OARS funding Conservation

While the fund recognizes and supports the critical importance of ex-situ efforts such as endangered species breeding programs and conservation awareness/education, its primary focus is to support conservation efforts directly benefiting wildlife in their native ranges (in situ). For this reason, the fund is unable to help underwrite the captive breeding efforts of other animal management facilities. However, the fund will consider ex-situ conservation education proposals that demonstrate significant positive and sustainable impact.

The new National Ocean Policy calls for actions to improve understanding of and capacity to respond to ocean acidification, recognizing the potential adverse impacts of an acidifying sea upon marine ecosystems. The effects of ocean acidification could significantly affect strategies for developing practices towards the sustainability of ocean resources. Basic research concerning the nature, extent and impact of ocean acidification on oceanic environments in the past, present and future is required. Research challenges include: Understanding the geochemistry and biogeochemistry of ocean acidification; Understanding how ocean acidification interacts with biological, chemical and physical processes at the organismal level, and how such interactions impact the structure and function of ecosystems, e.g. through life histories, adaptive evolution, food webs, biogeochemical cycling, and interactions with other changes in the ocean (e.g., temperature, stratification, circulation patterns); and Understanding how the earth system history informs our understanding of the effects of ocean acidification on the present day and future ocean. The Ocean Acidification program is in its fifth and anticipated last year of competition. We expect this to be the last solicitation specifically targeting Ocean Acidification.

The AAAS Early Career Award for Public Engagement with Science, established in 2010, recognizes early-career scientists and engineers who demonstrate excellence in their contribution to public engagement with science activities. A monetary prize of $5,000, a commemorative plaque, complimentary registration to the AAAS Annual Meeting, and reimbursement for reasonable hotel and travel expenses to attend the AAAS Annual Meeting to receive the prize are given to the recipient. Nominee must be an early-career scientist or engineer in academia, government or industry actively conducting research in any scientific discipline (including social sciences and medicine).  "Early career" is defined as an individual who has been in his/her current field for less than seven years and pre-tenure or job equivalent. Post-doctoral students are eligible for this award. Nominee will have demonstrated excellence in his/her contribution to public engagement with science activities, with a focus on interactive dialogue between the individual and a non-scientific, public audience(s). Types of public engagement activities might include: informal science education, public outreach, public policy, and/or science communication activities, such as mass media, public dialogue, radio, TV and film, science café, science exhibit, science fair, and social and online media.

To address ecological questions that cannot be resolved with short-term observations or experiments, NSF established the Long Term Ecological Research Program (LTER) in 1980. Three components differentiate LTER research from projects supported by other NSF programs: 1) the research is located at specific sites chosen to represent major ecosystem types or natural biomes; 2) it emphasizes the study of ecological phenomena over long periods of time based on data collected in five core areas; and 3) projects include integrative, cross-site, network-wide research. Ongoing research at LTER sites must test important, current ecological theories and significantly advance understanding of the long-term dynamics of populations, communities and ecosystems. It often integrates multiple disciplines and, through cross-site interactions, examines patterns or processes over broad spatial scales. Recognizing that the value of long-term data extends beyond use at any individual site, NSF requires that data collected by all LTER sites be made broadly accessible.

Awarded in 2010, the objective of Cooperative Agreement (CA) N40080-10-LTC-0006 was to design and construct a wetland cell to provide habitat improvement and treatment of storm water from an approximate 162 acre watershed at Naval Support Facility Dahlgren (NSFDL). Calculations for the final design indicate it should achieve 40-50% of the treatment volume for the watershed. Subsequently in 2012, CA N40080-12-LTC-0005 was awarded to provide supplementary survey, design and construction services related to the construction of the first cell, and to design a complementary, second constructed wetland treatment cell. The goal for the second cell design was to fully integrate with and supplement the initial cell to achieve 100% of the recommended treatment volume for the watershed. This Agreement is for the construction of the final design for the second treatment cell to achieve the storm water treatment capacity needed for the watershed. The overall proposed project will provide both habitat enhancements and water quality benefits for a significant amount of untreated storm water.

Attention veterinarians, lab technicians, animal technicians, and all who work with laboratory animals: The Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) now is accepting proposals for the 2014 Science-based Refinement Awards (formerly the Animal Welfare Enhancement Awards). The focus of these awards is to elicit scientific evidence to support the enhancement of the housing, handling and/or experimental situations for laboratory animals. Studies may, for example, examine: how physiological and behavioral stress responses to common husbandry (e.g., capture) and traditional treatment procedures (e.g., gavage, injection, blood collection) can be reduced or eliminated (e.g., by training the subjects to cooperate rather than resist); whether animals caged at different tier levels show different physiological and behavioral stress responses when being approached by personnel, and how these responses can be minimized or avoided; whether the presence of a compatible companion buffers physiological and behavioral stress responses to experimental situations (e.g., enforced restraint); whether animals kept in legally minimum-sized cages benefit from a moderate increase in space that is (a) empty versus (b) structured in species-appropriate ways (e.g., shelter, visual blind, perch, platform, PVC tube).

The purpose of this Cooperative Agreement (Agreement) is to conduct research at Marine Corps Logistics Base, Barstow, CA, to determine if there is a statistically significant difference in the outcome of twelve (12) 500 m x 500 m plots conducted in the spring versus the fall for the desert tortoise and conduct presence/absence transects at the Yermo Annex Test Track which is approximately 100 acres. This information, collected during a statistically valid research study, will help desert tortoise scientists determine if collecting research data on tortoise plots is better done in the spring or fall. The results of this research could lead to changes in the desert tortoise survey protocol for the southwestern United States. A draft and final report with GIS maps would be the final deliverable.

The purpose of this Agreement is to provide for surveys of nesting Inyo California towhees (Pipilo crissalis eremophilus), a Federally listed threatened species and for in-fill surveys of desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) at the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake (NAWS China Lake) as discussed in the Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) dated September 2000. The Inyo towhee nests on the installation primarily in riparian areas (springs and riparian corridors) on the eastern side of the North Range. Some of these areas are designated as critical habitat for the towhee. Nesting surveys will be focused on selected sites within this area of the installation. The findings of this effort will provide information on nesting bird numbers that will aid in conservation of this species, support the INRMP update, and provide the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with valuable information to aid with a potential delisting of the species. In contrast to towhees, desert tortoises occupy much of the habitat on the installation. Since tortoise densities have not been established for much of this habitat, the focus of this effort would be to begin in-fill surveys of areas that have not been previously surveyed for tortoise and to populate a tortoise tracking database to incorporate annual in-fill surveys and future impromptu or project-specific surveys. These surveys shall follow presence/absence survey protocols established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

EPA is soliciting applications for grants and cooperative agreements to be awarded as part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. EPA will award approximately $9.5 million under this request for applications for about 20 projects, contingent on the availability of appropriations, the quality of applications received and other applicable considerations. This RFA is EPA's major competitive grant funding opportunity under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for fiscal year 2013. It is one of several funding opportunities available through federal agencies under GLRI. Applications are requested for projects within the following four categories: Reducing exposure to toxic substances from fish consumption Invasive species prevention and control Lake Erie Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative Facilitation of Lakewide Action and Management Plan (LAMP) stakeholder forums

The purpose of this project is to protect and restore 59 acres of lowland wet forest in the Lower Limahuli Preserve (LLP) and to conduct rare plant restoration in the ungulate-free Upper Limahuli Preserve (ULP) on the island of Kauai to benefit native plants, birds, and forest invertebrate resources. In the LLP, the restoration effort will entail the installation of approximately 4,100 feet of strategic lineal fencing that will restrict feral pigs from accessing the forest and restoration project area. In the ULP, the restoration effort will involve the establishment and protection of reproducing populations of three PEP species that are declining and considered species at high risk of imminent extinction (HRIE) on approximately 100 acres. The project area is owned by the National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) and they will be providing $13,600 in in-kind contributions for the project. NTBG, a 501(c) (3) institution, is the most appropriate organization to implement this agreement as they own the land and have been a key and leading organization for the collection of endemic Hawaiian propagules and growing endemic Hawaiian plants for the past 20 years. The USFWS will provide Recovery Program funds for this project. This project will benefit the public by maintaining trust resources and Kauai¿s native biodiversity.

To facilitate grizzly bear delisting in the Northern Continential Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) in Montana.

The Gulf Coastal Plains & Ozarks Landscape Conservation Cooperative (GCPO LCC) is a non-regulatory conservation partnership comprised of private, state, and federal organizations and agencies that have come together to collectively define, design, and deliver landscapes capable of sustaining natural and cultural resources at desired levels now and into the future.

AAAS offers fellowships in nine programmatic areas. Specific host offices and assignments vary from year to year. Congressional Diplomacy, Security& Development Energy, Environment & Agriculture Health, Education & Human Services Big Data & Analytics Judicial Branch Roger Revelle Fellowship in Global Stewardship AAAS Overseas Fellowships at USAID Missions (limited eligibility) Global Health & Development Fellowships (limited eligibility)

To enhance the knowledge of bats, birds, and small mammals which reside in the wooded draws.

