OARS funding Conservation

The interagency Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) intends to request proposals through one or more formal Funding Opportunity Notice (FON) announcements beginning approximately October 1, 2013 and remaining open through November 22, 2013. The intent of this notice is to provide an early alert to investigators interested in the topics listed below so that investigators can begin considering responsive ideas with potential partners and collaborators.

BWF's Career Awards at the Scientific Interface provide $500,000 to bridge advanced postdoctoral training and the first three years of faculty service. These awards are intended to foster the early career development of researchers who have transitioned or are transitioning from undergraduate and/or graduate work in the physical/mathematical/computational sciences or engineering into postdoctoral work in the biological sciences, and who are dedicated to pursuing a career in academic research. These awards are open to U.S. and Canadian citizens or permanent residents as well as to U.S. temporary residents.

The purpose of this Dear Colleague Letter is to advise you about funding opportunities at the National Science Foundation for the research community to propose research projects or workshops that will gather data on the implementation and impacts of recent science policy initiatives including, but not limited to those noted earlier.  Especially encouraged are proposals that will: Develop new, or improve existing, analytical frameworks for evaluating the impacts of federal science policy initiatives; Explore different agencies' approaches to the implementation of particular policies to examine how variations in approach affect the achievement of intended policy outcomes; Collect case-study or quantitative data that facilitate identification of best practices in science and innovation policy implementation.

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.

Financial assistance will be awarded for projects that advance the LCC Network Vision and Mission by addressing the following priority theme areas addressed in Section XI of the full announcement: Theme A - Integrating Assessment and Planning for Aquatic Resource Conservation at Landscape Scales. Theme B - Developing a Network of Ecologically Functional and Connected Landscapes by Facilitating Landscape Conservation Design.

During the 2014 grant cycle, the Foundation will specifically target five specific themes for funding.  These themes, developed in close consultation with conservation and research specialists, are:  Human elephant conflict action;  Action to eliminate illegal killing and trafficking of elephants;  Community capacity building;  Conservation education; and  Management of elephant populations.

Financial assistance will be awarded for projects that advance the LCC Network Vision and Mission by addressing the following priority theme areas addressed in Section XI of the full announcement: Theme A - Integrating Assessment and Planning for Aquatic Resource Conservation at Landscape Scales. Theme B - Developing a Network of Ecologically Functional and Connected Landscapes by Facilitating Landscape Conservation Design.

One important effect of global climate change is the reduction in naturally stored water resources which, for Peru, means melting glaciers and a decrease in the size of highland wetlands (paramos). The loss of these areas decreases water availability for upland and lowland communities and increases the potential for Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). This APS seeks to stimulate adaptation projects that assist indigenous mountain communities, rural and urban areas, and local and regional governments potentially affected by GLOFs or changes in water availability. General project outcomes will be long-term, sustainable approaches that help reduce the impact of climate change on glaciated and highland wetland ecosystems and on those that depend on these ecosystems' services.

NMFS, with assistance from the New England Fishery Management Council (Council), is soliciting proposals for 2014 and 2015 that address Atlantic Herring RSA research priorities. Proceeds from the sale of research quota are used to pay for research costs and to compensate fishing vessel owners that harvest RSA quota. No Federal funds are provided for research under this notification. Rather, proceeds generated from the sale of RSA quota will be used to fund research activities and/or harvest set-aside quota. Projects funded under the Atlantic Herring RSA Program must enhance the knowledge of Atlantic herring fishery resources or contribute to the body of information on which Council management decisions are made. Priority will be given to proposals that investigate research priorities identified by the Council, which are detailed under the Program Priorities section of this announcement.

The objective of the program is to provide a basis for advancing science-based fisheries management for Atlantic bluefin tuna. Such advancement will depend upon improvements in understanding of the fisheries harvesting and the biology of bluefin tuna, especially regarding the effects of mixing and movement between the eastern and western Atlantic stocks on monitoring stock abundance. Contracting Parties to the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), of which the US is one, and other partners have embarked upon a $25 million research program on bluefin tuna, expected to span 6 years as a step toward improving ICCAT's science based management approach for fisheries affecting bluefin. Research sponsored under this funding opportunity represents a contribution to this partnership.

The project will investigate the dynamics and connectivity of the northern, i.e., Panoche/Ciervo, giant kangaroo rat metapopulation by sampling 10-20 animals at each of 20-30 sampling sites with a suite of >12 of microsatellite loci. Aims are to determine (1) the number of discrete populations present, (2) the magnitude and directionality of gene flow among populations, thus identifying both source and sink populations, and (3) identification of intermediate stepping-stone populations

Investigate measuring and modeling the hydrothermal germination time of weeds and native species as a way to improve species selection and successful restoration of lands disturbed by energy development.

