Interior Least Tern Monitoring on the McClellan Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System in the Little Rock Corps District

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), through its Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), has issued a funding opportunity for Interior Least Tern (ILT) Monitoring on the McClellan Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS) within the Little Rock Corps District. The primary goal of this grant is to continue and expand conservation monitoring efforts for the Interior Least Tern, a bird species previously listed as endangered due to habitat loss and degradation caused by water resource development projects. Though the species was removed from the endangered species list in 2021, monitoring and restoration efforts are to be sustained under the 2019 Southwestern Division Conservation Plan and agreements made with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This cooperative agreement opportunity is designed to support research and conservation monitoring focused on ILT colonies along the Arkansas River, from Fort Smith to the Mississippi River, including rooftop colonies within the Arkansas River Valley. The research will involve breeding season surveys, nest monitoring, habitat assessment, and documentation of species trends across multiple colony locations. These efforts are essential for tracking ecological health, informing future conservation strategies, and maintaining compliance with environmental stewardship responsibilities outlined by federal authorities. The total anticipated funding under this opportunity is $240,000 over five years, with $48,000 allocated annually. One cooperative agreement award is expected, although the government reserves the right to adjust this depending on the quality and quantity of submissions. The award type is a Cooperative Agreement, which includes substantial involvement from the Little Rock District through site access, technical meetings, and data distribution support. The anticipated period of performance is five years, and no cost-sharing or matching funds are required for applicants. Only non-federal partners of the Great Rivers or Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Units (CESU) are eligible to apply. Applications must follow a two-phase process: Phase I requires the submission of a two-page Statement of Interest (SOI) due by 1:00 PM CT on July 25, 2025. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal for Phase II, which must be received by 1:00 PM CT on August 13, 2025. Required documents include a technical proposal, budget, biographical sketches, and a detailed data management plan aligned with Department of Defense standards. Applications must comply with all applicable federal regulations including 2 CFR 200 and 2 CFR 1100, as well as DoD-specific terms and policies concerning human subjects, animal use, and environmental standards. Applications must be submitted either via email or through Grants.gov, and entities must have active SAM registrations. Required reporting includes quarterly financial reports, annual performance reports, and other documentation based on award specifics. For further inquiries, applicants may contact Phoebe Fuller at phoebe.v.fuller@usace.army.mil or Stacy Thurman at stacy.d.thurman@usace.army.mil. All applications and related inquiries must adhere strictly to the specified timelines, content, and submission protocols to be considered for funding.