Surveys for Rare Freshwater Mussels in East Texas | F17AS00417

Opportunity Information: Apply for F17AS00417

The Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a discretionary cooperative agreement titled "Surveys for Rare Freshwater Mussels in East Texas" (Funding Opportunity Number F17AS00417). The purpose of this award is to support Texas A&M AgriLife Research at Texas A&M University in carrying out original scientific research focused on rare freshwater mussel species in East Texas. The work is positioned as research and development within the Education, Science and Technology category (CFDA 15.678), and it is designed to strengthen the scientific foundation needed to understand, manage, and conserve these mussel populations.

The project centers on field and laboratory investigations that address several core biological questions. On the taxonomy and phylogeny side, the effort aims to clarify species identification and evolutionary relationships, which is especially important for rare mussels where misidentification, cryptic species, or unresolved classifications can complicate conservation decisions. In parallel, the population genetics component is intended to evaluate genetic diversity and structure across populations, information that can indicate isolation, connectivity, inbreeding risks, and long-term resilience. The project also includes surveys to document distribution and abundance, generating updated data on where these mussels occur and in what numbers, which is a basic but often missing requirement for effective status assessments and conservation planning.

Beyond mussel biology, the grant also calls for an initial look at environmental and landscape drivers that may be influencing mussel conditions. This includes a preliminary identification of environmental stressors affecting mussel habitats and a preliminary assessment of landscape condition in surrounding forested lands. While described as preliminary, these tasks signal an intent to connect mussel population findings with broader watershed and land-use context, such as water quality pressures, habitat alteration, sedimentation, hydrologic changes, or other factors that commonly affect freshwater mussels. A recurring theme in the opportunity is explicitly filling existing data gaps, indicating that the agency expects the research to target places, species, or questions where current information is limited or outdated.

In terms of award structure and eligibility, this is a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant, which generally implies active involvement by the federal agency during the project (for example, coordination, technical input, or shared responsibilities). Eligibility is limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, and the notice identifies Texas A&M AgriLife Research as the intended recipient. The announcement is explicitly labeled as a Notice of Intent and not a request for competitive proposals, stating that Texas A&M AgriLife Research is uniquely qualified due to its technical expertise and existing survey and research work relevant to the species.

The funding details indicate one expected award with a ceiling of $90,000. The opportunity was created on August 21, 2017, with an original closing date of August 25, 2017, reflecting a short administrative window consistent with a non-competitive, single-recipient action tied to a specific partner’s capabilities and ongoing work.

• The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the education, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Surveys for Rare Freshwater Mussels in East Texas" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.678.
• This funding opportunity was created on Aug 21, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 25, 2017 This Notice of Intent is NOT a request for competitive proposals. Texas AM AgriLife Research at Texas AM University is uniquely qualified for technical expertise and existing surveys and related original research for the species.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $90,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.

Apply for F17AS00417

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