# Genetic characterization of introduced European frogbit and water soldier (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae and Stratiotes aloides) to support management and biological control development

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/w81ewf-23-soi-0017-genetic-characterization-of-introduced-european-frogbit-and/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/348512

> Engineer Research and Development Center offered grants of up to $100,000 to the applicants described in the notice. It expected to make one award worth $200,000 in total. Applications closed on August 2, 2023.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | W81EWF-23-SOI-0017 |
| Agency | Engineer Research and Development Center |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | August 2, 2023 |
| Award ceiling | $100,000 |
| Award floor | not stated |
| Expected awards | 1 |
| Total funding | $200,000 |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 12.630 |

## Who can apply

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

This opportunity is restricted to non-federal partners of the Rocky Mountain or Great Lakes-Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU).

## What the grant funds

In the US, aquatic invasive plants cost millions of dollars annually in management and mitigation, requiring development of cost-effective strategies for preventing and dealing with their impacts. One species of particular concern is European frogbit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae) due to the negative effects of infestations on recipient ecosystems. Similarly, water soldier (Stratoites aloides) is an emerging invader in North America with similar predicted impacts as H. morsus-ranae). Herbicide and mechanical management programs may be viable in some cases; however, they can be detrimental to native flora, and cost prohibitive at scale. Biological control represents a potentially cost-effective tool for long-term sustainable management. Hydrocharis morsus-ranae is an invasive nuisance species that forms large free-floating mats. Infestations impede water traffic, reduce water flow, displace native flora, contribute to hypoxic water conditions, and degrade recreational activities like swimming and fishing (Catling et al. 2003). Native to Europe and Northwest Asia, H. morsus-ranae escaped from a botanic garden in Ottawa, Canada in the 1930s, and has since spread throughout the Great Lakes states, as well as Vermont and Washington (Zhu et al. 2017; EDDMaps 2023). Current biological control efforts targeting H. morsus-ranae have been limited to generalist herbivores, including native snails and grass carp, but have only achieved limited success (Zhu et al. 2017). Classical biological control remains a potential tool, and several potential natural enemies have been identified from the native range (Weyl and Hinz 2022). Stratiotes aloides is an emerging invasive weed in North America. The current distribution of S. aloides is limited to the Trent River in Ontario, Canada where it was detected in 2008 (USDA-APHIS 2017x). Impact of S. aloides are similar to those of H. morsus-ranae, with the added detriment of sharp serrated leaves that can cut those who come in contact with it (OFAH/OMNR 2012). Though little is known about the potential for the biological control of S. aloides, it often co-occurs with H. morsus-ranae within its native range, and due to the close phylogenetic relationship between the two species (Family: Hydrocharitaceae), it has been suggested that biological control surveys should include both (Weyl and Hinz 2022).

## Questions people ask

### Is W81EWF-23-SOI-0017 still open?

No. It closed on August 2, 2023. A newer notice is open: W912HZ26S0001, closes January 1, 2027 (55 days left).

### Who can apply for Genetic characterization of introduced European frogbit and water soldier (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae and Stratiotes aloides) to support management and biological control development?

Engineer Research and Development Center accepted applications from the applicants described in the notice. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for Genetic characterization of introduced European frogbit and water soldier (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae and Stratiotes aloides) to support management and biological control development?

Closed August 2, 2023. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $100,000 each. About $200,000 in total for one award.

### Who has won Basic, Applied, and Advanced Research in Science and Engineering grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Battelle Memorial Institute, Msi Stem Research & Development Consortium, University of California San Diego. The program made 1,101 awards worth $1.3 billion in that time.