Science Priorities - Investigating genetic diversity and the effects of hydrologic alteration on freshwater mussels in Texas | F18AS00212

Opportunity Information: Apply for F18AS00212

The funding opportunity titled "Science Priorities - Investigating genetic diversity and the effects of hydrologic alteration on freshwater mussels in Texas" (Funding Opportunity Number F18AS00212) is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service research-focused grant under the Department of the Interior. It is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning the agency expects to have an active role in the supported work rather than simply issuing funds and stepping back. The program sits in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category (CFDA 15.678) and is aimed at generating practical scientific results that can be used in on-the-ground species conservation planning in Texas.

At its core, the opportunity supports original research on selected species of Texas freshwater mussels. The main purpose is to strengthen and refine ongoing captive propagation efforts and to provide better scientific footing for potential future reintroduction projects. In practice, that means the research is expected to answer questions that directly affect how mussels are collected for broodstock, how genetic diversity is maintained in captivity, and how managers decide where and how reintroductions might succeed. A central theme is genetic diversity: applicants are expected to investigate genetic structure and variation in priority mussel species so conservation programs can avoid problems like inbreeding, loss of locally adapted lineages, or mixing populations in ways that could reduce long-term resilience.

A second major emphasis is understanding the effects of hydrologic alteration in priority Texas watersheds. Hydrologic alteration can include changes in the timing, magnitude, and variability of streamflows caused by reservoirs, diversions, groundwater pumping, urbanization, drought management, and other watershed modifications. The grant is framed around assessing hydrologic trends and linking them to habitat changes that matter for mussels and other aquatic species of conservation concern. Because freshwater mussels depend on stable substrates, suitable flow conditions, water quality, and host fish interactions, shifts in flow regime can affect survival, reproduction, recruitment, and the ability of mussel beds to persist over time. The opportunity is therefore positioned to support studies that connect altered flow patterns to physical habitat changes (like sedimentation, channel instability, or loss of refugia) and to biological outcomes for sensitive aquatic communities.

Funding is relatively small and targeted: the award ceiling is $125,000, and the agency anticipated making about two awards. The timing was also tight in the original announcement, with a creation date of June 29, 2018 and an original closing date of July 5, 2018, indicating a short application window and a focused, priority-driven solicitation. Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning a wide range of entities could apply (such as universities, nonprofits, state or local agencies, or other organizations), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications that may have been included in the full notice.

Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a conservation science investment designed to produce actionable information for Texas freshwater mussel recovery work. It prioritizes research that can directly inform captive breeding and reintroduction decision-making through genetic analyses, while also improving understanding of how human-driven changes to hydrology and habitat in key watersheds influence mussels and other aquatic species that are already under conservation pressure.

• The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Science Priorities - Investigating genetic diversity and the effects of hydrologic alteration on freshwater mussels in Texas" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.678.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jun 29, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 05, 2018. (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 $125,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

Apply for F18AS00212

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: