Evaluating the Bioaccessibility of Lead and Other Elements in Contaminated Soils from Variety of Environments

The US Geological Survey is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research in biogeochemistry to evaluate the bioaccessibility of lead and other elements in contaminated soils from variety of environments.

Research Objectives:

1) Evaluate the use of an established in vitro method for lead bioaccessibility (EPA method 1340) for assessing the biogeochemistry of lead and other elements in contaminated soils.
2) Analyze soil samples for lead bioaccessibility from a variety of contaminant sources including battery recycling facilities, shooting ranges, lead paint, and legacy emissions from vehicles that used leaded gasoline prior to 1990. Approximately 150 soil samples (50 samples in three size fractions) will be available for testing.
3) Analyze other elements (Al, As, Bi, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mg, Sb, Sn, and Zn) in extractions from in vitro testing to evaluate discrimination between contaminant sources using element ratios.
4) Collaborate on interpretive reports including data on the bioaccessibility of Pb and other elements in contaminated soils, and similar areas of investigation.

Award Information: It is anticipated that one award will be made with one base year and one renewal year. The total estimated funding for this project is $33,100.  Funding in the amount of $22,000 is estimated to be available for Fiscal Year 2024. Additional funding in the amount of $11,100 is estimated to be available for Fiscal Year 2025. Additional funding may be available, based upon satisfactory progress.

Funding Source: Department of the Interior, U.S.G.S.

Deadline: July 15, 2024, 5pm ET

For more information see the posting on Grants.gov

Social Network Analysis of the Environmental Justice and Climate Justice Community Active in Climate Adaptation and Conservation

The funding opportunity is being offered to develop and test a methodology for conducting social network analyses nationally and at each regional Climate Adaptation Science Center (CASC) in order to identify organizations engaging in environmental justice and climate justice work that might overlap with CASC efforts. The recipient will develop the methodology for a social network analysis to identify, map and measure relationship patterns. The recipient will then apply the methodology in a national analysis for NCASC and a minimum of two Regional CASC analyses.

Funding Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Closing Date for Applications: Aug 09, 2024 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date.
For more information see the listing on Grants.gov

2024 SPSD Collaborative Soil Survey Research

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil and Plant Science Division (NRCS SPSD), is announcing the potential availability of funding for agreements for the purposes of supporting cooperative research in soil science and soil survey. The purpose of the 2024 Soil Survey Cooperative Research Proposals is to promote research that informs and improves soil survey. Each proposal must include significant collaboration with soil survey personnel (such as those at the National Soil Survey Center, MLRA Soil Survey or Regional offices). The proposal’s deliverables and their connection to soil survey must be clearly explained. Extra consideration will be given to proposals that include Dynamic Soil Survey research support, with close collaboration with National Soil Survey Center Research Soil Scientists. The work should have national or broad regional application to fill gaps in soil survey databases, provide new approaches to collecting or interpreting soil survey data, and/or address emerging issues in the national research priority areas.

Funding Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Closing Date for Applications: July 08, 2024 Applications must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Time.
Eligibility:
Limited to institutions of higher education in the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network
For more information see the listing on grants.gov

Free Black Communities in the Shenandoah Valley Special History Study

The National Park Service (NPS), through Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park and the Interior Region 1 (IR-1), North Atlantic-Appalachian History and Preservation Assistance Office, requires the performance of research and writing of a Special History Study about free Black communities in the Shenandoah Valley in the years immediately preceding the Civil War and into the Reconstruction Era.

Deadline: Deadline for responding to this letter of interest is Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
Funding: Available funds will support a project up to $65,000 (including indirect costs)
For more information see the Request for Letters of Interest and the Scope of Work.
Additional Documents: Budget Worksheet (Excel)

Great Smoky Mountains National Park- Long-Term Ecological Monitoring Data Analyses

Project: The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking the assistance of principal investigator(s) for a project involving the analysis of long-term ecological monitoring data to provide trends in resource condition and to address inter-disciplinary questions that provide insight on the health of the Park’s ecosystems.
This project requires a principal investigator with experience in quantitative ecological analysis of terrestrial and/or aquatic systems.
Funding Source: National Park Service
Deadline: The deadline for responding to this letter of interest is May 31, 2024, by 5:00pm ET.
For more information see the Request for Letters of Interest and the Dataset Summary Spreadsheet.

Heritage Documentation Programs Recordation, Nationwide

Project: The Heritage Documentation Program is interested in cooperating with a CESU partner(s) to accomplishing the following in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines. Some elements may not be applicable to each project and are noted by and an “*”: Written Historic Report, Large Format Photographs, *Measured Drawings, Address peer review comments and revise report accordingly, Arrange documentation in accordance with Preparing HABS/HAER/HASLS Documentation for Transmittal to the Library of Congress.
Funding Sources: National Park Service.
Deadline for responses: June 1, 2024
For more information see the Request for Letters of Interest.

Ocean Environmental Monitoring and Sound Propagation Study at Mid-Atlantic Shelfbreak Offshore Wind Area

Description: Environmental assessments on offshore renewable energy development require accurate modeling and effective monitoring. Traditional sound propagation modeling for noise effect analysis often uses historical environmental variables that may not reflect oceanographic regime shifts due to climate change. Existing acoustic monitoring only evaluates species calls and signal/noise characteristics collected at the recording sites without incorporating oceanographic variables, and is thus unable to address broader issues such as ecological dynamics and oceanographic processes related to offshore wind development.The proposed study will deploy acoustic sensors in the vicinity of the National Science Foundation’s (NSF’s) Pioneer Array ocean observation platform to collect active and passive acoustic datasets and to conduct sound propagation measurements.
Closing Date for Applications: June 13, 2024 5:00 p.m., ET
Funding Source: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

For more information see the listing on Grants.gov

Request for Statements of Interest: Special History Study – The Sandburgs’ Views and Roles Related to African Americans and Civil Rights

Project: Responses to this Request for Statements of Interest will be used to identify potential investigators for a project to be funded by the National Park Service (NPS) and coordinated by Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site (CARL). The project involves the development and production of a special history study that uses research and critical analysis to document Carl and Lillian Sandburg’s views on and relationships with African Americans and the struggle for civil rights. These resources will enable CARL to develop interpretive and educational programs that expand understanding of the Sandburgs and connect visitors with African American history and culture.

This project requires a principal investigator(s) with a deep knowledge of American history and literature, with a focus on the African American experience and civil rights, as well as prior experience researching, writing, and producing government reports, especially as related to NPS interpretive histories, historic contexts, or theme studies.

Deadline: The deadline for responding to this letter of interest has been extended to May 15, 2024 by 5:00pm ET. PLEASE NOTE: A budget is not requested at this time.

For more information see the full Request for Statements of Interest

Request for Letters of Interest: Special History Study- Fort Rosalie (Natchez, MS)

Project: The National Park Service (NPS), Interior Region 2 (IR-2)- South Atlantic-Gulf, is seeking the services of a principal investigator(s)/editor(s) for a project to be funded by the National Park Service (NPS) and coordinated by Natchez National Historical Park (NATC). The project involves the development and production of a multi-authored and multi-chaptered Special History Study detailing the history and significance of the Fort Rosalie Site, with a special focus on the experiences and interactions between people of Native American, European, and African descent.

Deadline: The deadline for responding to this letter of interest is April 15, 2024 by 5:00pm ET.

For more information see the request for letters of interest.