U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Offering Grant for White-nose Syndrome Research and Bat Conservation

Before submitting a proposal for White-nose syndrome (WNS) funds, please carefully review all the information and instructions associated with this request.

Background

First documented in New York State in the winter of 2006-2007, WNS refers to a disease responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of bats in the northeastern United States. WNS has been observed in at least 65 bat hibernacula in New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia and is characterized by: the presence of a white fungal growth on the muzzle, wings, and other body surfaces; atypical winter behaviors, including shifts from regular roost locations and daytime outdoor flights; mass mortality events and/or unexplained population declines at hibernacula; and damage to wing membranes evident through mid-summer. Additional information on WNS can be found at: http://www.fws.gov/northeast/white_nose.html

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is currently funding a number of projects related directly to the investigation and management of WNS, and is pleased to announce the opportunity to fund a new round of projects in FY2009. Projects should assist the Service with our ability to conserve Federally-listed bats (e.g., Indiana bats, Virginia big-eared bats, and gray bats). However, surrogate species can, and often should, be used in investigations. (For details of several currently funded projects, please see: http://www.fws.gov/northeast/white_nose.html)

FY2009 Priorities

Through this request, we intend to fund research that addresses the following questions:

1. What specifically is causing bat mortality? Related questions include:
a. What is the role of the fungus (Geomyces sp.) in the observed mortalities?
b. How do the conditions associated with WNS (e.g. aberrant behavior, apparently altered body condition, physiology, and/or immune response, etc.) relate to mortality and what is their underlying cause?
2. Is WNS transmissible outside of hibernacula (e.g. in summer colonies, during breeding, etc, or to bat species that don’t use caves/mines)? If transmissible, by what means?
3. Can WNS be treated or controlled?
4. Are there differences in susceptibility by bat species or individuals that influence survival?

We are also interested in projects that will assist the Service with:

1. Developing successful containment strategies for WNS.
2. Determining the effects of WNS on bat populations.
3. Developing WNS monitoring and surveillance strategies.
4. Identifying rapid assessment protocols to determine whether sites or bats are affected by WNS.
5. Determining the feasibility of captive propagation for insectivorous bats; the species of most immediate concern is the Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus).
6. Determining the role of captive management/rehabilitation as a response to WNS.

We anticipate making project selections by September 4, 2009 and the earliest start date for funded projects to start is likely September 30, 2009.

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

Projects must be completed by September 30, 2011 (1-2 year projects).

Projects must be coordinated with appropriate state natural resource agency(ies) regarding the scope and implementation, ideally prior to submission.

Applicants must procure all necessary Federal and/or State permits for the proposed project, if funded.

Applicants must obtain a Dun & Bradstreet (DUNS) number and register at http://www.ccr.gov if proposal is selected.

Applicants must be willing to work in a collaborative manner and share results with other involved labs. Data sharing requirements will be spelled out in each approved scope of work.

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

The following questions and concerns must be addressed in each project proposal:

1) How will this project meet an identified FY2009 WNS priority?
2) What are the objectives of this project? (objectives should be written as outcome oriented and measurable). What are the measureable outcomes of the project?
3) What activities or actions will this project undertake to achieve the stated objectives?
4) What is the timeline for project activities?
5) Provide budget details, including an estimate of partnership and other matching funds, including the source (please note that there is no required match).
6) What are the conservation implications if this project is not funded in FY2009-10?
7) Summarize the most important strength of your proposal in the last paragraph.
8) Include a brief statement of relevant qualifications of the Primary Investigator, partner organizations, and most important team members.
9) In what way(s) does this project address threats to Federally-listed bat species?

Project rank will be based upon how closely the project meets the FY2009 priorities addressed in this RFP, the timeliness of the proposed work, and over-all contribution to the WNS response effort. While not a requirement, the use of matching funds and partnerships to augment project resources is encouraged, and will be considered in the ranking process. All applicants will be notified of the final disposition of their proposal, irrespective of selection status.

