Oyster Larval Transport/Hydrodynamic Modeling for the Herring Bay Sanctuary, Maryland

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), through the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), has issued a funding opportunity titled "Oyster Larval Transport/Hydrodynamic Modeling for the Herring Bay Sanctuary, Maryland" under the Funding Opportunity Number W81EWF-25-SOI-0008. This grant supports a one-time initiative to model oyster larval transport and hydrodynamics in the Herring Bay Sanctuary to inform restoration planning efforts. The sanctuary, located along the western shoreline of the middle Chesapeake Bay, covers approximately 16,792 acres, nearly half of which represents historic oyster bottom or Yates Bars. These areas are under consideration for ecological restoration due to historic losses from overharvesting, habitat degradation, and disease. ERDC aims to gather scientific data to identify source and sink reef dynamics and support future restoration work in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). The program stems from the Chesapeake Bay Agreement 2014, which targeted restoration of oysters in ten tributary rivers, five in Maryland and five in Virginia. As this goal nears completion in 2025, attention is shifting to other restoration sites, including Herring Bay. The proposed research will involve bio-physical modeling to simulate oyster larval transport and assess metapopulation dynamics within and surrounding the sanctuary. This modeling will help identify self-sustaining reefs and areas critical to regional larval dispersal. Findings will guide the development of a multi-phase restoration strategy, with potential benefits extending to nearby wild harvest grounds. The funding ceiling for this opportunity is $115,000, with an anticipated single award in the same amount. The award will be structured as a cooperative agreement with an 18-month period of performance. USACE will maintain substantial involvement, including assistance in experimental design, provision of site data, and co-authorship of peer-reviewed publications resulting from the study. The results are expected to provide broader ecological and societal benefits, including water quality improvement, sediment stabilization, enhanced habitats for aquatic species, and replication potential for other large-scale, mainstem oyster restoration initiatives. Applicants must be non-federal partners of the Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU). The submission process consists of two phases. Phase I requires a Statement of Interest (SOI), limited to two pages, submitted via email by 2:00 PM Central Time on July 18, 2025. SOIs must include organizational details, qualifications, relevant past work, available personnel, and research capabilities. Selected applicants will be invited to Phase II, which requires a full application, including a technical proposal, budget, and data management plan, due by 2:00 PM Central Time on August 6, 2025. Full proposals must follow detailed guidelines, including disclosure of current and pending support, IRB documentation if involving human subjects, and certifications as required under various federal regulations. The program explicitly prohibits the use of animals in research and mandates compliance with environmental and administrative rules. Funding is fully covered by USACE and does not require cost sharing or matching funds from applicants. Applications will be evaluated on the technical merit of the research, its alignment with Department of Defense priorities, and the realism of the proposed costs. Final award decisions are subject to the availability of funds and agency discretion. The points of contact for this opportunity are Stacy Thurman (Stacy.D.Thurman@usace.army.mil) and Zavien Beal (Zavien.T.Beal@usace.army.mil). All application documents must be submitted by email or through Grants.gov, and applicants must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).

Include only requested materials in SOI; adhere strictly to email deadline and formatting; ensure CESU eligibility.