jan 13, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 27, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $97,029.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $34,329.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The grant opportunity titled "Sensitivity of Adult and Early Life Stage Tropical Corals to Metal Toxicity: Influence of Temporal Variation on Risk Assessment and Toxicological Evaluation" is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) cooperative agreement focused on improving how metal pollution risks are evaluated for tropical coral reef ecosystems, using Hawaii as the primary setting. The central issue driving the work is that coastal development and dense human populations can elevate sediment and contaminant inputs to nearby reefs, and multiple studies have documented high metal concentrations in tropical seawater, sediments, coral skeletons, and marine tissues. What is still missing is a clear, biologically grounded understanding of how those metal levels actually affect corals themselves. A major concern highlighted in the announcement is that most existing metal toxicity knowledge and the water quality guidelines used to protect marine life are based largely on temperate species and temperate conditions, which may not reflect the sensitivity of tropical corals, especially across different seasons and life stages.
The project is built around the idea that coral vulnerability is not constant throughout the year. Adult corals shift physiologically with seasons, including changes in zooxanthellae density and energy allocation. For example, during spawning periods, energy reserves may be diverted toward reproduction, potentially reducing the coral's ability to tolerate stress. The study therefore tests the hypothesis that seasonal physiological variation changes coral sensitivity to toxic metals over time. By explicitly incorporating both seasonal timing and early-life-stage biology into toxicity testing, the project aims to generate data that are more ecologically realistic and more useful for risk assessment and environmental criteria in tropical regions like Hawaii, where land-based sources of metals are a long-standing management concern.
The specific contaminants targeted are copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb). The work focuses on one key Hawaiian reef-building coral species, either Montipora capitata or Pocillopora damicornis, with the possibility that the second species could be addressed in a follow-on effort depending on results and future funding. The main objectives are to measure lethal toxicity in adults across four seasons (winter, spring, summer, and autumn), to measure both lethal and sublethal effects in early life stages during the peak spawning period (roughly May through August), to quantify how sensitivity changes through time, and to directly compare adult versus early-life-stage sensitivity to identify the most vulnerable life stage for each metal. A practical end goal is to provide seasonally informed guidance on concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Pb that would better support coral reef sustainability and growth in tropical waters, and to assess whether current criteria (such as USEPA water quality criteria) appear sufficiently protective for corals.
Methodologically, adult coral toxicity work is structured as 96-hour chronic exposure experiments conducted four times during the year, with adult colonies collected in December, March, June, and September. Coral fragments (nubbins) are exposed to a control plus five increasing concentrations of each metal (tested separately) in plastic aquaria, using replicated tanks per treatment. Exposure concentrations are tracked through repeated seawater sampling at multiple time points (24, 48, and 96 hours) and quantified using high-resolution sector field ICP-MS, allowing the researchers to calculate integrated exposure concentrations rather than assuming nominal dosing. Coral condition is monitored daily for survival and visible stress responses, and LC50 values are calculated for each metal and season. The project also includes tissue and skeleton analyses for metal accumulation, along with biological condition metrics such as chlorophyll, zooxanthellae density, and protein, which help connect exposure to physiological stress and potential mechanisms.
For early life stages, the grant outlines two complementary approaches tied to each species' reproductive strategy. For Montipora capitata (a broadcast spawning hermaphrodite that releases gamete bundles around the new moon in summer), the project evaluates fertilization success under metal exposure. Gametes from different colonies are combined and exposed in small glass vials across the same basic treatment structure (control plus increasing metal concentrations) with replication. Development is halted after a short period (about three hours) using a fixative so fertilization outcomes can be scored under a microscope, and EC50 values for fertilization impairment are developed for Cu, Zn, and Pb across the spawning season. Selected egg samples are also analyzed for metal content and basic physiological indicators (chlorophyll, zooxanthellae, protein) to link exposure and biological condition. For Pocillopora damicornis (a brooding coral that releases fully developed larvae, often with a summer peak), the early-life-stage testing focuses on larval survival (LC50) and settlement success (EC50). Larvae are exposed in glass Petri dishes with repeated seawater changes, survival and settlement are tracked frequently over roughly two weeks, and exposure concentrations are again verified via ICP-MS. Replication over time is planned but depends on larval availability.
