The U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Western Fisheries Research Center is offering a funding opportunity under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. The grant is available to a CESU-affiliated partner from the Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU). The research initiative aims to evaluate the hazard relationships of the tire-derived chemical N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (6PPD)-quinone, which has been linked to pre-spawn mortality of coho salmon. This chemical, found in stormwater runoff, is responsible for what is known as Urban Runoff Mortality Syndrome. The project seeks to further understand the synergistic effects of tire-derived chemical mixtures on salmon health.

The research objectives under this grant include conducting hazard relationship studies to assess the effects of 6PPD-quinone and related tire-derived chemicals on salmon survival. The study will include experiments designed to determine the sublethal concentrations of these chemicals in isolation and in mixtures. The research aims to identify potential effects on salmon fitness, such as altered swim performance, through performance-based studies. The successful CESU partner will be responsible for verifying that chemical concentrations used in experiments are consistent with environmentally measurable levels found in stormwater.

This grant will fund one award with an initial base year and one renewal year. The funding amount available for Fiscal Year 2025 is $228,000, with additional funding contingent on satisfactory progress and funding availability. Eligible applicants must be current participating partners of the Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit. The research should provide insights into the potential risks of tire-derived chemical exposure on fish populations, informing conservation efforts.

Applicants must submit their proposals electronically through Grants.gov. The application should include recipient details, information about the principal investigator, a list of laboratories and equipment available for the project, and documentation of staff expertise. A detailed proposal must include an introduction to the research problem, objectives, methodology, planned products, and dissemination strategies. Budget details, including salaries, fringe benefits, travel expenses, lab analyses, supplies, and equipment, must be clearly outlined. The USGS also requires applicants to submit a Data Management Plan, ensuring research results and data are properly shared and archived.

Proposals will be evaluated based on criteria including the purpose, objectives, and relevance of the research, technical approach, budget justification, and applicant qualifications. The evaluation process considers the feasibility of the research plan, the clarity of the methodology, and the appropriateness of the budget. The selection process involves a technical review by USGS personnel, with final award determinations made based on overall proposal merit.

For more information, applicants can contact Faith Graves, CESU Contract Specialist at USGS, via email at fgraves@usgs.gov or phone at (703) 648-7356. Progress reports and financial reports will be required throughout the project. The deadline for submitting proposals is not explicitly stated in the document, and applicants are encouraged to check Grants.gov for updated information on submission timelines.