Before submitting a proposal for White-nose syndrome (WNS) funds, please carefully review all the information and instructions associated with this request.

Background

First documented in New York State in the winter of 2006-2007, WNS refers to a disease responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of bats in the northeastern United States. WNS has been observed in at least 65 bat hibernacula in New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia and is characterized by: the presence of a white fungal growth on the muzzle, wings, and other body surfaces; atypical winter behaviors, including shifts from regular roost locations and daytime outdoor flights; mass mortality events and/or unexplained population declines at hibernacula; and damage to wing membranes evident through mid-summer. Additional information on WNS can be found at: http://www.fws.gov/northeast/white_nose.html

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is currently funding a number of projects related directly to the investigation and management of WNS, and is pleased to announce the opportunity to fund a new round of projects in FY2009. Projects should assist the Service with our ability to conserve Federally-listed bats (e.g., Indiana bats, Virginia big-eared bats, and gray bats). However, surrogate species can, and often should, be used in investigations. (For details of several currently funded projects, please see: http://www.fws.gov/northeast/white_nose.html)

FY2009 Priorities

Through this request, we intend to fund research that addresses the following questions:

1. What specifically is causing bat mortality? Related questions include:
a. What is the role of the fungus (Geomyces sp.) in the observed mortalities?
b. How do the conditions associated with WNS (e.g. aberrant behavior, apparently altered body condition, physiology, and/or immune response, etc.) relate to mortality and what is their underlying cause?
2. Is WNS transmissible outside of hibernacula (e.g. in summer colonies, during breeding, etc, or to bat species that don’t use caves/mines)? If transmissible, by what means?
3. Can WNS be treated or controlled?
4. Are there differences in susceptibility by bat species or individuals that influence survival?

We are also interested in projects that will assist the Service with:

1. Developing successful containment strategies for WNS.
2. Determining the effects of WNS on bat populations.
3. Developing WNS monitoring and surveillance strategies.
4. Identifying rapid assessment protocols to determine whether sites or bats are affected by WNS.
5. Determining the feasibility of captive propagation for insectivorous bats; the species of most immediate concern is the Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus).
6. Determining the role of captive management/rehabilitation as a response to WNS.

We anticipate making project selections by September 4, 2009 and the earliest start date for funded projects to start is likely September 30, 2009.

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

Projects must be completed by September 30, 2011 (1-2 year projects).

Projects must be coordinated with appropriate state natural resource agency(ies) regarding the scope and implementation, ideally prior to submission.

Applicants must procure all necessary Federal and/or State permits for the proposed project, if funded.

Applicants must obtain a Dun & Bradstreet (DUNS) number and register at http://www.ccr.gov if proposal is selected.

Applicants must be willing to work in a collaborative manner and share results with other involved labs. Data sharing requirements will be spelled out in each approved scope of work.

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

The following questions and concerns must be addressed in each project proposal:

1) How will this project meet an identified FY2009 WNS priority?
2) What are the objectives of this project? (objectives should be written as outcome oriented and measurable). What are the measureable outcomes of the project?
3) What activities or actions will this project undertake to achieve the stated objectives?
4) What is the timeline for project activities?
5) Provide budget details, including an estimate of partnership and other matching funds, including the source (please note that there is no required match).
6) What are the conservation implications if this project is not funded in FY2009-10?
7) Summarize the most important strength of your proposal in the last paragraph.
8) Include a brief statement of relevant qualifications of the Primary Investigator, partner organizations, and most important team members.
9) In what way(s) does this project address threats to Federally-listed bat species?

Project rank will be based upon how closely the project meets the FY2009 priorities addressed in this RFP, the timeliness of the proposed work, and over-all contribution to the WNS response effort. While not a requirement, the use of matching funds and partnerships to augment project resources is encouraged, and will be considered in the ranking process. All applicants will be notified of the final disposition of their proposal, irrespective of selection status.