The analysis plan relies on standard toxicological statistics, including one-way and two-way ANOVA to test for treatment effects and to separate the influence of metal concentration from timing/season (and their interaction). Post-hoc comparisons use Tukey tests, and NOEC values are determined by identifying the highest concentration that does not differ significantly from controls for each response endpoint (survival, fertilization, settlement). Together, LC50, EC50, and NOEC outputs are intended to produce a more complete picture of both outright lethality and more subtle but ecologically meaningful impairments that can reduce recruitment and long-term reef resilience.
The study area is Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, near Coconut Island, an area where reef research infrastructure and relevant local pollution concerns make the work directly applicable. The project period is January 2009 through December 2009, with the possibility of a one-year extension. Planned deliverables include a mid-year report (June 2009), an annual report (October 2009) summarizing progress and seasonal adult results plus summer spawning data, and a final report (December 2009) documenting all toxicity protocols, results, and statistical analyses for adult and early life stage testing. The opportunity also anticipates broader scientific dissemination through one or two peer-reviewed journal articles and presentations at a scientific meeting, with copies provided to FWS.
From a management and policy perspective, the opportunity is framed as supporting federal coral conservation priorities, including Executive Order 13089 on Coral Reef Protection and the U.S. Ocean Action Plan, with FWS aiming to strengthen pollution reduction strategies in waters that support coral reefs, including refuges and non-refuge coral areas. A key applied outcome is determining whether existing water and sediment quality criteria are truly protective for tropical corals, and generating evidence that could support updates where criteria appear inadequate.
Administratively, the opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number FWSPIES5) is a discretionary environmental program using a cooperative agreement mechanism, with an expectation of one award and a cost-sharing/matching requirement. Eligible applicants are public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. The total project budget is estimated at $97,029, with a Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office contribution not to exceed $34,329, and technical support involvement from partners such as FWS and USGS. The original posting date was January 13, 2009, with a closing date of January 27, 2009. The project officer listed is Jeff Phillips (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, Honolulu), and a grants assistant contact (Ken Sato) is included for access issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Sensitivity of Adult and Early Life Stage Tropical Corals to Metal Toxicity: Influence of Temporal Variation on Risk Assessment and Toxicological Evaluation."
2) Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) as a cooperative agreement.
3) What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FWSPIES5.
4) What type of funding mechanism is used?
The announcement specifies a cooperative agreement mechanism, which typically involves technical involvement from the federal partner during the project.
5) What is the main purpose of the project?
The project is designed to improve how risks from metal pollution are evaluated for tropical coral reef ecosystems, using Hawaii as the primary setting. A core goal is generating biologically grounded toxicity data for tropical corals that can better inform risk assessment and environmental criteria.
6) Why is this work considered necessary?
The announcement emphasizes that coastal development and dense human populations can increase sediment and contaminant inputs to reefs, and multiple studies have found high metal concentrations in tropical seawater, sediments, coral skeletons, and marine tissues. However, a clear understanding of how those metal levels affect corals is still missing, and many existing toxicity guidelines are based on temperate species and conditions rather than tropical corals.
7) Which contaminants are being studied?
The targeted metals are copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb).
8) Which coral species are included in the work?
The work focuses on one key Hawaiian reef-building coral species, either Montipora capitata or Pocillopora damicornis. The announcement notes that the second species may be addressed in a follow-on effort depending on results and future funding.
9) What scientific question or hypothesis is the project built around?
The central hypothesis is that coral sensitivity to toxic metals changes over time because adult corals undergo seasonal physiological shifts (for example, changes in zooxanthellae density and energy allocation). The announcement highlights spawning periods as a time when energy may be diverted toward reproduction, potentially reducing stress tolerance.
10) How does the project incorporate seasonality?
Adult coral toxicity is measured across four seasons (winter, spring, summer, and autumn), with adult colonies collected in December, March, June, and September. Results are used to quantify how sensitivity changes through time and whether timing/season interacts with metal concentration.
11) What adult coral toxicity tests are planned?
Adult testing consists of 96-hour chronic exposure experiments conducted four times during the year. Coral fragments (nubbins) are exposed in plastic aquaria to a control plus five increasing concentrations of each metal (tested separately), using replicated tanks per treatment.
12) How are exposure concentrations measured and verified?
The project verifies exposure concentrations through repeated seawater sampling at multiple time points (24, 48, and 96 hours). Metal concentrations are quantified using high-resolution sector field ICP-MS, and the approach is used to calculate integrated exposure concentrations rather than relying only on nominal dosing.
