Systemic analysis of hydrogeomorphic influences on native freshwater mussels | USGS 19 FA 0068

Opportunity Information: Apply for USGS 19 FA 0068

The grant opportunity titled "Systemic analysis of hydrogeomorphic influences on native freshwater mussels" (Funding Opportunity Number: USGS 19 FA 0068) is a discretionary research award from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) within the Department of the Interior. It is offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning the work is expected to be carried out collaboratively with the federal agency rather than as a purely hands-off pass-through of funds. The program sits in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category under CFDA 15.808, reflecting a focus on applied scientific study that supports natural resource decision-making.

The central purpose of the project is to improve understanding of how hydrogeomorphology, essentially the interaction of river flow, channel form, sediment dynamics, and related physical processes, influences native freshwater mussel populations in the Upper Mississippi River (UMR). The opportunity emphasizes that a key first step is collecting large-scale, system-wide data on native mussels across specific reaches of the UMR. In practical terms, the scope is geared toward building a broad, consistent dataset that can be used to examine patterns in where mussels occur, how many are present, how diverse mussel communities are, and whether populations are successfully recruiting younger mussels into the system.

A major motivation for the work is conservation urgency. Native freshwater mussels are described as critically imperiled, and they are a high-priority resource for multiple stakeholders, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, state natural resource agencies, and non-governmental conservation organizations. Despite this high level of concern, managers currently lack reliable metrics that can predict mussel distribution, abundance, diversity, and recruitment in large river environments like the UMR. Without those predictive tools, it is difficult to clearly define what qualifies as suitable mussel habitat at river scale, and it is also difficult to judge how management actions, such as navigation maintenance, habitat restoration, flow management, dredging, or other channel and floodplain interventions, may be affecting mussel populations over time.

The opportunity is narrowly targeted in eligibility: only state governments are listed as eligible applicants. Funding was relatively limited and competitive, with an award ceiling of $112,775 and an expectation of a single award. The timeline was short, with the opportunity posted on February 15, 2019 and an original closing date of February 22, 2019, indicating a rapid turnaround consistent with a focused, specific research need.

Overall, this grant opportunity supports a foundational data-gathering and analysis effort aimed at linking physical river processes and forms to biological outcomes for native mussels in the Upper Mississippi River. The intended payoff is better, evidence-based habitat definitions and predictive capacity, which would help agencies and partners evaluate impacts of river management and design more effective conservation and restoration strategies for one of the most threatened groups of freshwater organisms.

• The Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Systemic analysis of hydrogeomorphic influences on native freshwater mussels" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.808.
• This funding opportunity was created on Feb 15, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 22, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $112,775.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments.

Apply for USGS 19 FA 0068

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