Opportunity Information: Apply for FWS R5 ES 09 011
Apply for FWS R5 ES 09 011
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "White nose Syndrome Research" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.649 Service Training and Technical Assistance (Generic Training).
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 20, 2009 and posted on Jun 19, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 31, 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 $800,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $800,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education City or township governments County governments Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education State governments Special district governments.
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Opportunity Summary:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) released this FY 2009 grant and cooperative agreement opportunity to support new research and management projects focused on White-nose Syndrome (WNS), a disease first documented in New York during the winter of 2006-2007 that has since caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of bats across the northeastern United States. At the time of the announcement, WNS had been reported in at least 65 hibernation sites (hibernacula) across multiple states including New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia. The syndrome is associated with a distinctive white fungal growth on bats (notably on the muzzle and wings), unusual winter behavior such as shifting roost sites and flying outdoors during the day, mass mortality and sharp population declines at hibernation sites, and wing membrane damage that can persist into mid-summer. FWS emphasized that funded work should strengthen the agency's ability to conserve federally listed bat species such as the Indiana bat, Virginia big-eared bat, and gray bat, while noting that research may appropriately rely on surrogate bat species when that is safer or more practical.
The core purpose of the competition was to fund projects that address high-priority scientific and applied management questions about WNS. The primary research priorities were centered on determining what is actually causing bat mortality, including clarifying the role of the fungus identified at the time as Geomyces sp., and understanding how WNS-related conditions like abnormal behavior, changes in body condition, physiological stress, and immune responses connect to death and what drives those changes. Another major priority was determining whether WNS can spread outside of caves and mines, such as in summer maternity colonies, during breeding, or among bat species that do not use hibernacula, and if so, identifying the pathway or mechanism of transmission. The opportunity also sought projects that explore whether WNS can be treated or controlled, and whether some bat species or individuals are more susceptible than others in ways that affect survival. Alongside these research questions, FWS also solicited work that supports practical response needs: designing containment strategies, quantifying impacts on bat populations, building monitoring and surveillance approaches, developing rapid assessment protocols to quickly determine whether sites or bats are affected, and evaluating conservation interventions such as captive propagation for insectivorous bats (with particular attention to the Virginia big-eared bat) and the potential role of captive management or rehabilitation as a response tool.
The funding was offered as discretionary support under either a cooperative agreement or a grant, within an environmental program context (CFDA 15.649, Service Training and Technical Assistance). The announcement anticipated roughly 10 awards, with an estimated total funding amount of $800,000. Individual awards could be as small as $5,000, and the stated award ceiling was $800,000. Cost sharing or matching funds were not required, but partnerships and contributed resources were encouraged and could improve an applicant's competitiveness during ranking.
Eligibility was broad and included state governments, local governments (city/township, county, and special district governments), public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), as long as they were not institutions of higher education in the category where that restriction applied). Projects were expected to run for one to two years and had to be completed by September 30, 2011. Applicants were required to coordinate project scope and implementation with the appropriate state natural resource agency or agencies, ideally before submitting the proposal. If selected for funding, applicants would need to secure all necessary state and federal permits, obtain a DUNS number, and register in the Central Contractor Registration system (CCR, as referenced at the time). FWS also made collaboration and information sharing a condition of participation, indicating that funded teams must work cooperatively with other labs and share results, with specific data-sharing requirements to be detailed in each approved scope of work.
Proposals had to directly respond to the FY 2009 priorities and be written in a structured way that makes evaluation straightforward. Applicants were expected to explain which priority or priorities their project addresses, lay out clear and measurable, outcome-oriented objectives, and describe the activities that will be used to achieve those objectives along with a timeline. They also needed to provide detailed budget information and identify any partnership or matching funds (while reiterating that match was not mandatory). Proposals had to discuss what conservation consequences might occur if the project was not funded in FY 2009, explicitly summarize the single most important strength of the proposal in the final paragraph, and briefly document qualifications of the primary investigator and key partners or team members. A specific requirement was to explain how the work addresses threats to federally listed bat species, reinforcing that the program was not only about general disease science but also about actionable outcomes for protected species conservation.
In terms of process and timing, FWS anticipated making selections by September 4, 2009, with the earliest likely project start date around September 30, 2009. The original closing date was July 15, 2009, later extended to July 31, 2009, and the opportunity was archived on August 14, 2009. Proposals were ranked largely on how closely they matched the stated FY 2009 priorities, how timely the work was, and how much it contributed overall to the WNS response effort, with partnerships and additional resources considered as a favorable factor. Applicants were told they would be notified of the final decision whether or not they were selected. For access issues with the full announcement, the listed contact was Christal Cutler, Contract Specialist, at 413-253-8233.
White-nose Syndrome (WNS) FY 2009 FWS Grant/Cooperative Agreement - FAQs
What is this funding opportunity about?
This FY 2009 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) grant and cooperative agreement opportunity supported new research and management projects focused on White-nose Syndrome (WNS), a bat disease associated with large-scale bat mortality and population declines in the northeastern United States.
What is White-nose Syndrome (WNS) as described in the announcement?
WNS was described as being associated with a distinctive white fungal growth on bats (especially on the muzzle and wings), unusual winter behavior (including shifting roost sites and flying outdoors during the day), mass mortality and sharp declines at hibernation sites, and wing membrane damage that can persist into mid-summer.
When and where was WNS first documented?
WNS was first documented in New York during the winter of 2006-2007.
Which states and sites were known to be affected at the time of the announcement?