13) What adult coral endpoints are measured?
Adult corals are monitored daily for survival and visible stress responses. LC50 values are calculated for each metal and season. The project also includes tissue and skeleton analyses for metal accumulation and biological condition metrics such as chlorophyll, zooxanthellae density, and protein.
14) What early-life-stage work is included?
The opportunity includes early-life-stage toxicity testing during the peak spawning period (roughly May through August). Endpoints include lethal and sublethal effects, with the exact tests aligned to each species reproductive strategy.
15) What early-life-stage testing is planned for Montipora capitata?
For Montipora capitata (a broadcast spawning hermaphrodite that releases gamete bundles around the new moon in summer), the project evaluates fertilization success under metal exposure. Gametes from different colonies are combined and exposed in small glass vials across a control plus increasing metal concentrations with replication. Development is halted after about three hours using a fixative so fertilization outcomes can be scored under a microscope, and EC50 values for fertilization impairment are developed for Cu, Zn, and Pb across the spawning season.
16) What additional measurements are included for Montipora capitata eggs?
Selected egg samples are analyzed for metal content and basic physiological indicators (chlorophyll, zooxanthellae, and protein) to help connect exposure with biological condition.
17) What early-life-stage testing is planned for Pocillopora damicornis?
For Pocillopora damicornis (a brooding coral that releases fully developed larvae, often with a summer peak), early-life-stage testing focuses on larval survival (LC50) and settlement success (EC50). Larvae are exposed in glass Petri dishes with repeated seawater changes, and survival and settlement are tracked frequently over roughly two weeks. Exposure concentrations are verified via ICP-MS.
18) Will early-life-stage tests be replicated over time?
The announcement states that replication over time is planned but depends on larval availability.
19) What toxicological outputs will be produced?
The project is intended to produce LC50 values for lethality, EC50 values for sublethal impairment (such as fertilization or settlement impacts), and NOEC values identified as the highest concentration not significantly different from controls for each response endpoint.
20) What statistical methods are proposed?
The analysis plan uses standard toxicological statistics including one-way and two-way ANOVA to test for treatment effects and to separate the influence of metal concentration from timing/season (and their interaction). Post-hoc comparisons use Tukey tests, and NOEC values are determined based on statistical comparison to controls.
21) What is the practical end goal for management or policy?
A stated goal is to provide seasonally informed guidance on concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Pb that would better support coral reef sustainability and growth in tropical waters. Another stated aim is to assess whether current criteria (including USEPA water quality criteria) appear sufficiently protective for tropical corals, and to generate evidence that could support updates where criteria appear inadequate.
22) Where will the study take place?
The study area is Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, near Coconut Island. The announcement notes this area is suitable due to reef research infrastructure and relevant local pollution concerns.
23) What is the project period?
The project period is January 2009 through December 2009, with the possibility of a one-year extension.
24) What deliverables are expected and when are they due?
Planned deliverables include a mid-year report (June 2009), an annual report (October 2009) summarizing progress and seasonal adult results plus summer spawning data, and a final report (December 2009) documenting all toxicity protocols, results, and statistical analyses for adult and early life stage testing.
25) Does the opportunity anticipate publications or presentations?
The announcement anticipates broader scientific dissemination through one or two peer-reviewed journal articles and presentations at a scientific meeting, with copies provided to FWS.
26) How many awards are expected?
The announcement indicates an expectation of one award.
27) Is cost-sharing or matching required?
Yes. The opportunity states there is a cost-sharing/matching requirement.
28) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are public and state-controlled institutions of higher education.
29) What is the estimated total project budget and the FWS contribution cap?
The total project budget is estimated at $97,029. The Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office contribution is not to exceed $34,329.
30) Are partners expected to be involved?
The announcement references technical support involvement from partners such as FWS and USGS.
31) What are the posting and closing dates?
The posting date is January 13, 2009, and the closing date is January 27, 2009.
32) Who is the project officer for this opportunity?
The project officer listed is Jeff Phillips, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, Honolulu.
33) Who is listed as the grants assistant contact for access issues?
The grants assistant contact listed for access issues is Ken Sato.
34) Which broader federal priorities does the opportunity support?
The opportunity is framed as supporting federal coral conservation priorities, including Executive Order 13089 on Coral Reef Protection and the U.S. Ocean Action Plan, and as strengthening pollution reduction strategies in waters that support coral reefs (including refuges and non-refuge coral areas).
