Department of Fish and Wildlife White Nose Syndrome Research Grant

Before submitting a proposal for WNS funds, please carefully review all the information and instructions associated with this request.

Background

First documented in New York in the winter of 2006-2007, WNS refers a white fungus on the muzzles (noses) of many affected bats. WNS has been observed in at least 30 bat hibernacula in New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut and has been characterized by: the presence of a white fungal growth on the muzzle, wings, and other body surfaces; atypical winter behaviors, including shifts from regular roost locations and daytime outdoor flights; mass mortality events and/or unexplained population declines at hibernacula; and damage to wing membranes evident in summer. Additional information on WNS can be found at http://www.fws.gov/northeast/white_nose.html.

The Service, State natural resource agencies, other Federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations met in June 2008 to discuss potential hypotheses for the cause of mortality associated with WNS, as well as the critical research and management needs. The following hypotheses were developed:

Hypothesis 1: Bats are starving due to:
o Hypothesis 1a. An inadequate quantity/quality of fats as they enter hibernation
o Hypothesis 1b. An early depletion of fats during hibernation
o Hypothesis 1c. A water imbalance
Hypothesis 2: Bats are succumbing to direct effects of pathogens (e.g., fungus,
bacteria, virus)
Hypothesis 3: Bats are dying due to the direct effects of contaminants
Hypothesis 4: Many factors working together are causing the observed mortality

Management needs include surveillance, response, coordination, and containment of WNS and conservation of bats.

FY2008-2009 Priorities

While we are interested in research addressing any of the above-listed hypotheses, for this RFP, we intend to fund research that addresses the following questions:

1. Is WNS caused by a pathogen?
2. What is the role of the white fungus in the observed mortalities, and how common is (are) the fungus (fungi) in affected and unaffected regions?
3. Is WNS transmissible, and if so, by what means?

We are also interested in projects that will assist the Service with:

1. determining effects of WNS on bat populations;
2. monitoring affected WNS sites;
3. conducting surveillance for WNS;
4. developing containment strategies for WNS; and
5. determining the role of captive management/rehabilitation in response to WNS.

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

Projects must be completed by September 30, 2009.

Projects must be coordinated with appropriate state natural resource agency(ies) regarding the scope and implementation, ideally prior to submission.

Applicant must procure all necessary Federal and/or State permits for the proposed project, if funded.

Applicant must obtain a Dun & Bradstreet (DUNS) number and register at http://www.ccr.gov if proposal is selected.

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the required SF424, the following should be included in your project proposal:

1) How will this project meet an identified WNS priority?
2) What are the objectives of this project? (objectives should be written as outcome oriented and measurable)
3) What activities or actions will this project undertake to achieve the stated objectives? What are the measureable outcomes of the project?
4) Provide a timeline of project activities
5) Budget details – estimate partnership funds and other match that will be leveraged, including source (please note that there is no required match)
6) What are the implications if this project is not funded in 2008-2009?
7) Summarize the most important strength of your proposal in the last paragraph
8) Include a brief statement of relevant qualifications of the Primary Investigator, partner organizations, and most important team members

Projects will be ranked based upon how closely they meet WNS 2008-2009 priorities addressed in this RFP, timeliness, and likely contribution to the WNS response effort. Applicants will be notified whether or not their proposal was selected.