Statistical Evaluation of Adaptive Management Study Duration

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), through its Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), has released a funding opportunity titled “Statistical Evaluation of Adaptive Management Study Duration” under the announcement number W81EWF-25-SOI-0013. The program is administered through the Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU) and focuses on the ecological restoration of native fish populations in Pool 22 of the Upper Mississippi River (UMR). This initiative supports efforts related to the design and evaluation of a new fish passage structure at Lock and Dam 22, which is intended to restore habitat connectivity disrupted by historical navigation infrastructure. The central objective of the funding opportunity is to perform a rigorous statistical power analysis to determine the sampling effort necessary to detect changes in native fish populations. This analysis will guide the scheduling of adaptive management studies by identifying indicator fish species and quantifying the sample size needed for effective monitoring. The ultimate goal is to inform and optimize the design of future fish passage projects throughout the UMR, thereby supporting long-term conservation and ecological resilience. The funding opportunity is structured into three distinct tasks. Task 1 involves statistical analysis to detect changes in native fish populations and includes identifying indicator species and developing a report with future monitoring recommendations. Task 2 requires collection and evaluation of long-term electrofishing data using stratified random sampling in fiscal year 2026. Task 3, which is optional, mirrors Task 2 but applies to data collection in fiscal year 2027. The total anticipated funding is $169,905 across all tasks, with $58,750 for Task 1, $51,700 for Task 2, and $59,455 for Task 3. The application process follows a two-phase structure. Phase I requires submission of a Statement of Interest (SOI) by 12:00 PM CT on July 26, 2025. Applicants must outline their qualifications, staff expertise, and prior experience in related projects. Those selected in Phase I will be invited to submit a full application by 12:00 PM CT on August 11, 2025. Full proposals must include technical details, budget justifications, data management plans, and certifications. Applications may be submitted either via email or through Grants.gov. Applicants must be registered in SAM (System for Award Management) and provide up-to-date disclosures of current and pending support. Only non-federal members of the Great Rivers CESU are eligible to apply. The cooperative agreement will be 100% funded by USACE, with no cost sharing or matching required. The period of performance is expected to span six months for Task 1 and up to one year for Tasks 2 and 3. Award recipients are required to comply with DoD regulations regarding research involving human subjects and animal use, with explicit prohibitions in place unless prior approvals are obtained. Quarterly and annual reporting requirements include progress, financial, and technical reports, in accordance with 2 CFR 200 standards. The administrative and technical point of contact for this opportunity is Kisha M. Craig, reachable via email at Kisha.M.Craig@usace.army.mil. Questions about Grants.gov submissions can be directed to their helpdesk. This funding opportunity is not recurring or rolling and will not be awarded until applicants receive a signed Notice of Award from an authorized DoD grants officer.

Emphasize fish monitoring experience, CESU partnerships, and ensure SAM.gov registration.