The Jack Kimmel International Grant Program, championed by the Canadian TREE Fund, honors the late Jack Kimmel who was the former Director of Parks for the City of Toronto. He is remembered for his contribution of 46 years of leadership to the ISA and its Ontario chapter. Jack Kimmel grants provide much needed funding to arboriculture and urban forestry researchers all over the world. This grant is administered by the TREE Fund, with participation from the Canadian TREE Fund in the evaluation process. Projects are expected to be completed within one to three years. Grant award amounts are limited to a maximum of $10,000 and will vary depending upon the adjudged value of the project relative to the needs of the arboriculture community. No project may receive more than one award from this program. Please note that funds cannot be used to pay for overhead expenses or student tuition and fees. Priority Areas The TREE Fund research priority areas are derived from the Revised National Research and Technology Transfer Agenda for Urban and Community Forestry. Proposals in the following priority areas are more likely to be funded, but all proposals will be considered. Root and soil management Plant health care Risk assessment and worker safety Urban forestry

The John Z. Duling Grant Program was established and funded by a bequest from the estate of John Z. Duling of Indiana, who was a strong advocate of research and proposed in 1972 the establishment of the ISA Research Trust. The goal of this program is to provide seed money or partial support for innovative research and technology transfer projects that have the potential of benefiting the everyday work of arborists. It is anticipated that Duling grantees will leverage additional dollars. Projects are expected to be completed within one to three years. Grant award amounts are limited to a maximum of $10,000 and will vary depending upon the adjudged value of the project relative to the needs of the arboriculture community. No project may receive more than one award from this program. Please note that funds cannot be used to pay for overhead expenses or student tuition and fees. Priority Areas: The TREE Fund research priority areas are derived from the Revised National Research and Technology Transfer Agenda for Urban and Community Forestry. Proposals in the following priority areas are more likely to be funded, but all proposals will be considered. Root and soil management Plant health care Risk assessment and worker safety Urban forestry

Established in 1995 to honor one of the leaders in the arboriculture industry and a founder of the ISA Research Trust, the Hyland R. Johns Grant Program funds longer term research and technology transfer projects that have the potential of benefiting the everyday work of arborists. Projects are expected to be completed within three to five years. Grant award amounts range from $7,500 to $25,000 and will vary depending upon the adjudged value of the project relative to the needs of the arboriculture community. No project may receive more than one award from this program. Please note that funds cannot be used to pay for overhead expenses or student tuition and fees. Priority Areas: The TREE Fund research priority areas are derived from the Revised National Research and Technology Transfer Agenda for Urban and Community Forestry. Proposals in the following priority areas are more likely to be funded, but all proposals will be considered. Root and soil management Plant health care Risk assessment and worker safety Urban forestry

The goal of the Tree Research & Education Endowment Fund grant programs is to provide support for research and technology transfer projects that are in keeping with the TREE Fund's mission and priorities as well as addressing topics that have the potential of benefiting the everyday work of arborists. Research Fellowship grants are designed to address a specific topic as defined by the TREE Fund Board of Trustees and to provide support to a young scientist who is being mentored by an established and published scientist. Projects are expected to be completed within three to five years. One $100,000 grant will be awarded annually. No project may receive more than one award from this program. Please note that funds cannot be used to pay for overhead expenses or student tuition and fees. Priority Areas: The TREE Fund research priority areas are derived from the Revised National Research and Technology Transfer Agenda for Urban and Community Forestry. Proposals in the following priority areas are more likely to be funded, but all proposals will be considered. Root and soil management Plant health care Risk assessment and worker safety Urban forestry

This program seeks to enhance and expand the national resource of digital data documenting existing vouchered biological and paleontological collections and to advance scientific knowledge by improving access to digitized information (including images) residing in vouchered scientific collections across the United States. The information associated with various collections of organisms, such as geographic, paleogeographic and stratigraphic??distribution, environmental habitat data, phenology, information about associated organisms, collector field notes, and??tissues and molecular data extracted from the specimens, is a rich resource providing the baseline from which to further biodiversity research and provide critical information about existing gaps in our knowledge of life on earth. The national resource is structured at three levels: a central coordinating organization, a series of thematic networks based on an important research theme, and the physical collections. The national resource builds upon a sizable existing national investment in curation of the physical objects in scientific collections and contributes vitally to scientific research and technology interests in the United States. It will become an invaluable tool in understanding contemporary biological issues and challenges.

The National Science Foundation awards Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grants in selected areas of the biological sciences. Proposals must fall within the scope of any of the clusters in the Division of Environmental Biology (DEB) or the Behavioral Systems Cluster in the Division of Integrative Organismal Systems (IOS). These grants provide partial support of doctoral dissertation research for improvement beyond the already existing project. Allowed are costs for doctoral candidates to participate in scientific meetings, to conduct research in specialized facilities or field settings, and to expand an existing body of dissertation research.