Opportunity Information: Apply for EPA R5 GL2021 ZMB
The Great Lakes Biology Monitoring Program: Zooplankton, Mysis, and Benthic Components opportunity is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Request for Applications for a single, multi-year cooperative agreement to carry out field sampling and laboratory analysis that support core biological monitoring in the Great Lakes. The project focus is on three key parts of the food web and ecosystem condition: zooplankton (small drifting animals), Mysis (opossum shrimp, an important prey species and energy link in deeper waters), and benthic components (bottom-dwelling organisms and related measures). The funded work is meant to generate consistent, comparable data that help track biological conditions and changes across the lakes over time, aligning with the Great Lakes Biology Monitoring Program (GLBMP) and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Action Plan III.
Funding is expected to total about $6,750,000 over roughly five years, delivered as incremental funding of about $1,350,000 per year. Only one award is anticipated. Because the agreement is incrementally funded, continued support each year depends on factors such as the availability of appropriations, ongoing program priorities, and satisfactory performance. Applicants are asked to propose a start date around January 17, 2022, and an end date that accommodates the full cycle of collecting, processing, and analyzing samples from the 2022 through 2026 field seasons. In practical terms, this means the work is not just seasonal field collection; it also includes the downstream laboratory processing, data management, and analyses needed to complete each year of monitoring and to deliver usable outputs.
The mechanism is a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant, which generally signals substantial federal involvement during the project period. While the RFA summary does not spell out the exact roles, cooperative agreements typically involve closer coordination with EPA on elements like sampling design, methods, schedules, quality assurance, reporting, and deliverables to ensure the monitoring program stays consistent across years and supports broader Great Lakes management needs.
This opportunity is offered under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, with statutory authority referenced in the Clean Water Act, Section 118(c)(7), as amended by Public Law 114-322. EPA cites its authority to fund planning, research, monitoring, outreach, and implementation projects that further the GLRI and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, placing this work within a larger framework of binational and federal efforts to protect and restore Great Lakes water quality and ecosystem health.
Eligible applicants are broadly defined and include governmental entities (such as state agencies, interstate agencies, Indian tribes, and local governments), institutions of higher education (colleges and universities), and nonprofit organizations as defined in 2 CFR Part 200. The opportunity is listed as discretionary funding, under CFDA 66.469, and is administered by EPA (Region 5 indicated by the opportunity number). The original application closing date is October 29, 2021, and the listed annual award ceiling is $1,350,000, consistent with the incremental yearly funding approach.Apply for EPA R5 GL2021 ZMB
- The Environmental Protection Agency in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Great Lakes Biology Monitoring Program: Zooplankton, Mysis, and Benthic Components" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 66.469.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 30, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 29, 2021 See Section II for Award Information. (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 $1,350,000.00 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 Great Lakes Biology Monitoring Program: Zooplankton, Mysis, and Benthic Components opportunity?
This opportunity is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Request for Applications (RFA) for a single, multi-year cooperative agreement to carry out field sampling and laboratory analysis that support core biological monitoring in the Great Lakes.
What is the main purpose of the funded project?
The purpose is to generate consistent, comparable data to track biological conditions and changes across the Great Lakes over time. The work supports the Great Lakes Biology Monitoring Program (GLBMP) and aligns with the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Action Plan III.
Which parts of the Great Lakes ecosystem does this project focus on?
The project focuses on three key parts of the food web and indicators of ecosystem condition: zooplankton (small drifting animals), Mysis (opossum shrimp), and benthic components (bottom-dwelling organisms and related measures).
What are zooplankton in the context of this program?
Zooplankton are described as small drifting animals. They are one of the monitored biological components used to understand food web dynamics and ecosystem condition in the Great Lakes.
What is Mysis and why is it important to monitor?
Mysis are identified as opossum shrimp. They are highlighted as an important prey species and an energy link in deeper waters, making them a key monitoring target within the Great Lakes food web.
What does "benthic components" mean in this opportunity?
Benthic components refer to bottom-dwelling organisms and related measures. These indicators help assess conditions and changes associated with lake bottoms and near-bottom habitats.
What activities are expected under this cooperative agreement?
The funded work is expected to include field sampling and laboratory analysis. The description also makes clear that the effort extends beyond seasonal field collection to include laboratory processing, data management, and analyses needed to complete each year of monitoring and deliver usable outputs.
Is this funding for fieldwork only, or does it include lab and data work too?
It includes more than fieldwork. The opportunity explicitly notes downstream laboratory processing, data management, and analyses as part of what is needed to complete annual monitoring and produce usable results.
How long is the project period expected to last?
The funding is described as multi-year, with total support expected over roughly five years. Applicants are asked to propose an end date that accommodates the full cycle of collecting, processing, and analyzing samples from the 2022 through 2026 field seasons.
What start date should applicants propose?
Applicants are asked to propose a start date around January 17, 2022.
Which field seasons does the monitoring cover?
The monitoring is intended to cover the 2022 through 2026 field seasons, including the full cycle from collection through processing and analysis.
How much total funding is expected for this opportunity?
Funding is expected to total about $6,750,000 over roughly five years.
How is the funding distributed each year?
The award is expected to be incrementally funded at about $1,350,000 per year.
What is the annual award ceiling listed for this opportunity?
The listed annual award ceiling is $1,350,000, consistent with the incremental funding approach described in the opportunity.
How many awards does EPA expect to make?
Only one award is anticipated.
What does it mean that the agreement is incrementally funded?
Incremental funding means support is provided in yearly increments rather than all at once. Continued support each year depends on factors such as availability of appropriations, ongoing program priorities, and satisfactory performance.
What factors can affect whether funding continues each year?
The opportunity states that continued support each year depends on the availability of appropriations, ongoing program priorities, and satisfactory performance.
Is this a standard grant or a cooperative agreement?
This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement mechanism rather than a standard grant.
What is the significance of a cooperative agreement for this project?
A cooperative agreement generally signals substantial federal involvement during the project period. While the summary does not provide detailed role descriptions, it notes that cooperative agreements typically involve closer coordination with EPA on items such as sampling design, methods, schedules, quality assurance, reporting, and deliverables to keep monitoring consistent across years and aligned with broader Great Lakes management needs.
Which EPA program or initiative is this opportunity associated with?
The opportunity is offered under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) and supports the Great Lakes Biology Monitoring Program (GLBMP), with alignment to the GLRI Action Plan III.
What legal authority does EPA cite for this opportunity?
EPA references statutory authority in the Clean Water Act, Section 118(c)(7), as amended by Public Law 114-322.
How does this opportunity fit into broader Great Lakes protection efforts?
EPA describes authority to fund planning, research, monitoring, outreach, and implementation projects that further the GLRI and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. This positions the work within a larger framework of federal and binational efforts to protect and restore Great Lakes water quality and ecosystem health.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are broadly defined and include governmental entities (such as state agencies, interstate agencies, Indian tribes, and local governments), institutions of higher education (colleges and universities), and nonprofit organizations as defined in 2 CFR Part 200.
Are colleges and universities eligible applicants?
Yes. Institutions of higher education (colleges and universities) are included in the eligible applicant categories.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations are eligible as defined in 2 CFR Part 200.
Are state, local, tribal, or interstate governmental entities eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list includes state agencies, interstate agencies, Indian tribes, and local governments.
What type of funding opportunity is this (discretionary or mandatory)?
The opportunity is listed as discretionary funding.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 66.469.
Which EPA region is indicated in the opportunity description?
EPA Region 5 is indicated by the opportunity number details provided in the summary.
What is the application closing date?
The original application closing date is October 29, 2021.
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