Opportunity Information: Apply for F17AS00209
The grant opportunity titled "Modeling effects of CEC exposures on fish populations within the Great Lakes Basin" is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) effort to strengthen understanding of how contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) may affect fish populations in Great Lakes tributaries. The work is funded through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and administered by USFWS Region 3 out of Bloomington, Minnesota. At its core, the project supports the development and application of ecological (population-level) models that can translate measured chemical exposure and biological effects data into predictions about outcomes for fish populations over time, rather than focusing only on individual-level or short-term lab endpoints.
USFWS is looking specifically for an ecological modeler at Ball State University with demonstrated experience using fish and wildlife population models in chemical risk assessment contexts. The modeling component is meant to serve as one tool in a broader "weight-of-evidence" assessment framework that USFWS and its scientific partners have been building since 2010. That long-running collaboration has been investigating whether exposures to CECs in Great Lakes aquatic systems could plausibly contribute to measurable impacts on fish populations. In practice, this means population modeling will be used to connect field and laboratory observations of contaminant effects to population metrics that managers care about, such as recruitment, survival, age structure, and longer-term population trajectories.
This is not an open, competitive funding opportunity. The notice functions as an intent to make a single-source cooperative agreement award (opportunity number F17AS00209) directly to Ball State University without competition, citing Department of the Interior justification authorities (505 DM 2.14.B.2 and 4). The stated rationale is that competition is not practical because the intended recipient is uniquely qualified for the specific technical needs of the project, particularly expertise in fish population modeling with an emphasis on sturgeon modeling in relation to environmental toxicity. USFWS also notes that Ball State has already been briefed on the project goals, that the work aligns with the university lab's objectives, and that the recipient has prior collaborations and established working relationships with other members of the research team, reducing start-up friction and supporting timely delivery.
The award is structured as a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant, which signals that USFWS expects to be substantially involved in the work. USFWS will contribute directly by providing field and laboratory CEC effects datasets collected during previous years of studies for incorporation into model development. The agency will also support a postdoctoral researcher associated with the project, provide technical and expert input on model formulation and performance, maintain open exchange of data between USFWS and the Ball State postdoc, and participate in reviewing publications produced from the effort. This level of involvement is intended to ensure the models are built using the best available agency data, are aligned with management and assessment needs, and remain consistent with the broader Great Lakes CEC research program.
Administratively, the opportunity sits in the discretionary funding category and uses the cooperative agreement instrument type, with activity categories tied to environment, information and statistics, and natural resources. The CFDA listing is 15.662, the expected number of awards is one, and the award ceiling is $117,371. The posting date is July 20, 2017, and the notice explicitly states there is no application or closing date because it is an intent to award to a named recipient rather than a solicitation open to other applicants.Apply for F17AS00209
- The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment, information and statistics, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Modeling effects of CEC exposures on fish populations within the Great Lakes Basin" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.662.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 20, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by There is not an application process for this funding opportunity. This is a notice of intent to award a single source cooperative agreement to the Ball State University under justification 505DM 2.14.B. 2 and 4.. (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 $117,371.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Modeling effects of CEC exposures on fish populations within the Great Lakes Basin."
Which agency is offering and administering this opportunity?
This is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) effort. The notice states it is administered by USFWS Region 3 out of Bloomington, Minnesota.
What is the main purpose of the project?
The project is intended to strengthen understanding of how contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) may affect fish populations in Great Lakes tributaries. The core focus is developing and applying ecological (population-level) models that can translate measured chemical exposure and biological effects data into predictions about fish population outcomes over time.
What are "contaminants of emerging concern (CECs)" in the context of this opportunity?
Within this notice, CECs are described generally as contaminants being studied for their potential effects in Great Lakes aquatic systems. The project is designed to use measured exposure and effects data related to CECs and translate those into population-level predictions.
What kinds of models are supported under this project?
The notice emphasizes ecological or population-level models, specifically models that connect chemical exposure and biological effects data to population outcomes over time rather than focusing only on individual-level or short-term laboratory endpoints.
