Opportunity Information: Apply for NPS NOIP19AC00266
This grant opportunity, titled "GRRI CESU: Pilot Algal Assessment and Invasive Algae Detection at OZAR" (Funding Opportunity Number NPS NOIP19AC00266), is a National Park Service cooperative agreement focused on surveying algae in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways (ONSR) in southeastern Missouri. The project is designed as a practical, field-and-lab effort that supports park management needs while also building scientific understanding of aquatic ecosystem health, especially how invasive species may be linked to changes in river conditions. A stated emphasis of the work is also student development, meaning the project is meant to strengthen training and workforce experience alongside the research outcomes.
At its core, the project asks a straightforward management and science question: can environmental DNA (eDNA) methods reliably describe algal communities in Ozark flowing waters and serve as an effective screening tool for harmful or invasive algal species? Instead of relying only on traditional visual identification or microscope-based taxonomy, the approach uses DNA traces present in the environment to detect what organisms are present. The pilot nature of the study is important because it is testing whether these molecular methods are accurate and useful enough to inform ongoing monitoring and early detection efforts in the park.
The work plan involves sampling up to 20 sites across both main river stems and tributaries within ONSR during the summer 2019 field season. The sampling locations are not random; they are intended to be co-located with existing National Park Service monitoring stations used by the Heartland Inventory and Monitoring Network. This alignment matters because it allows the eDNA results to be interpreted alongside established habitat and biological datasets, making the findings more directly comparable and potentially more useful for long-term trend analysis.
Field methods are described in a quality-focused way, reflecting the sensitivity of eDNA studies to contamination and handling differences. The recipient is expected to follow DNA field protocols that had recently been tested in Ozark streams, including use of replicates, field blanks, filtration procedures, quality control steps, and proper storage methods. These details signal that the project is not just about collecting samples, but about producing defensible data that can stand up to scientific review and be trusted for management decisions such as invasive species alerts.
After field sampling, the laboratory phase is scheduled for fall 2019 through winter 2020. The lab workflow includes DNA extraction, PCR-based library preparation, and next-generation sequencing (NGS). The sequencing output is then processed through metabarcoding analysis, which includes data cleaning and quality filtering followed by taxonomy-supervised classification, essentially converting raw DNA reads into identified algal taxa. The analysis phase also includes multivariate statistical techniques to compare algal community composition among sites and to relate observed community patterns to abiotic habitat conditions. In practical terms, that means the project is not only producing a list of species, but also examining how algae assemblages vary across the river system and what environmental factors may be associated with those differences.
Deliverables are clearly defined. The recipient must provide eDNA-derived species lists for each monitoring site and submit a report summarizing all field activities and analytical results within 90 days after the project termination date. The opportunity also notes the possibility of producing a scientific manuscript for journal publication after the project, suggesting that the National Park Service is interested in outcomes that can contribute to peer-reviewed literature, not just internal reporting.
In terms of administrative details, this is a discretionary funding opportunity offered by the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, using a cooperative agreement instrument. Eligible applicants are limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, reflecting the CESU partnership model and the student development component. The program is listed under CFDA 15.945. The opportunity was created on May 21, 2019, with an original closing date of May 31, 2019. Funding is relatively small and clearly pilot-scale, with an award ceiling of $25,000 and an expectation of a single award, indicating the agency was seeking one institution to carry out a focused, time-bounded study rather than funding multiple parallel projects.Apply for NPS NOIP19AC00266
- The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the education, employment, labor and training, environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "GRRI CESU:Pilot Algal Assessment and Invasive Algae Detection at OZAR" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.945.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 21, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 31, 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 $25,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "GRRI CESU: Pilot Algal Assessment and Invasive Algae Detection at OZAR."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is NPS NOIP19AC00266.
Which federal agency is offering this funding?
The funding is offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS).
What type of award instrument is being used?
This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement instrument.
Is this a discretionary or mandatory funding opportunity?
It is a discretionary funding opportunity.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The program is listed under CFDA 15.945.
Where will the project work take place?
