The Oyster Pads and Wave Trip at Long Bird Island, Houston Ship Channel funding opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of Defense through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Fort Worth District. This initiative is part of the Department’s broader mission to support scientific research and development activities that contribute to the conservation and rehabilitation of natural resources on military installations. The grant is offered under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 4001, aligning with federal efforts to engage academic and research partners through Cooperative Ecosystem Study Units (CESUs).
The objective of this funding opportunity is to identify qualified research investigators to undertake a study concerning oyster pads and wave trip systems in the Houston Ship Channel area, specifically at Long Bird Island. These ecological and structural interventions are intended to enhance coastal resilience and habitat restoration. The funding supports research that advances the understanding of ecological and hydrodynamic interactions in a military-relevant context, potentially contributing to long-term environmental stewardship in DoD-controlled environments.
A single cooperative agreement will be awarded, with an estimated base period budget of $100,000. Optional follow-on tasks and multi-year extensions—up to four additional 12-month periods—may be funded depending on the availability of resources. While detailed project specifications are included in the attached Statement of Objectives (SOO), applicants are currently not required to submit full study proposals or comprehensive budgets with their initial Statement of Interest (SOI).
Eligibility for this opportunity is strictly limited to members of CESUs within the Gulf Coast, Desert Southwest, and Great Plains Units. This restriction ensures alignment with the collaborative framework and objectives of the CESU Network, which is designed to leverage scientific expertise in addressing federal resource management issues. The program does not require cost sharing or matching contributions from applicants.
Applicants must submit Statements of Interest via Grants.gov by January 5, 2026. The funding opportunity was published on December 4, 2025, and will remain open for a 30-day period. Statements will be reviewed based on technical merit and relevance to USACE missions. Direct inquiries should be sent to Maria Lopez, Grants Specialist (maria.e.lopez@usace.army.mil; 817-886-1881) or Emily Woodruff, Project Manager (emily.t.woodruff@usace.army.mil; 417-213-3245). Following review, select applicants will be invited to submit full proposals. If funded, the project’s base period will run for 12 months from the award date, with the possibility of continuation.