What management-relevant population metrics are mentioned?
The notice lists population metrics that managers care about, including recruitment, survival, age structure, and longer-term population trajectories.
How does this modeling work fit into the larger scientific approach described in the notice?
The modeling component is described as one tool within a broader "weight-of-evidence" assessment framework that USFWS and scientific partners have been building since 2010. The long-running collaboration has been investigating whether exposures to CECs in Great Lakes aquatic systems could plausibly contribute to measurable impacts on fish populations.
Is this a competitive funding opportunity open to multiple applicants?
No. The notice states this is not an open, competitive funding opportunity. It functions as an intent to make a single-source cooperative agreement award directly to a named recipient without competition.
Who is the intended recipient of the award?
The intended recipient is Ball State University. The notice specifies USFWS is looking for an ecological modeler at Ball State University with demonstrated experience using fish and wildlife population models in chemical risk assessment contexts.
Why is the award being made without competition?
The stated rationale is that competition is not practical because the intended recipient is uniquely qualified for the specific technical needs of the project. The notice highlights expertise in fish population modeling with an emphasis on sturgeon modeling in relation to environmental toxicity. It also notes Ball State has already been briefed on project goals, the work aligns with the university lab's objectives, and existing collaborations reduce start-up time and support timely delivery.
What is the opportunity number listed in the notice?
The notice lists the opportunity number as F17AS00209.
What type of funding instrument will be used?
The award is structured as a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant.
What does the cooperative agreement structure imply about USFWS involvement?
The notice indicates USFWS expects to be substantially involved in the work. Examples of involvement include providing datasets, supporting a postdoctoral researcher associated with the project, giving technical and expert input on model formulation and performance, maintaining open exchange of data between USFWS and the Ball State postdoc, and participating in review of publications produced from the effort.
What specific contributions will USFWS make to support the project?
According to the notice, USFWS will provide field and laboratory CEC effects datasets collected during previous years of studies for incorporation into model development. USFWS will also support a postdoctoral researcher associated with the project, provide technical/expert input on model formulation and performance, maintain open data exchange between USFWS and the Ball State postdoc, and help review publications from the effort.
How will the project use existing data?
The notice states USFWS will provide field and laboratory CEC effects datasets from previous years of studies, and those datasets will be incorporated into model development.
How does this project differ from studies focused only on lab endpoints?
The notice distinguishes this effort by emphasizing population-level modeling that predicts outcomes for fish populations over time, rather than only focusing on individual-level responses or short-term laboratory endpoints.
What is the funding source for this work?
The work is funded through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
What is the CFDA listing for this opportunity?
The CFDA listing provided in the notice is 15.662.
What is the funding category and activity focus areas?
The notice places the opportunity in the discretionary funding category. It also ties activity categories to environment, information and statistics, and natural resources.
How many awards does USFWS expect to make?
The expected number of awards is one.
What is the award ceiling (maximum amount) stated in the notice?
The award ceiling is $117,371.
When was this opportunity posted?
The posting date listed is July 20, 2017.
Is there an application deadline or closing date?
No. The notice explicitly states there is no application or closing date because it is an intent to award to a named recipient rather than a solicitation open to other applicants.
Can organizations other than Ball State University apply for this opportunity?
The notice indicates the award is intended as a single-source cooperative agreement to Ball State University without competition, and it does not provide an open application process for other organizations.
What statutory or policy justification is cited for the single-source approach?
The notice cites Department of the Interior justification authorities 505 DM 2.14.B.2 and 4 as the basis for the noncompetitive, single-source award approach.
What is the geographic or ecosystem focus of the work?
The work focuses on fish populations in Great Lakes tributaries and, more broadly, aquatic systems within the Great Lakes Basin.
What is the practical goal of using population models in this project?
The practical goal described is to connect field and laboratory observations of contaminant effects to population metrics used by managers, enabling predictions about population outcomes over time as part of a broader assessment framework.
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