Opportunity Information: Apply for USGS 19 FA 0206
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), within the Department of the Interior, offered a discretionary funding opportunity titled "Soundscapes and Auditory Evoked Potentials to Inform Acoustic Deterrents for Bigheaded Carp" (Funding Opportunity Number: USGS 19 FA 0206). The award was structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the project was expected to involve active collaboration between the recipient and the USGS rather than functioning as a hands-off grant. The program sits in the natural resources activity category under CFDA 15.808, and it was limited in eligibility to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education.
The project’s central purpose was to support research that can inform the development of acoustic deterrents aimed at bigheaded carp, a group of invasive fish that includes species such as bighead carp and silver carp. Instead of focusing only on how carp respond to sound, the opportunity emphasizes building the foundational scientific information needed to design deterrent systems that are both effective and responsible, particularly in waterways where native fish species could be unintentionally affected by sound-based interventions.
Two main research objectives are highlighted. First, in year one, the project was to assess hearing sensitivity in native species of concern, specifically Freshwater Drum and Bigmouth Buffalo. This portion of the work points to the need to understand what frequencies and sound levels these native fish can detect so that any future deterrent signals can be designed to minimize negative impacts on non-target species. The opportunity explicitly references the use of auditory evoked potentials, a common physiological technique used to estimate hearing thresholds by measuring neural responses to sound. In practical terms, this type of testing can help map the auditory range of the fish and identify where native species may be most vulnerable or most tolerant to certain acoustic conditions.
Second, the project was to evaluate the ambient soundscape at a specific location on the Mississippi River, Lock and Dam 19, as a potential site for acoustic deterrent development. Soundscape assessment focuses on characterizing the existing background noise environment, including both natural sounds (such as flow turbulence, weather-related noise, and biological sounds) and human-made sounds (such as vessel traffic, machinery, and dam operations). Understanding the baseline acoustic environment at Lock and Dam 19 matters because any deterrent signal would need to stand out against that background to be detectable by fish, and because high ambient noise could limit deterrent performance or require different signal designs.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity was created on June 7, 2019, with an original closing date of June 20, 2019, indicating a short application window. The anticipated funding level was modest and targeted, with an award ceiling of $99,298 and an expectation of one award. Taken together, these details suggest the USGS was seeking a single university partner to carry out a focused research effort that combines controlled laboratory-style hearing assessments of key native fish with real-world, site-specific acoustic measurements at a major river infrastructure location. The intended end value of the work is actionable data that can guide the design and deployment of acoustic deterrent technologies for invasive carp while accounting for ecological tradeoffs and protecting native species.Apply for USGS 19 FA 0206
- The Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Soundscapes and Auditory Evoked Potentials to Inform Acoustic Deterrents for Bigheaded Carp" 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 Jun 07, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 20, 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 $99,298.00 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 (FAQs)
What is the title of this USGS funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "Soundscapes and Auditory Evoked Potentials to Inform Acoustic Deterrents for Bigheaded Carp."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USGS 19 FA 0206.
Which federal agency offered this opportunity?
The opportunity was offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) within the Department of the Interior.
What type of award was this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
This award was structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the project was expected to involve active collaboration between the recipient and USGS rather than operating as a hands-off grant.
What is the CFDA number and program category?
The opportunity falls under CFDA 15.808 and is categorized under the natural resources activity category.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education.
What was the main purpose of the project?
The central purpose was to support research that can inform the development of acoustic deterrents aimed at bigheaded carp (including bighead carp and silver carp), with an emphasis on generating foundational scientific information needed to design deterrent systems that are effective and responsible in waterways where native fish could be unintentionally affected.
Which invasive species group was the project focused on?
The project focused on bigheaded carp, a group of invasive fish that includes species such as bighead carp and silver carp.
Why does the opportunity emphasize native fish and non-target impacts?
The opportunity emphasizes designing deterrents that account for ecological tradeoffs, specifically to reduce the risk that sound-based interventions could unintentionally affect native fish species in the same waterways.
What were the two main research objectives?
The opportunity highlighted two main objectives: (1) assess hearing sensitivity in certain native fish species in year one, and (2) evaluate the ambient soundscape at a Mississippi River location (Lock and Dam 19) as a potential site for acoustic deterrent development.
Which native fish species were specifically named for hearing sensitivity assessment?
The native species of concern named for hearing sensitivity assessment were Freshwater Drum and Bigmouth Buffalo.
What does "hearing sensitivity" mean in the context of this project?
In this context, hearing sensitivity refers to understanding what frequencies and sound levels the fish can detect. This information can be used to help design deterrent signals that minimize negative impacts on non-target native species.
What method was referenced for estimating fish hearing thresholds?
The opportunity explicitly referenced auditory evoked potentials, a physiological technique used to estimate hearing thresholds by measuring neural responses to sound.
How would auditory evoked potentials help with deterrent design?
Auditory evoked potential testing can help map the auditory range of fish and identify frequencies or sound levels where native species may be more vulnerable or more tolerant, supporting deterrent signal design that is more selective and responsible.
What location was identified for the soundscape evaluation?
The soundscape evaluation was to be conducted at Lock and Dam 19 on the Mississippi River.
What is a "soundscape assessment" in this opportunity?
A soundscape assessment involves characterizing the existing background noise environment at a site, including both natural sounds (for example, flow turbulence, weather-related noise, and biological sounds) and human-made sounds (for example, vessel traffic, machinery, and dam operations).
Why does the baseline soundscape at Lock and Dam 19 matter for acoustic deterrents?
Understanding baseline conditions matters because any deterrent signal would need to be detectable by fish against that background noise. High ambient noise could limit deterrent performance or require different signal designs.
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on June 7, 2019.
What was the closing date for applications?
The original closing date was June 20, 2019, indicating a short application window.
What was the maximum (ceiling) award amount?
The award ceiling was $99,298.
How many awards were expected to be made?
USGS expected to make one award.
What kind of partner was USGS likely seeking?
Based on the stated eligibility and the expectation of one award, USGS was seeking a single public or state-controlled university partner to conduct a focused research effort combining hearing assessments of native fish with site-specific soundscape measurements.
What is the intended end value or outcome of the work?
The intended outcome is actionable data that can guide the design and deployment of acoustic deterrent technologies for invasive bigheaded carp while accounting for ecological tradeoffs and protecting native species.
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