Cyanophage treatment development for mitigating freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms caused by Cyanobacteria | BOR DO 20 N007

Opportunity Information: Apply for BOR DO 20 N007

This funding opportunity, titled "Cyanophage treatment development for mitigating freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms caused by Cyanobacteria" (Funding Opportunity Number: BOR DO 20 N007), is a small, targeted research project sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation. It is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the Bureau of Reclamation expects to be actively involved alongside the recipient rather than simply issuing a hands-off grant. The work falls under science and technology and other research and development activities (CFDA 15.560) and was designed as a single-award effort with a maximum federal funding level (award ceiling) of $63,343 and an expectation of one award.

The project focus is on exploring whether cyanophages, which are viruses that specifically infect cyanobacteria, could be developed into a practical treatment approach for freshwater harmful algal blooms (HABs) driven by cyanobacteria. These blooms can degrade water quality, harm aquatic ecosystems, and in some cases produce toxins that threaten drinking water supplies and recreation. Instead of relying on broad chemical controls, the concept here is a more biologically targeted strategy: identify naturally occurring cyanophages associated with bloom-forming cyanobacteria and then assess whether they can be prepared and applied in a way that reliably suppresses cyanobacterial populations.

The scope of work is explicitly bench-scale and feasibility-oriented. First, the effort begins with field sampling to locate, identify, and isolate the cyanobacteria responsible for HAB events in the study area, along with any cyanophages naturally present that are associated with those cyanobacteria. This implies collecting environmental samples (for example, from bloom-impacted waters), then using laboratory techniques to separate and culture the cyanobacteria and to detect and isolate cyanophages that infect them. The second major task is method development: creating a repeatable process for isolating, purifying, concentrating, and storing a cyanophage culture. In practical terms, this is about producing a usable "starter" or stock of cyanophages with adequate purity and stability so it can be handled, preserved, and potentially scaled later if results are promising.

After producing the cyanophage culture, the project moves into treatment testing at the bench scale. The cyanophage inoculant will be used to develop an optimal dosing approach intended to trigger a collapse of the cyanobacterial population in controlled laboratory conditions. This dosing work is central to the feasibility question, because it addresses whether cyanophages can reduce cyanobacteria effectively, how much inoculant might be required, and how treatment timing and concentration relate to the response. The intent is not to implement a lake-wide intervention during this award, but to generate defensible experimental results that indicate whether cyanophage-based control is realistic enough to justify follow-on investments.

A key element of the opportunity is that it is a partnership between the Bureau of Reclamation and New Mexico State University, framed to produce proof-of-concept data rather than a fully deployable technology within this single award. The deliverable is essentially a set of bench-scale findings and protocols (isolation and culture handling methods, plus dosing insights) that can be used to decide whether to continue with future projects, potentially advancing to pilot-scale or full-scale testing in real-world freshwater systems. The opportunity was created on June 2, 2020, with an original closing date of June 11, 2020, and eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with additional eligibility details referenced in the full notice.

• The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cyanophage treatment development for mitigating freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms caused by Cyanobacteria" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.560.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jun 02, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 11, 2020. (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 $63,343.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for BOR DO 20 N007

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