Opportunity Information: Apply for FWS R5 ES 12 001
Apply for FWS R5 ES 12 001
- 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): 15.657 Endangered Species Conservation Recovery Implementation Funds.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 21, 2011 and posted on Oct 21, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 4, 2011. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $350,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Small businesses For profit organizations other than small businesses Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education Independent school districts State governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) City or township governments County governments Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Special district governments.
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Opportunity Summary:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a 2012 Request for Proposals focused on research that directly supports the investigation and management of white-nose syndrome (WNS), the bat disease associated with the fungus Geomyces destructans (Gd). The program was designed to close urgent knowledge gaps that were limiting managers ability to slow the spread of the disease and reduce bat mortality, especially as monitoring through the 2010/2011 winter documented continued expansion and severe population declines at affected hibernation sites. As of September 1, 2011, WNS or evidence suggestive of Gd had been reported across a broad and growing geographic area (19 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces), and the Service noted that available evidence did not indicate bat populations were likely to stabilize or rebound in the near term.
Funding was expected to total up to $1,000,000 (contingent on budget conditions), supporting an estimated five awards. Individual awards were anticipated to range from $30,000 to $350,000. The opportunity used grant and cooperative agreement instruments under CFDA 15.657 (Endangered Species Conservation - Recovery Implementation Funds) and fell under the environment activity category. Awards were expected to be announced in February 2012, with the earliest likely project start date around May 1, 2012. Proposals were due by midnight on December 4, 2011.
The RFP identified three non-ranked research priority areas. First, the Service sought studies that clarify when and how Gd is transmitted, including identifying key seasons for pathogen movement, potential reservoirs, and site or biological conditions linked to bat survival versus susceptibility. Second, it prioritized work that documents how fungal growth and disease expression develop within a site over time, such as defining infection thresholds, comparing fungal loads across species within the same hibernaculum, and determining whether earlier seasonal onset at contaminated sites corresponds with higher mortality. Third, the Service emphasized practical, non-chemical control approaches for use in wild settings, including biological strategies to interrupt transmission or reduce Gd viability, and environmental manipulations that could lower fungal loads or improve survival without relying on chemical treatments.
Eligibility was broad, spanning federal, state, tribal, and local governments; universities (public and private); nonprofits (including those without 501(c)(3) status); and for-profit entities, including small businesses. However, applicants had to meet several compliance and coordination expectations. Projects generally needed to be completed within two years of funding notification (with a noted exception for some federal agencies with a deadline of September 30, 2013). Before submitting, applicants were expected to coordinate with relevant partners such as state natural resource agencies, federal biologists and land managers, and local landowners to confirm feasibility, access, sampling, and permitting, and to provide an affirmation of partner support on the proposal cover page. Applicants were also expected to notify the appropriate regional Service WNS Coordinator, specify any state or Service support needed for fieldwork or analysis, and secure all required permits and permissions before starting. Animal research requirements were explicit: funded investigators had to demonstrate compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and obtain appropriate IACUC review when applicable, and they were required to follow established diagnostic protocols (or show that alternative methods performed comparably). Administrative requirements included obtaining a DUNS number and registering in the federal contractor registry system referenced in the announcement.
Proposals were limited to 15 pages total (including the cover page, executive summary, figures/tables, itemized budget, and supplemental information like qualifications and funding details), excluding standard federal forms (SF-424 series). The required format included a one-page cover sheet with project basics and partner affirmations; a one-page executive summary written for public release; and a main narrative organized around an introduction (problem statement, objectives/hypotheses, deliverables, and alignment with priorities), methods (species, handling and treatment details, disturbance/euthanasia practices if any, and a task timeline), and discussion (management relevance, connection to existing work, and consequences of not funding). The budget had to be justified and broken down by objective and year, showing outside funding, indirect costs, and any matching funds or partner contributions (matching was not required). The Service discouraged high overhead, noting that indirect rates above 17.5 percent would likely be noncompetitive and might not be supported. Proposals using fonts smaller than 12-point were not accepted.
Review was conducted by a panel of Service staff and other federal and state agency representatives, with outside experts brought in as needed. Applicants could optionally suggest qualified reviewers or identify individuals they preferred not review their submission. Ranking emphasized alignment with the stated 2012 priorities, how time-sensitive the work was, the likelihood of achieving credible results, the overall value to the WNS investigation, and cost-effectiveness. Partnerships and resource-leveraging through matching funds were encouraged and considered positively, as was keeping indirect costs low. Applicants also had to be in good standing on prior federal awards to be eligible.
Reporting expectations were substantial and geared toward both accountability and public communication. Funded projects required semiannual progress reports of roughly 1 to 2 pages suitable for public distribution, describing progress and any setbacks. A final report in research-manuscript style was required within 90 days of the grant end date, including standard sections (executive summary through literature cited) and final budget details, and it had to be approved by the Service before final payment. Any meaningful changes to approved objectives or procedures also required prior Service approval.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - USFWS White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) Research RFP (2012)
What is this funding opportunity about?
This Request for Proposals (RFP) from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service supports research that directly advances the investigation and management of white-nose syndrome (WNS), a bat disease associated with the fungus Geomyces destructans (Gd). The intent is to close urgent knowledge gaps that were limiting managers' ability to slow disease spread and reduce bat mortality.
Why was this research program considered urgent?
The Service cited continued geographic expansion and severe population declines at affected hibernation sites documented during the 2010/2011 winter monitoring period. As of September 1, 2011, WNS or evidence suggestive of Gd had been reported in 19 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces, and available evidence did not indicate bat populations were likely to stabilize or rebound in the near term.