Sustaining habitat in the face of expanding energy development (wind, oil & gas, coal, solar, and nuclear) is one of the key challenges in managing for big game habitat across North America in the upcoming decades. Landscapes fragmented by open-pit mines, wind towers, well pads, pipelines, seismic and transmission lines, and roads can lead to direct (destruction or modification) and indirect (changes in behavior and ecological interactions) effects on big game that may have dramatic consequences locally, and cumulatively over large regions. As part of the Club's efforts to foster conservation of habitats on public and private lands, we are soliciting applications to support research that provides information for science-based management of big game habitat in the face of energy development.

The purpose of CIG is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging the Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) into NRCS technical manuals, guides, and references or to the private sector. CIG does not fund research projects. It is a vehicle to stimulate the development and adoption of conservation approaches or technologies that have been studied sufficiently to indicate a likelihood of success, and to be candidates for eventual technology transfer or institutionalization. CIG funds projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations.

The tasks to be performed under this agreement are as follows: Task 1: Project Planning and Design The planning and design phase of the project will draw on work completed to date with information and analysis of existing site conditions completed by project team members. The Planning and Design process will include the following: Obtain and set up base maps for the project Develop an architectural design of greenhouse compatible with the existing historic structures including structural engineering Conduct an energy analysis including design of integrated system; for example a combination of alternative energy options. Complete final plans, including construction documents. Task 2: Determine Water Supply and Augmentation Needs The Recipient will determine demand and design water-related systems to irrigate greenhouse and outdoor plots. This task includes any water related engineering and legal services required to complete documents to legally use water for the project. Task 3: Determine Design of Outdoor Plots and Environmental Data Collection The Recipient will, with assistance from the Service, collect environmental data regarding existing conditions on the property as well as to assist in design of outdoor plots. Outdoor plots will be designed for optimal irrigation, drainage, plantings, and fencing. Task 4: Project Coordination The Recipient will provide overall project management and administrative oversight of the Upper Arkansas River NRDAR Native Plant Propagation at Hayden Ranch from greenhouse outdoor plot planning through implementing those plans.

The CSBR program provides for enhancements that secure and improve existing collections, result in accessible digitized specimen-related data, and develop better methods for specimen curation and collection management. Requests should demonstrate a clear and urgent need to secure the collection, and the proposed activities should address that need. Biological collections supported include established living stock/culture collections, vouchered non-living natural history collections, and jointly-curated ancillary collections such as preserved tissues and DNA libraries.

The ASPB Education Foundation seeks proposals from ASPB members to support education and outreach activities that advance knowledge and appreciation of plant biology. The Foundation was established in 1995 with the main goal of enhancing public awareness and understanding of the role of plants in all areas of life. To this end, the Foundation supports education and outreach projects (i.e., NOT science research projects) that enrich and promote youth, student, and general public understanding of the: Importance of plants for the sustainable production of medicine, food, fibers, and fuels; Critical role plants play in sustaining functional ecosystems in changing environments; Latest developments in plant biotechnologies, including genetic modifications that improve the quality and disease- and stress-resistance of crops; Discoveries made in plants that have led to improved human health and wellbeing; and Range of careers related to plant biology or available to plant biologists.

A number of travel bursaries are available for postgraduates and early career researchers to participate in this project on Friday 7th June 2013 at Birkbeck, University of London, which uses Rachel Carson's Silent Spring to explore the relationship between arts and science research.

The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council seeks innovative (new, cutting-edge or builds upon existing studies) grant proposals for program development, study, and collaboration that will address strategies in the Ten Year Action Plan. Specifically for this Request for Proposals, the Council is considering proposals to address the following priority issues:* Making Urban Trees and Forests More Resilient to the Impacts of Natural Disasters and the long-term Impacts of Climate Change* Green Infrastructure Jobs Analysis* Utilizing Green Infrastructure to Manage and Mitigate Stormwater to Improve Water Quality Organizations, local governments, tribal agencies, and partnerships are encouraged to submit proposals that will demonstrate the reach, resources, and expertise needed to address the three priority issues in ways that will lead to meaningful, replicable results across the country.Potential Innovation grantees are should work collaboratively with other organizations and entities not traditionally involved in urban and community forestry.Applicants should consider multi-year projects and other sources of funds, which may include other Federal cooperative conservation sources.

The National Park Service is requesting information on the interest and qualifications of a potential partner to collaborate on a project for the Natural Resource Condition Assessments for War in the Pacific National Historical Park (WAPA) and American Memorial Park (AMME). Responses to this request will be used to identify potential collaborators for a project that will be funded by NPS.