Modeling relationships of hydromorphology, nutrient dynamics, and algal production in backwaters of the Lower Mississippi River | W81EWF 23 SOI 0005

Opportunity Information: Apply for W81EWF 23 SOI 0005

The grant opportunity titled "Modeling relationships of hydromorphology, nutrient dynamics, and algal production in backwaters of the Lower Mississippi River" is a research-focused cooperative agreement sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense through the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC). It is framed around a practical water-quality problem tied to one of the most important river systems in the United States: while the Mississippi River generally provides water that can be treated to drinking-water standards using conventional municipal processes, the river also transports and accumulates nutrients that can drive serious ecological and operational issues. The central concern is that excess nutrients can fuel algal and cyanobacterial growth, particularly in slower-moving or semi-isolated backwater areas that are still hydrologically connected to the main river channel, and that nutrient-laden river discharge contributes to the well-known seasonal hypoxic "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico.

The project focus is on understanding and predicting how physical habitat structure and flow conditions (hydromorphology) interact with nutrient cycling (nutrient dynamics) and biological response (algal production) within Lower Mississippi River backwaters such as lakes, ponds, and wetlands linked to the river. Backwaters behave differently than the main channel because they often have reduced flow velocities, longer water residence times, different sedimentation patterns, and distinct mixing and temperature regimes. Those conditions can increase the opportunity for nutrients to be retained, transformed, or recycled, which in turn can either amplify algal blooms locally or, if managed correctly, potentially reduce nutrient export downstream. ERDC notes that there is ongoing interest from its Water Quality and Engineering Research Team and other stakeholders in learning how these dynamic processes operate, and especially whether they can be influenced to remove or sequester nutrients before they contribute to downstream impacts.

A key motivation behind the opportunity is also risk management for river engineering and restoration actions. The notice points out concerns that projects designed to address other needs (for example, navigation, flood risk reduction, habitat restoration, or sediment management) could unintentionally increase algal blooms by altering hydrology, connectivity, or nutrient retention patterns in backwaters. This makes the modeling emphasis important: the goal is not just to describe conditions, but to build or apply models that link physical changes in the river-backwater system to nutrient behavior and algal outcomes, allowing managers to anticipate tradeoffs and design interventions that minimize water-quality side effects.

Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement mechanism, indicating that the government expects to have substantial involvement during the project rather than acting solely as a pass-through funder. The activity category is Science and Technology / Research and Development, and it is listed under CFDA number 12.630. The opportunity number is W81EWF 23 SOI 0005. The posting date is April 12, 2023, with an original closing date of June 11, 2023. Funding is relatively small and targeted, with an award ceiling of $40,000 and an expectation of a single award. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement, which typically implies that nontraditional applicants may be allowed but should confirm requirements in the eligibility section.

In practical terms, the opportunity is aimed at producing research outputs that clarify cause-and-effect relationships in Lower Mississippi backwaters: how variations in connectivity to the mainstem, bathymetry, channel geometry, flow exchange, and sediment processes influence nutrient concentrations and transformations, and how those nutrient patterns translate into algal or cyanobacterial production. The intended value of the work is decision support: improving the ability to predict when and where blooms are likely, understanding how backwaters contribute to or mitigate nutrient delivery downstream, and informing whether and how these environments can be leveraged to retain nutrients in ways that improve overall water quality without creating new localized bloom problems.

• The Department of Defense, Engineer Research and Development Center in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Modeling relationships of hydromorphology, nutrient dynamics, and algal production in backwaters of the Lower Mississippi River" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.630.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 12, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 11, 2023. (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 $40,000.00 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).

Apply for W81EWF 23 SOI 0005

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