At the time of the announcement, WNS had been reported in at least 65 hibernation sites (hibernacula) across multiple states, including New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia.
What was the core purpose of the competition?
The core purpose was to fund projects that address high-priority scientific and applied management questions about WNS, with an emphasis on improving the ability to conserve bats, including federally listed species.
Which federally listed bat species did FWS emphasize?
FWS emphasized strengthening conservation capacity for federally listed bat species such as the Indiana bat, Virginia big-eared bat, and gray bat.
Are surrogate bat species allowed in research?
Yes. The announcement noted that research may appropriately rely on surrogate bat species when that is safer or more practical, while still supporting conservation goals for federally listed bats.
What were the primary research priorities?
Primary priorities included determining what is actually causing bat mortality (including clarifying the role of the fungus identified at the time as Geomyces sp.) and understanding how WNS-related conditions such as abnormal behavior, changes in body condition, physiological stress, and immune responses connect to death and what drives those changes.
Did the opportunity include research on how WNS spreads?
Yes. A major priority was determining whether WNS can spread outside caves and mines (for example, in summer maternity colonies, during breeding, or among species that do not use hibernacula) and, if so, identifying the pathway or mechanism of transmission.
Did the opportunity support work on treatment or control of WNS?
Yes. The opportunity sought projects that explore whether WNS can be treated or controlled.
Did the opportunity seek research on susceptibility differences among bats?
Yes. It sought work examining whether some bat species or individuals are more susceptible than others in ways that affect survival.
What applied management or response needs were included?
In addition to research, FWS solicited work that supports practical response needs such as designing containment strategies, quantifying impacts on bat populations, building monitoring and surveillance approaches, developing rapid assessment protocols to determine whether sites or bats are affected, and evaluating conservation interventions.
Did the opportunity mention captive propagation or rehabilitation?
Yes. It included evaluating conservation interventions such as captive propagation for insectivorous bats, with particular attention to the Virginia big-eared bat, and considering the potential role of captive management or rehabilitation as a response tool.
What type of funding mechanism was used?
Funding was offered as discretionary support under either a cooperative agreement or a grant.
What program context or CFDA number was referenced?
The opportunity was within an environmental program context and referenced CFDA 15.649 (Service Training and Technical Assistance).
How much total funding was anticipated?
The announcement anticipated an estimated total funding amount of $800,000.
How many awards were expected?
FWS anticipated roughly 10 awards.
What was the minimum and maximum award size?
Individual awards could be as small as $5,000. The stated award ceiling was $800,000.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. Cost sharing or matching funds were not required.
Do partnerships matter if matching funds are not required?
Yes. Partnerships and contributed resources were encouraged and could improve competitiveness during ranking.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility included state governments; local governments (city/township, county, and special district governments); public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; and nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), subject to the stated restriction that certain nonprofit categories were eligible as long as they were not institutions of higher education where that restriction applied).
What project period was expected?
Projects were expected to run for one to two years.
By when did projects have to be completed?
Projects had to be completed by September 30, 2011.
Was coordination with state agencies required?
Yes. Applicants were required to coordinate project scope and implementation with the appropriate state natural resource agency or agencies, ideally before submitting the proposal.
What administrative registrations or identifiers were required if selected?
If selected, applicants would need to secure all necessary state and federal permits, obtain a DUNS number, and register in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) system (as referenced at the time).
Were collaboration and information sharing required?
Yes. Collaboration and information sharing were conditions of participation. Funded teams were expected to work cooperatively with other labs and share results, with specific data-sharing requirements to be detailed in each approved scope of work.
What did proposals need to include to be considered responsive?
Proposals had to directly respond to the FY 2009 priorities and be written in a structured way that supports straightforward evaluation.
How should applicants describe alignment with priorities?
Applicants were expected to explain which priority or priorities their project addresses.
What kind of objectives were expected?
Objectives were expected to be clear, measurable, and outcome-oriented.
What planning details were required in the proposal?
Applicants needed to describe the activities that will be used to achieve objectives and provide a timeline.
What budget information was required?
Applicants were expected to provide detailed budget information and identify any partnership or matching funds (while noting that match was not mandatory).
Did proposals need to address what happens if the project is not funded?
Yes. Proposals had to discuss what conservation consequences might occur if the project was not funded in FY 2009.
Was there a specific writing requirement for the final paragraph?
Yes. Proposals were required to explicitly summarize the single most important strength of the proposal in the final paragraph.
Were qualifications of the research team required?
Yes. Applicants were expected to briefly document qualifications of the primary investigator and key partners or team members.
Did proposals need to tie work to federally listed species conservation?
Yes. A specific requirement was to explain how the work addresses threats to federally listed bat species, reinforcing a focus on actionable conservation outcomes.
How were proposals ranked?
Proposals were ranked largely on how closely they matched the stated FY 2009 priorities, how timely the work was, and how much it contributed overall to the WNS response effort. Partnerships and additional resources were considered favorable.
When were selections expected?
FWS anticipated making selections by September 4, 2009.
When was the earliest likely start date?
The earliest likely project start date was around September 30, 2009.
What was the proposal due date?
The original closing date was July 15, 2009, and it was later extended to July 31, 2009.
When was the opportunity archived?
The opportunity was archived on August 14, 2009.
Would applicants be notified if they were not selected?
Yes. Applicants were told they would be notified of the final decision whether or not they were selected.
Who was the contact for access issues with the full announcement?
The listed contact for access issues was Christal Cutler, Contract Specialist, at 413-253-8233.
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