Opportunity Information: Apply for F17AS00272
This funding opportunity is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Department of the Interior) notice of intent to support a population genetics project focused on brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in the Lake Superior basin. Brook trout historically occurred widely across the basin, but their numbers and distribution have declined over the last century, with additional declines expected. Because these fish still persist across much of their historic range in the Lake Superior basin, they remain a high management priority in the broader Great Lakes region. A central concern is that reduced population sizes, combined with past or ongoing stocking of brook trout strains from outside the Lake Superior basin, could alter the genetic makeup of remaining populations and lead to either outbreeding depression (mixing genetically distinct lineages in ways that reduce fitness) or inbreeding depression (loss of genetic diversity and fitness in small, isolated populations). The goal of the work is to build stronger, basin-wide genetic understanding so fishery managers can make better-informed decisions about protection, restoration, and stocking practices where brook trout still persist.
The award is structured as a cooperative agreement rather than a typical competitive grant. The funding opportunity number is F17AS00272, listed under CFDA 15.662, with an expected single award and an approximate ceiling of $95,000. The posting explicitly states there is no application process because this is a single-source intent to award to Michigan State University, justified under 505DM 2.14.B(4). In other words, the agency is documenting that competition is not practical because the selected institution is considered uniquely qualified to perform the work.
Michigan State University is identified as uniquely suited for several reasons tied to expertise, partnerships, and lab capacity. A professor at MSU plays a significant role in brook trout genetics research across the species native range, and the project is intended to connect directly with the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture (EBTJV). That partnership matters because EBTJV coordinates brook trout conservation across 17 states, and the project is designed so that genetic results translate into real management guidance, including engagement with the EBTJV Steering Committee leadership (notably Nat Gillespie). The notice also highlights a technical advantage: the MSU researcher helped develop a cost-effective SNP genotyping method (referenced as Ali et al. 2016), enabling genotyping of thousands of fish at hundreds to thousands of single nucleotide polymorphism loci across the genome at an economical price point. The work will be supported by a modern molecular laboratory at MSU and access to the Michigan State University Research Technology Support Facility Genomics Core for sequencing.
The Ashland Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (FWCO) is described as being substantially involved, which is a hallmark of a cooperative agreement. Ashland FWCO will take the lead on the field and coordination side by collecting brook trout tissue samples from across the Lake Superior basin for genetic analysis. It will also function as a temporary repository for samples contributed by partner fishery agencies, build and maintain a sample inventory spreadsheet, and prioritize which samples move forward for processing and analysis. In addition, Ashland FWCO will serve as the coordinating hub to resolve questions and issues during analysis, distribute genetic results back to partner agencies, and participate as a co-author on resulting presentations and publications. The overall intent is to produce actionable, region-wide genetic information that directly supports interagency management decisions aimed at sustaining and restoring Lake Superior basin brook trout populations.Apply for F17AS00272
- The Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Population genetic analysis of Lake Superior basin Brook Trout" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.662.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 21, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 28, 2017 There is not an application process for this funding opportunity. This is a notice of intent to award a single source cooperative to the Michigan State University under justification 505DM 2.14.B.4.. (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 $95,000.00 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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FAQs: USFWS Notice of Intent - Brook Trout Population Genetics (Lake Superior Basin)
What is this funding opportunity about?
This is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Department of the Interior, notice of intent to support a population genetics project focused on brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in the Lake Superior basin. The work is intended to strengthen basin-wide genetic understanding so fishery managers can make better-informed decisions about protection, restoration, and stocking practices where brook trout still persist.
Which species and geographic area are the focus of the project?
The project focuses on brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) populations in the Lake Superior basin, within the broader Great Lakes region.
Why is brook trout genetics a management priority in the Lake Superior basin?
Brook trout historically occurred widely across the Lake Superior basin, but their numbers and distribution have declined over the last century, with additional declines expected. Because they still persist across much of their historic range in the basin, they remain a high management priority, and genetics information is viewed as important for sustaining and restoring remaining populations.
What problem is the genetics work trying to address?
A central concern is that reduced population sizes, combined with past or ongoing stocking of brook trout strains from outside the Lake Superior basin, could alter the genetic makeup of remaining populations. The project is meant to provide a stronger genetic foundation to help guide management decisions in light of these pressures.
What are outbreeding depression and inbreeding depression in the context of this project?
