Analyze New & Established Data to Develop Alternatives for Managing Hydrilla | P18AS00587

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the title of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Analyze New and Established Data to Develop Alternatives for Managing Hydrilla."

Which agency is offering this funding?

The funding announcement is from the National Park Service (NPS), within the Department of the Interior.

What park or location is this project focused on?

The project is focused on hydrilla management decision support for the Obed Wild and Scenic River (Obed WSR).

What is the main purpose of the project?

The primary purpose is to improve decision-making for managing hydrilla by compiling, integrating, and analyzing multiple data sources side by side. The intent is to identify high-priority locations for hydrilla management or control so limited resources can be targeted where they are likely to have the greatest benefit and fewer unintended impacts.

Is this grant meant to fund on-the-ground hydrilla eradication work?

No. The announcement emphasizes that the central purpose is not direct on-the-ground eradication. Instead, it is a research-and-synthesis effort to strengthen management decisions by analyzing existing and newly collected information together.

What makes this opportunity different from a typical single-dataset analysis?

A key feature is the emphasis on integrating three distinct, high-quality data sets maintained by Obed WSR. Each data set is described as thorough and valuable on its own, but the NPS is specifically interested in the added value created by combining them into one analytical framework to generate more management-relevant insights than any single data set could provide.

How many data sets are expected to be combined?

The project highlights the integration of three distinct data sets maintained by Obed WSR.

What is the expected outcome or deliverable in practical terms?

Based on the description, the expected outcome is an integrated analysis that cross-references the three data sets (and incorporates newly collected data as applicable) to support prioritization of hydrilla management locations and to produce clearer, management-relevant guidance for Obed WSR staff.

How will the analysis be used by park managers?

The analysis is intended to help managers decide which locations should be treated as the highest priorities for hydrilla management or control, enabling more strategic allocation of limited resources and helping reduce unintended impacts on sensitive species and habitats.

Does the project need to consider protected species?

Yes. The announcement notes that the results will support conservation planning for listed mussels and fish. The analysis should help park staff understand where hydrilla control intersects with habitats used by protected aquatic species and where management actions should be approached cautiously or urgently.

What activity category does this funding fall under?

The opportunity is listed under the Natural Resources activity category.

What is the assistance listing or CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number provided is 15.945.

What type of award is being offered?

This opportunity was offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement.

What does a cooperative agreement imply for how the project will be managed?

A cooperative agreement typically means the federal agency expects substantial involvement during the project. In this case, that can include collaboration on scope, methods, data interpretation, and/or deliverables rather than only providing funding and receiving a final report at the end.

What is the maximum funding available (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $35,000, which is the maximum funding level indicated for a project under this announcement.

When was this funding opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on August 27, 2018.

What was the application closing date?

The original closing date listed was September 6, 2018.

How long was the application window?

Based on the listed created date (August 27, 2018) and closing date (September 6, 2018), the application window was short.

How many awards were expected?

The listing shows expected awards as 0. The description notes this can reflect how the opportunity was recorded in the system rather than a guarantee that no awards would be made, but it suggests applicants should not assume multiple awards or large-scale funding.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility was open to private institutions of higher education and other applicants as further clarified in the full eligibility text of the announcement.

What kinds of applicants are a good fit for this project?

Based on the skills implied by the scope, the project is well-suited to a university, research group, or similar entity capable of data management, spatial analysis (for example, GIS), ecological risk assessment, and translating technical analyses into usable management recommendations.

Is the focus limited to hydrilla, or does it include broader planning?

Hydrilla management prioritization is central, but the announcement also highlights conservation planning benefits for listed mussels and fish. That means the work is expected to inform hydrilla decisions while accounting for sensitive species and habitats in Obed WSR.

What is the overall intent of the project in one sentence?

Overall, the intent is a targeted, modestly funded research-and-synthesis effort to turn multiple sources of existing and newly collected information into a more strategic hydrilla management approach that also considers the needs of sensitive mussel and fish populations in Obed WSR.