Opportunity Information: Apply for F15AS00383
Apply for F15AS00383
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment information and statistics natural resources science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "The acute and chronic toxicity of two herbicides on early life stages of Delta Smelt" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.650 Research Grants (Generic).
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 21, 2015 and posted on Jul 21, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 26, 2015 THE RECIPIENT HAS BEEN SELECTED. SEE ATTACHED NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $140,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $140,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
- THE RECIPIENT HAS BEEN SELECTED. SEE ATTACHED NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD.
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Opportunity Summary:
This grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number F15AS00383), issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, focuses on understanding how two newly registered herbicides, imazamox and penoxsulam, may affect Delta Smelt during their earliest and most vulnerable life stages. The core purpose is to generate toxicity data that can help clarify whether these herbicides pose acute (short-term) or chronic (longer-term) risks to Delta Smelt, a species of high conservation concern in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. In addition to standard toxicity outcomes, the work emphasizes whether exposure could disrupt endocrine function, specifically looking for androgenic and estrogenic effects that can influence development, reproduction, and overall fitness.
The planned research involves running two bioassays designed to detect potential endocrine-related impacts across the species life history. Because the chemicals are described as "low toxicity" and endocrine-related effects can be subtle, the project uses a stepwise approach. A preliminary screening phase will use Japanese Medaka, a widely used model organism in endocrine testing, to evaluate whether measurable endocrine signals appear under controlled exposure conditions. Based on how clear and robust the Medaka results are, the study then proceeds to follow-up endocrine testing with Delta Smelt, targeting the endpoints most supported by the preliminary screening. This structure is meant to reduce uncertainty and ensure that Delta Smelt testing is focused on the most scientifically justified endocrine indicators.
A key technical component of the project is chemical verification of exposure. Water samples from the test systems will be submitted for chemical analysis to confirm the actual concentrations of imazamox and penoxsulam present during the bioassays. This is important because toxicity and endocrine responses can only be interpreted reliably when exposure is accurately measured rather than assumed from nominal dosing, especially for herbicides that may degrade, adsorb to surfaces, or vary over time in aquatic test conditions.
From an administrative standpoint, this was a discretionary grant in the environment and natural resources research area (CFDA 15.650, Research Grants - Generic). The opportunity anticipated a single award with an estimated total funding amount of $140,000, with an award ceiling of $140,000 and an award floor of $100,000. There was no cost sharing or matching requirement. The posting date was July 21, 2015, with an original and current closing date of July 26, 2015, and an archive date of July 27, 2015. The notice in the listing states that the recipient had already been selected at the time the opportunity was posted, referencing an attached Notice of Intent to Award, which suggests the announcement functioned largely as a formal public posting rather than an open competitive solicitation.
The listing notes eligibility as "unrestricted" in general terms, but also reiterates that a recipient had been selected, meaning new applicants were not realistically able to compete for the award during the brief posting window. For access issues or questions related to the announcement, the contact provided is John Ridilla at the Fish and Wildlife Service (916-930-5624, JohnRidilla@fws.gov). The associated Grants.gov link is provided for the official record and any attached documents tied to the opportunity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the funding opportunity number for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is F15AS00383.
Which federal agency issued this grant opportunity?
This opportunity was issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
What is the main purpose of the grant?
The purpose is to generate toxicity data to help determine whether two newly registered herbicides, imazamox and penoxsulam, pose acute (short-term) and/or chronic (longer-term) risks to Delta Smelt during their earliest and most vulnerable life stages.
Which species is the research focused on?
The primary focus is Delta Smelt, a species of high conservation concern in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
Which chemicals are being studied?
The study focuses on two herbicides: imazamox and penoxsulam.
What types of effects is the study trying to measure?
The project aims to assess both standard toxicity outcomes (acute and chronic) and potential endocrine-related effects, specifically whether exposure may disrupt endocrine function through androgenic and/or estrogenic effects that could influence development, reproduction, and overall fitness.
Why is endocrine disruption a specific focus in this project?
Because endocrine-related impacts can affect key biological processes like development and reproduction, and the opportunity description emphasizes evaluating androgenic and estrogenic effects as part of understanding potential risks to Delta Smelt.
How is the research structured?
The planned work involves two bioassays designed to detect potential endocrine-related impacts across the life history. It uses a stepwise approach: an initial screening with Japanese Medaka followed by targeted follow-up endocrine testing with Delta Smelt based on the screening results.
Why does the project start with Japanese Medaka instead of testing Delta Smelt first?
The opportunity describes imazamox and penoxsulam as "low toxicity" and notes that endocrine effects can be subtle. Japanese Medaka is a widely used model organism for endocrine testing, so the Medaka screening is used to see whether measurable endocrine signals appear under controlled exposure conditions before proceeding to Delta Smelt testing.
What determines whether the study proceeds from Medaka screening to Delta Smelt endocrine testing?
Progression depends on how clear and robust the Medaka results are. The follow-up Delta Smelt endocrine testing is intended to target the endpoints most supported by the preliminary screening.
What is the benefit of the stepwise approach described in the opportunity?
The stepwise design is intended to reduce uncertainty and to make sure Delta Smelt testing focuses on the most scientifically justified endocrine indicators, based on the preliminary screening evidence.
Does the project include chemical verification of exposure concentrations?
Yes. Water samples from the test systems are submitted for chemical analysis to confirm the actual concentrations of imazamox and penoxsulam present during the bioassays.
Why is chemical verification of exposure considered important for this work?
The opportunity states that toxicity and endocrine responses can only be interpreted reliably when exposure is accurately measured rather than assumed from nominal dosing. This is especially relevant for herbicides that may degrade, adsorb to surfaces, or vary over time in aquatic test conditions.
What type of grant is this (administratively)?
It is described as a discretionary grant in the environment and natural resources research area.
What is the CFDA program number and title associated with this opportunity?
The listing cites CFDA 15.650, Research Grants - Generic.
How many awards were anticipated?
The opportunity anticipated a single award.
What is the estimated total funding amount for this opportunity?
The estimated total funding amount is $140,000.
What are the award ceiling and award floor?
The award ceiling is $140,000 and the award floor is $100,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity states there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The posting date was July 21, 2015. The original and current closing date was July 26, 2015.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date was July 27, 2015.
Was this opportunity open for competitive applications?
Based on the listing, the recipient had already been selected at the time the opportunity was posted, and the notice references an attached Notice of Intent to Award. This suggests the posting functioned mainly as a formal public announcement rather than an open competitive solicitation.
What does the listing say about eligibility?
The listing notes eligibility as "unrestricted" in general terms. At the same time, it reiterates that a recipient had been selected, which means new applicants were not realistically able to compete for the award during the brief posting window described.
Who is the contact person for questions about the announcement or access issues?
The contact provided is John Ridilla at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
What contact information is provided for the opportunity?
Phone: 916-930-5624. Email: JohnRidilla@fws.gov.
Is there an official Grants.gov link associated with the opportunity?
Yes. The description notes that a Grants.gov link is provided for the official record and for any attached documents tied to the opportunity.
What is the broader conservation context mentioned for this work?
The work is framed around understanding potential risks to Delta Smelt in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, emphasizing early life stages as the most vulnerable period and focusing on endpoints that could affect overall fitness.
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