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.Apply for BOR DO 20 N007
- 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).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Cyanophage treatment development for mitigating freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms caused by Cyanobacteria."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is BOR DO 20 N007.
Which federal agency is sponsoring this project?
The sponsor is the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation.
What type of award is being offered?
This opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement. That means the Bureau of Reclamation expects to be actively involved with the recipient during the project, rather than issuing a hands-off grant.
What program category or assistance listing does this fall under?
The work is described as science and technology and other research and development activities under CFDA 15.560.
How much federal funding is available?
The maximum federal funding level (award ceiling) is $63,343.
How many awards are expected?
The opportunity was designed as a single-award effort, with an expectation of one award.
What problem is this project trying to address?
The project targets freshwater harmful algal blooms (HABs) caused by cyanobacteria. These blooms can degrade water quality, harm aquatic ecosystems, and in some cases produce toxins that threaten drinking water supplies and recreation.
What are cyanophages, in the context of this opportunity?
Cyanophages are viruses that specifically infect cyanobacteria. This opportunity explores whether cyanophages associated with bloom-forming cyanobacteria can be developed into a practical treatment approach to suppress cyanobacterial populations.
What is the overall approach being explored?
Rather than using broad chemical controls, the concept is a biologically targeted strategy: identify naturally occurring cyanophages linked to bloom-forming cyanobacteria, then assess whether they can be prepared and applied in a way that reliably reduces cyanobacteria under controlled conditions.
Is this project intended to be bench-scale or field-scale?
The scope is explicitly bench-scale and feasibility-oriented. The goal is proof-of-concept data and methods, not a lake-wide or real-world full-scale intervention during this award.
What are the main phases of work described in the scope?
The scope describes: (1) field sampling and lab isolation of the cyanobacteria responsible for HAB events and any naturally present associated cyanophages; (2) method development for isolating, purifying, concentrating, and storing a cyanophage culture; and (3) bench-scale treatment testing to develop an optimal dosing approach aimed at collapsing cyanobacterial populations under controlled lab conditions.
What does the field sampling portion involve?
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 from bloom-impacted waters and using laboratory techniques to separate and culture cyanobacteria and detect and isolate cyanophages that infect them.
What does "method development" mean here?
Method development refers to creating a repeatable process for isolating, purifying, concentrating, and storing a cyanophage culture. Practically, this is about producing a usable cyanophage stock with adequate purity and stability so it can be handled, preserved, and potentially scaled later if results support further work.
What is meant by "treatment testing at the bench scale"?
Bench-scale treatment testing means laboratory-based experiments (not open-water application) where a cyanophage inoculant is applied to cyanobacterial cultures or controlled systems to measure whether cyanobacteria can be suppressed and to determine dosing-related factors.
What is the project trying to learn from dosing experiments?
The dosing work is central to feasibility. It aims to determine whether cyanophages can reduce cyanobacteria effectively, how much inoculant might be required, and how treatment timing and concentration relate to the cyanobacterial response.
Is this funding meant to deliver a fully deployable HAB control technology?
No. The opportunity is framed to produce proof-of-concept, bench-scale findings and protocols rather than a fully deployable technology within this single award.
What kinds of deliverables are implied by the opportunity description?
The description indicates deliverables centered on bench-scale findings and protocols, including methods for isolation and cyanophage culture handling (isolation, purification, concentration, storage) and dosing insights from controlled testing. These outputs are meant to support a decision on whether follow-on investments (pilot-scale or full-scale testing) are justified.
Who are the partners involved in this effort?
The opportunity is described as a partnership between the Bureau of Reclamation and New Mexico State University.
Why is the award structured as a cooperative agreement?
Because the Bureau of Reclamation expects to be actively involved alongside the recipient during the project, rather than simply issuing funding with minimal involvement.
Is the project limited to naturally occurring cyanophages?
The concept described focuses on identifying naturally occurring cyanophages associated with bloom-forming cyanobacteria and then assessing whether those cyanophages can be prepared and applied as a treatment under controlled conditions.
What is the expected outcome at the end of this award?
The expected outcome is defensible bench-scale feasibility data and repeatable protocols that indicate whether cyanophage-based control of cyanobacterial HABs is realistic enough to justify future work, potentially advancing to pilot-scale or full-scale testing in freshwater systems.
When was this opportunity created and when did it close?
The opportunity was created on June 2, 2020, with an original closing date of June 11, 2020.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full notice.
Does the description specify the study area?
The description refers to sampling in the "study area" and bloom-impacted waters, but it does not specify a particular location in the information provided here.
What makes this approach different from typical HAB control methods mentioned in the description?
The description contrasts cyanophage-based control with broad chemical controls, emphasizing a more biologically targeted strategy aimed at cyanobacteria specifically.
Is scaling to pilot-scale or full-scale testing included in this award?
No. The text indicates that this award is meant to support bench-scale feasibility and inform whether later projects should pursue pilot-scale or full-scale testing.
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