The work is focused on the Ozark National Scenic Riverways (ONSR) in southeastern Missouri.
What is the main purpose of the project?
The project is a pilot effort to survey algae in flowing waters at ONSR and to evaluate whether environmental DNA (eDNA) methods can reliably describe algal communities and serve as a screening tool for harmful or invasive algal species.
What management or science question is the project trying to answer?
The stated core question is whether eDNA methods can accurately characterize algal communities in Ozark flowing waters and be useful for early detection or screening of harmful or invasive algae.
Why does the opportunity emphasize that this is a pilot study?
Because the project is specifically testing whether molecular (eDNA/metabarcoding) methods are accurate and useful enough to inform ongoing monitoring and early detection efforts, rather than assuming they are ready to replace or fully stand in for traditional approaches.
How many sites are expected to be sampled?
The work plan calls for sampling up to 20 sites.
What kinds of waterbodies will be sampled?
Sampling is expected across both main river stems and tributaries within ONSR.
When is the field sampling planned to occur?
Field sampling is planned for the summer 2019 field season.
Are sampling locations selected randomly?
No. The sites are intended to be co-located with existing National Park Service monitoring stations used by the Heartland Inventory and Monitoring Network.
Why does co-locating sites with existing NPS monitoring stations matter?
Co-location allows eDNA results to be interpreted alongside established habitat and biological datasets, making the findings more directly comparable and potentially more useful for long-term trend analysis.
What field methods or quality controls are expected for eDNA sampling?
The recipient is expected to follow DNA field protocols that were recently tested in Ozark streams, including replicates, field blanks, filtration procedures, quality control steps, and proper storage methods to reduce contamination and handling-related bias.
Why is contamination control highlighted for this project?
Because eDNA methods are sensitive to contamination and handling differences, and the opportunity emphasizes producing defensible data suitable for scientific review and management decisions such as invasive species alerts.
What laboratory work is included in the project?
The lab phase includes DNA extraction, PCR-based library preparation, and next-generation sequencing (NGS).
What is metabarcoding analysis in the context of this project?
Metabarcoding analysis refers to processing the sequencing output through data cleaning and quality filtering, followed by taxonomy-supervised classification to translate DNA sequence reads into identified algal taxa.
When is the laboratory and analysis phase expected to occur?
The lab phase is scheduled for fall 2019 through winter 2020.
What kinds of analyses are expected beyond generating species lists?
The analysis includes multivariate statistical techniques to compare algal community composition among sites and to relate community patterns to abiotic habitat conditions.
What are the required deliverables?
Deliverables include eDNA-derived species lists for each monitoring site and a report summarizing all field activities and analytical results.
When is the final report due?
The report is due within 90 days after the project termination date.
Is publication in a scientific journal part of the project requirements?
The opportunity notes the possibility of producing a scientific manuscript for journal publication after the project, indicating interest in peer-reviewed outcomes, but it is described as a possibility rather than a stated required deliverable.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education.
Why are universities the eligible applicants for this opportunity?
The eligibility limitation reflects the CESU partnership model and the opportunitys emphasis on student development and workforce experience alongside research outcomes.
Does the project include a student development component?
Yes. A stated emphasis is student development, meaning the project is intended to strengthen training and workforce experience while producing the research and monitoring-relevant results.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $25,000.
How many awards does the agency expect to make?
The opportunity indicates an expectation of a single award.
What does the stated award size suggest about the scope of work?
It suggests a small, pilot-scale project intended to be focused and time-bounded, rather than a large multi-year or multi-institution program.
When was the opportunity created and when did it close?
The opportunity was created on May 21, 2019, and the original closing date was May 31, 2019.
What park management needs does this project support?
It supports monitoring and management by evaluating eDNA as a tool for describing algal communities and screening for harmful or invasive algae, with an eye toward providing reliable information that could inform monitoring and early detection within the park.
What specific outputs will park managers receive from this work?
Managers will receive eDNA-derived species lists for each monitoring site and a summary report describing field activities and analytical results, with the potential for additional peer-reviewed publication after project completion.
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