Grants / Department of Defense / Engineer Research and Development Center

W81EWF-23-SOI-0003: Evaluating Restored Wetland Biogeochemical Cycling Following Thin-layer Sediment Introduction

Closed Closed May 15, 2023 Opportunity W81EWF-23-SOI-0003 ☆ Save

This grant is closed. A newer notice from the same program is open now: ERDC Broad Agency Announcement (W912HZ26S0001). Status: Closes January 1, 2027 (55 days left). It is in our archive of Engineer Research and Development Center notices from 2023.

• Award ceiling$60,000
• Total funding$210,000
• Expected awards1
• Cost sharingNot required
• Funding typeCooperative Agreement

Key dates

Who can apply

This opportunity was open to the applicants described in the notice.

• Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

This opportunity is restricted to non-federal partners of the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU). Disclosures of current and pending support made in this application may render an applicant ineligible for funding. Prior to award and throughout the period of performance, ERDC may continue to request updated continuing and pending support information, which will be reviewed and may result in discontinuation of funding. Religious organizations are entitled to compete on equal footing with secular organizations for Federal financial assistance as described in E.O. 13798, “Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty.”

Is this a realistic fit?

• Past Basic, Applied, and Advanced Research in Science and Engineering awards averaged $1.1 million; this notice allows up to $60,000 per award.
• Most of the program's money (69% over five years) went to colleges and universities.
• No cost sharing or match is required.

What the grant funds

A. Short Description of Funding Opportunity This research project focuses on quantifying changes in wetland biogeochemical cycles in areas enhanced using dredged materials or other sources of sediment that contain a larger fraction of mineral contents than most coastal wetland soils. The project will focus on systems within the southeast United States and the Gulf Coast (e.g., FL, AL), but may also include sample collections in the mid-Atlantic region. Specialized approaches will be required to collect and analyze soil biogeochemical parameters within coastal wetlands to accomplish the project objectives. B. Background Wetlands provide a number of ecological functions that benefit society, including the reduction of storm surges and increased flood risk reduction for adjacent communities. Recent interest has focused on the need to enhance wetland biogeochemical cycling following wetland restoration project implementation, resulting in the evolution and expansion of the use of Engineering With Nature and Natural and Nature-Based Features techniques in a restoration context. In particular, the application of thin layer placement of dredged sediments into wetlands to increase elevations and enhance ecosystem functions is of increasing interest. Importantly, wetland biogeochemical cycles can undergo a number of biotic and abiotic transformations that have implications for decomposition rates, nutrient turnover, and fate of organic materials in the wetland soil system. Few studies have investigated short to mid-term (~10 year) changes in biogeochemical cycles following restoration, especially with regards to emerging approaches such as thin layer placement. The paucity of studies represents a knowledge gap that must be addressed to improve the management of wetlands within a climate change resiliency and sustainability context. Additionally, improved information is required to guide the design and implementation of wetland restoration projects to maximize ecosystem functions across a variety of wetland types (i.e., floodplains, marshes, mangroves). C.

Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

Applying now

This notice no longer takes applications. Apply under the newer notice, W912HZ26S0001, which is open now.

The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.