15.608 Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance | F19AS00274

Opportunity Information: Apply for F19AS00274

This grant opportunity (CFDA 15.608, Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance) is a discretionary cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. It focuses on a practical invasive species problem in Alaska: improving how agencies detect aquatic invasive plants, especially Elodea, which is described as Alaska's first aquatic invasive plant. The core issue driving the project is that invasive species can outcompete native fish and wildlife and degrade habitat, and once they become established they are often difficult and expensive to control. Because of that, early detection and consistent monitoring are treated as high priorities.

The main purpose of the award is to support the University of Alaska Anchorage, Institute of Social and Economic Research (UAA-ISER), in developing standardized survey protocols that can reliably determine the presence or absence of Elodea (and potentially other aquatic invasive plants) in Alaska waters. The opportunity highlights that detecting aquatic plants is inherently challenging and that inconsistent methods can lead to inconsistent results. Agencies may survey at different times of year, with different levels of effort, different equipment and funding, and varying staff experience. Water conditions can also affect what can be observed. All of those variables can cause one organization to report an infestation while another misses it, or produce data that cannot be compared across locations and years.

A key project objective is to create and field-test a standardized surveillance protocol specifically for moving water systems in Alaska, such as rivers and streams, where detection can be more complicated than in still water. The intention is not just to write guidance on paper, but to work through a development process with partners and test the approach in real field conditions so the protocol is practical, repeatable, and suitable for statewide adoption. By bringing multiple partners onto the same page, the project aims to improve the quality and comparability of early detection surveys and reduce wasted effort caused by mismatched approaches.

The expected outcome is better coordination and stronger return on existing investments Alaska is already making in early detection. With a standard protocol, survey data collected by state agencies, federal agencies, and partners can be interpreted consistently, making it easier to prioritize management actions, identify emerging infestations earlier, and track changes over time. In short, the grant is designed to strengthen Alaska's statewide invasive aquatic plant surveillance by creating a single, tested playbook for detection work in moving waters.

Administratively, the opportunity number is F19AS00274. It was posted June 26, 2019, with an original closing date of July 15, 2019. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, meaning the Fish and Wildlife Service expects to have substantial involvement during the project rather than simply issuing a grant and stepping back. The award ceiling is $60,000, and one award was expected. Eligibility is limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, aligning with the selection of the University of Alaska Anchorage as the implementing institution.

• The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment, natural resources, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "15.608 Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.608.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jun 26, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 15, 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 $60,000.00 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.

Apply for F19AS00274

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