The notice identifies two potential risks to brook trout fitness and long-term viability:
- Outbreeding depression: mixing genetically distinct lineages in ways that reduce fitness.
- Inbreeding depression: loss of genetic diversity and fitness in small, isolated populations.
What is the main goal of the project?
The goal is to build stronger, basin-wide genetic understanding for brook trout in the Lake Superior basin so that fishery managers can make better-informed, practical decisions about protection, restoration, and stocking.
What kind of award is this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
The award is structured as a cooperative agreement, not a typical competitive grant. A cooperative agreement is characterized by substantial involvement from the federal government in carrying out the project.
Which USFWS office is substantially involved, and what does it do?
The Ashland Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (FWCO) is described as being substantially involved. According to the notice, Ashland FWCO will lead field and coordination tasks, collect tissue samples, manage sample intake from partners, maintain the sample inventory, prioritize samples for processing, coordinate resolution of analysis questions, distribute results to partner agencies, and participate as a co-author on presentations and publications.
What is Ashland FWCO responsible for regarding sample collection and handling?
Ashland FWCO is expected to:
- Collect brook trout tissue samples from across the Lake Superior basin for genetic analysis.
- Act as a temporary repository for samples contributed by partner fishery agencies.
- Build and maintain a sample inventory spreadsheet.
- Prioritize which samples proceed to processing and genetic analysis.
How will results be shared and used?
The notice states that Ashland FWCO will distribute genetic results back to partner agencies. The overall intent is for the output to be actionable, region-wide genetic information that directly supports interagency management decisions aimed at sustaining and restoring Lake Superior basin brook trout populations.
Is there an application process for this funding opportunity?
No. The posting explicitly states there is no application process because this is a single-source intent to award.
Is this opportunity competitively awarded?
No. The notice documents a single-source intent to award, stating that competition is not practical because the selected institution is considered uniquely qualified to perform the work.
Who is the intended recipient of the award?
The notice states this is a single-source intent to award to Michigan State University.
What is the justification for making a single-source award?
The notice indicates the single-source approach is justified under 505DM 2.14.B(4), with the rationale that competition is not practical because the recipient is considered uniquely qualified for the work.
What is the funding opportunity number and CFDA listing?
The funding opportunity number is F17AS00272. It is listed under CFDA 15.662.
How many awards are expected?
The notice indicates an expected single award.
What is the approximate funding ceiling?
The notice describes an approximate ceiling of $95,000.
Why is Michigan State University considered uniquely qualified?
The notice highlights several factors tied to expertise, partnerships, and capacity, including:
- A professor at MSU plays a significant role in brook trout genetics research across the species' native range.
- The project is intended to connect directly with the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture (EBTJV) so results translate into management guidance.
- The MSU researcher helped develop a cost-effective SNP genotyping method referenced as Ali et al. 2016.
- The work will be supported by a modern molecular laboratory at MSU and sequencing access via the Michigan State University Research Technology Support Facility Genomics Core.
What is the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture (EBTJV) and why is it relevant?
EBTJV is described as coordinating brook trout conservation across 17 states. The notice emphasizes that the project is designed to connect to EBTJV so genetic results can translate into real management guidance, including engagement with EBTJV Steering Committee leadership (notably Nat Gillespie).
What genetic method or technology is specifically mentioned?
The notice references a cost-effective SNP genotyping method (Ali et al. 2016), described as enabling genotyping of thousands of fish at hundreds to thousands of single nucleotide polymorphism loci across the genome at an economical price point.
What facilities will support the genetics and sequencing work?
The notice states the work will be supported by a modern molecular laboratory at Michigan State University and access to the Michigan State University Research Technology Support Facility Genomics Core for sequencing.
What is the anticipated role of partner fishery agencies?
The notice indicates that partner fishery agencies may contribute tissue samples, with Ashland FWCO serving as a temporary repository for those samples and coordinating inventory, prioritization, and distribution of results back to partners.
Will USFWS staff participate in publications or presentations?
Yes. The notice states Ashland FWCO will participate as a co-author on resulting presentations and publications.
What is the intended management impact of the project?
The intended impact is to produce actionable, region-wide genetic information that supports interagency decisions aimed at sustaining and restoring brook trout populations in the Lake Superior basin, including decisions related to protection, restoration, and stocking practices.
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