"Developing Generalizable Approach for Coupled CyanoHAB Predictive Models" | W81EWF 23 SOI 0021

Opportunity Information: Apply for W81EWF 23 SOI 0021

The Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is seeking one partner under a cooperative agreement to help turn an existing coupled watershed and hydrodynamic modeling approach for cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs), originally developed for "Lake O," into a reusable, streamlined framework that can be applied across many freshwater systems. The core idea is to make a predictive modeling workflow that links what happens on the land (watershed nutrient sources and transport) to what happens in the receiving waterbody (hydrodynamics and cyanoHAB growth and movement), so managers can better anticipate bloom conditions and evaluate nutrient-loading scenarios.

The opportunity emphasizes practical transferability and usability, not just research novelty. Proposals are expected to clearly define the specific technical questions the project will answer, spell out the tasks and datasets needed to answer those questions (including data quality objectives), and lay out concrete deliverables for each task. USACE is explicitly encouraging teams to leverage existing federal and state harmful algal bloom monitoring programs, ongoing HAB research activities, and already-available datasets, rather than building everything from scratch. Applicants must also define what success looks like for each task using both quantitative and qualitative criteria (for example, model performance targets, completeness of documentation, usability results from testing, and reproducibility of runs).

The work is organized into five major objectives. First, the partner will develop open-source code and supporting materials that generalize the Lake O coupled modeling approach. This includes not only the model code itself, but also standardized input file templates and any other artifacts needed to make setup and execution repeatable at new sites. The intent is to reduce the time and specialized expertise required to stand up a coupled watershed-to-waterbody cyanoHAB predictive model, while still preserving scientific rigor in how nutrient loads, transport, and in-lake processes are represented.

Second, the generalized framework must be demonstrated on a real-world USACE-relevant site that is already the subject of a USACE-sponsored HAB research project. The chosen field site has to be identified early, in the pre-proposal stage. This demonstration is not just a quick test; it is meant to serve as a proof of transferability, showing that the generalized approach can be applied to a different water resource development project or freshwater system and still produce a usable coupled modeling configuration. The outcomes and key findings from this application will be captured in a case study report.

Third, the project requires a draft case study report that doubles as a step-by-step tutorial aimed at water managers and practitioners who are not modeling specialists. This is a major deliverable focused on usability: it should walk a non-expert through how to apply the framework at their own site, and it must include the necessary files, user guides, and clear instructions to support successful implementation. The tutorial is also expected to include practical sections like lessons learned and an FAQ, which signals that USACE wants the final product to reflect real-world hurdles (data gaps, calibration challenges, workflow pitfalls) and how to address them.

Fourth, the team will produce a final case study report that incorporates feedback from non-expert beta testers. In other words, the framework and documentation are expected to be tested by intended end users, and then improved based on what those users find confusing, time-consuming, or error-prone. This requirement pushes the project beyond a typical technical report and toward something closer to a packaged, user-centered modeling toolkit.

Fifth, the opportunity includes standard but specific communication and reporting requirements: a fact sheet, quarterly progress reports, both draft and final case study reports with associated electronic files, and a presentation at the annual In-Progress Review. These deliverables indicate that USACE expects routine project visibility and that the end products should be shareable and reusable by others, consistent with the open-source and templated nature of the framework.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number W81EWF 23 SOI 0021) under CFDA 12.630, offered by the Department of Defense, Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers. The instrument type is a cooperative agreement, which typically means USACE expects to be actively involved during the period of performance through collaboration, technical coordination, and iterative review. The announced award ceiling is $250,000, with one expected award. The original posting date is June 20, 2023, with an original closing date of August 7, 2023. Eligibility is listed as "Others" with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement, so applicants would need to confirm whether their organization type and status fit the specific eligibility language in the official notice.

Overall, the grant is geared toward producing a portable, open, and manager-friendly coupled modeling package for forecasting and scenario testing of cyanoHAB dynamics driven by watershed nutrient loads and in-waterbody processes. The strongest submissions are likely to be those that (1) tightly define the scientific and management questions the model will support, (2) show a realistic plan for assembling and validating the needed datasets using existing HAB programs, (3) prioritize reproducibility and ease of deployment through templates and automation, and (4) demonstrate that non-experts can successfully apply the workflow using the tutorial and supporting files.

• The Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- Corps of Engineers in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled ""Developing Generalizable Approach for Coupled CyanoHAB Predictive Models"" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.630.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jun 20, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 07, 2023. (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 $250,000.00 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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