35) What makes this project different from typical metal toxicity data used in guidelines?
The announcement stresses that much of the existing basis for water quality guidelines comes from temperate species and temperate conditions. This project explicitly tests tropical coral sensitivity and includes seasonal timing plus early-life-stage testing to better reflect real-world coral reef conditions in Hawaii.
36) What life stages are directly compared in the project?
The project compares adult coral sensitivity to early-life-stage sensitivity to identify which life stage is most vulnerable for each metal (Cu, Zn, and Pb).
37) What kinds of sublethal effects are considered ecologically important in this opportunity?
Sublethal effects highlighted include impaired fertilization success (for broadcast spawners) and reduced settlement success (for brooding corals). The announcement emphasizes that these impairments can reduce recruitment and long-term reef resilience even when outright mortality is not observed.
38) What does the opportunity say about why spawning season may matter?
It notes that during spawning, energy reserves may be diverted toward reproduction, which could reduce the ability of corals to tolerate additional stressors such as toxic metal exposure.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Environment
Next opportunity: Higher Education Disaster Relief CFDA 84.938
Previous opportunity: Center on the Effective Delivery of Rehabilitation Technology by State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies to Improve Employment Outcomes CFDA 84.133A 4
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for FWSPIES5
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (FWSPIES5) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Moose and Wolf Capture Operations and Cooperative Studies Apply for 701819R148 Funding Number: 701819R148 Agency: Region 7 Category: Environment Funding Amount: $10,000 |
| Five Year Review of the Status of the Genus Achatinella Apply for FWSPIO1 Funding Number: FWSPIO1 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $20,000 |
| Five Year Review of the Status of 56 Plant Species Apply for FWSPIO2 Funding Number: FWSPIO2 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| Development of a Monitoring Strategy for Climate Change Impacts on NPS Coastal resources Apply for NPS 10 NERO 0001 Funding Number: NPS 10 NERO 0001 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| Status and Trends of Alaska NPS Glaciers Apply for J9923100009 Funding Number: J9923100009 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $260,271 |
| Bowhead Coastal Observation Project Apply for H9911100022 Funding Number: H9911100022 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $115,468 |
| Ocean Currents of the Bering Strait Region Apply for H9911100026 Funding Number: H9911100026 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $90,000 |
| Health of Walruses Apply for H9911100047 Funding Number: H9911100047 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Data Analysis, Report Writing and Status and Trends of Alaska NPS Apply for J9923100011 Funding Number: J9923100011 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Climate Change Scenario Planning for Alaska Region National Park Service Units Apply for J9921101008 Funding Number: J9921101008 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $335,000 |
| Volume Change of Glaciers in Alaskas National Parks Apply for J9840100196 Funding Number: J9840100196 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $221,107 |
| Whats Climate Change to You Apply for H9911110013 Funding Number: H9911110013 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $135,000 |
| Notice of Intent to Award to Peregrine Fund Apply for FWS PF11 Funding Number: FWS PF11 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $260,700 |
| Ocean Acidification at Glacier Bay National Park Preserve Apply for P11AT90326 Funding Number: P11AT90326 Agency: National Park Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| California Condor Program Apply for F16AS00022 Funding Number: F16AS00022 Agency: DOI-FWS Category: Environment Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| FY 2016 Request for Proposals from Indian Tribes and Intertribal Consortia for Nonpoint Source Management Grants Under Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 319 Apply for EPA OW OWOW 16 01 Funding Number: EPA OW OWOW 16 01 Agency: EPA Category: Environment Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| FY16 Guidelines for Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Grants Apply for EPA OSWER OBLR 15 05 Funding Number: EPA OSWER OBLR 15 05 Agency: EPA Category: Environment Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| CTLWSP Recovery At D Street Nesting Site Apply for F16AS00031 Funding Number: F16AS00031 Agency: DOI-FWS Category: Environment Funding Amount: $100,187 |
| Chesapeake Bay Program Office Fiscal Year 2015 Request for Proposals for Chesapeake Bay Program Committees Support Apply for EPA R3 CBP 15 07 Funding Number: EPA R3 CBP 15 07 Agency: EPA Category: Environment Funding Amount: $5,520,000 |
| TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO BROWNFIELDS COMMUNITIES Apply for EPA OSWER OBLR 16 02 Funding Number: EPA OSWER OBLR 16 02 Agency: EPA Category: Environment Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "FWSPIES5", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.