How much total funding was expected to be available?
Total funding was expected to be up to $1,000,000, contingent on budget conditions.
How many awards were anticipated?
The Service estimated approximately five awards.
What was the expected size of individual awards?
Individual awards were anticipated to range from $30,000 to $350,000.
What funding instruments were used?
The opportunity used grant and cooperative agreement instruments.
What CFDA program was associated with this opportunity?
This opportunity was under CFDA 15.657 (Endangered Species Conservation - Recovery Implementation Funds).
What activity category did this opportunity fall under?
The activity category was environment.
When were proposals due?
Proposals were due by midnight on December 4, 2011.
When were awards expected to be announced?
Awards were expected to be announced in February 2012.
When was the earliest likely project start date?
The earliest likely project start date was around May 1, 2012.
How long did projects have to be completed?
Projects generally needed to be completed within two years of funding notification. An exception was noted for some federal agencies with a deadline of September 30, 2013.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was broad and included federal, state, tribal, and local governments; public and private universities; nonprofits (including those without 501(c)(3) status); and for-profit entities, including small businesses.
Were there eligibility conditions related to prior federal awards?
Yes. Applicants had to be in good standing on prior federal awards to be eligible.
What were the main research priority areas?
The RFP identified three non-ranked research priority areas: (1) studies clarifying when and how Gd is transmitted; (2) work documenting how fungal growth and disease expression develop within a site over time; and (3) practical, non-chemical control approaches suitable for wild settings.
Are the priority areas ranked?
No. The RFP described the three research priority areas as non-ranked.
What kinds of questions fit within the transmission priority area?
Examples included identifying key seasons for pathogen movement, potential reservoirs, and site or biological conditions linked to bat survival versus susceptibility.
What kinds of studies fit within the site-level disease development priority area?
Examples included defining infection thresholds, comparing fungal loads across species within the same hibernaculum, and determining whether earlier seasonal onset at contaminated sites corresponds with higher mortality.
What kinds of projects fit within the non-chemical control priority area?
The Service emphasized practical, non-chemical control approaches for use in wild settings, including biological strategies to interrupt transmission or reduce Gd viability, and environmental manipulations that could lower fungal loads or improve survival without relying on chemical treatments.
Was matching funding required?
No. Matching was not required, but partnerships and resource-leveraging through matching funds were encouraged and considered positively during review.
Were indirect (overhead) costs addressed?
Yes. The Service discouraged high overhead and noted that indirect rates above 17.5 percent would likely be noncompetitive and might not be supported.
What coordination was expected before submitting a proposal?
Before submitting, applicants were expected to coordinate with relevant partners such as state natural resource agencies, federal biologists and land managers, and local landowners to confirm feasibility, access, sampling, and permitting.
Did the proposal need to show partner support?
Yes. The cover page was required to include an affirmation of partner support.
Was contact with the Service required prior to submission?
Applicants were expected to notify the appropriate regional Service WNS Coordinator.
What details about Service or state support needed to be included?
Applicants were expected to specify any state or Service support needed for fieldwork or analysis.
When did permits and permissions need to be secured?
All required permits and permissions needed to be secured before starting the project.
What animal research compliance requirements applied?
Funded investigators had to demonstrate compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and obtain appropriate IACUC review when applicable.
Were there requirements about diagnostic protocols?
Yes. Investigators were required to follow established diagnostic protocols, or show that any alternative methods performed comparably.
What registrations or identifiers were required for applicants?
Administrative requirements included obtaining a DUNS number and registering in the federal contractor registry system referenced in the announcement.
How long could the proposal be?
Proposals were limited to 15 pages total, including the cover page, executive summary, figures/tables, itemized budget, and supplemental information (such as qualifications and funding details). Standard federal forms (SF-424 series) were excluded from the page limit.
What formatting rules applied (font size)?
Proposals using fonts smaller than 12-point were not accepted.
What was required on the cover sheet?
The required format included a one-page cover sheet with basic project information and partner affirmations.
What was required in the executive summary?
A one-page executive summary was required and had to be written for public release.
What sections were required in the main narrative?
The main narrative needed to include: an introduction (problem statement, objectives/hypotheses, deliverables, and alignment with priorities); methods (species, handling and treatment details, disturbance/euthanasia practices if any, and a task timeline); and a discussion (management relevance, connection to existing work, and consequences of not funding).
What budget details were required?
The budget had to be justified and broken down by objective and by year, and it needed to show outside funding, indirect costs, and any matching funds or partner contributions (even though matching was not required).
Who reviewed proposals?
Review was conducted by a panel of Service staff and other federal and state agency representatives, with outside experts brought in as needed.
Could applicants suggest or exclude reviewers?
Yes. Applicants could optionally suggest qualified reviewers or identify individuals they preferred not review their submission.
What factors were emphasized in proposal ranking?
Ranking emphasized alignment with the 2012 priorities, how time-sensitive the work was, the likelihood of achieving credible results, the overall value to the WNS investigation, and cost-effectiveness. Partnerships and leveraging resources were considered positively, as was keeping indirect costs low.
What reporting was required during the project?
Funded projects required semiannual progress reports of roughly 1 to 2 pages suitable for public distribution, describing progress and any setbacks.
What was required at the end of the project?
A final report in research-manuscript style was required within 90 days of the grant end date. It needed to include standard sections (executive summary through literature cited) as well as final budget details.
Did the Service need to approve the final report?
Yes. The final report had to be approved by the Service before final payment.
Could a funded project change its objectives or procedures after award?
Any meaningful changes to approved objectives or procedures required prior Service approval.
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