Opportunity Information: Apply for USGS 19 FA 0066
The Carbon dioxide fish barrier project: engineering and economic assessment (USGS 19 FA 0066) is a U.S. Geological Survey funding opportunity focused on developing and evaluating a carbon dioxide (CO2) based "chemical barrier" to help stop invasive bigheaded carps (often referred to as Asian carp) from moving toward and potentially into the Great Lakes. The premise is that current protection efforts rely heavily on a single electric barrier, and agencies want additional, layered deterrents that can repel carp earlier in their approach. This project supports work on a non-physical barrier concept that alters water chemistry in a way fish find unpleasant, encouraging them to turn away before reaching critical choke points.
The grant centers on CO2 injection as the deterrent mechanism. When CO2 is added to water, it changes conditions in ways that are stressful for many aquatic organisms, especially fish. The opportunity description notes that elevated CO2 can lead to physiological stress, protein degradation, and impaired oxygen transport in carp. Importantly, the fish can detect these higher-than-normal CO2 concentrations and will avoid areas where CO2 levels create an unfavorable environment. In practice, the goal is to create a controlled zone of elevated CO2 that functions like an invisible fence, steering carp away without needing a physical structure.
This cooperative agreement is described as an extension of prior work awarded to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Earlier phases involved engineering development and design of a CO2 injection system, and those efforts reportedly succeeded in pond trials. The new phase moves from controlled pond testing to a larger, more realistic field trial, including installation at Kaukauna Lock #2 on the Fox River near Kaukauna, Wisconsin. The field setting matters because real rivers bring complexities that ponds do not: higher flows, mixing and dispersion challenges, variable depths, changing temperatures, and operational constraints tied to navigation structures like locks.
A key deliverable implied by the opportunity is practical engineering guidance for how to inject CO2 efficiently into large bodies of water to reach and maintain target concentrations. The research is meant to generate experimental results that refine system design, including how much CO2 is needed, how rapidly it disperses, what injection configurations work best, and how to achieve consistent deterrent concentrations under changing field conditions. Alongside engineering development, the title signals an economic assessment component, suggesting the work should also inform cost considerations such as equipment needs, operational CO2 demand, installation and maintenance requirements, and overall feasibility as part of broader invasive species control strategies.
Administratively, the opportunity is a discretionary award issued by the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, using a cooperative agreement funding instrument, which typically indicates substantial involvement or collaboration with the federal agency during the project. The activity category is Environment under CFDA 15.808. Eligibility is limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, aligning with the continuation of work already underway at a public university. The posting lists an award ceiling of $49,761, with one expected award, indicating a relatively small, targeted continuation effort rather than a large multi-recipient program. The opportunity was created February 14, 2019, with an original closing date of February 21, 2019, reflecting a short application window consistent with a focused extension or follow-on award.Apply for USGS 19 FA 0066
- The Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Carbon dioxide fish barrier project: engineering and economic assessment" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.808.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 14, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 21, 2019. (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 $49,761.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Carbon dioxide fish barrier project: engineering and economic assessment (USGS 19 FA 0066)?
This is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) funding opportunity to develop and evaluate a carbon dioxide (CO2) based chemical barrier intended to deter invasive bigheaded carps (often called Asian carp) from moving toward and potentially into the Great Lakes. The project focuses on engineering and economic assessment work tied to a CO2 injection deterrent concept.
What problem is this grant trying to solve?
The opportunity is aimed at strengthening efforts to prevent invasive carp from reaching sensitive areas connected to the Great Lakes. It is motivated by the idea that current protection efforts rely heavily on a single electric barrier, and agencies want added, layered deterrents that can repel carp earlier, before they reach critical choke points.
How does a CO2 fish barrier work?
The approach uses CO2 injection to create a controlled zone of elevated CO2 in the water. Elevated CO2 changes water chemistry in ways that are stressful for many fish, and carp can detect these higher-than-normal CO2 concentrations. The concept is that fish will avoid the unpleasant conditions and turn away, so the CO2 zone functions like an invisible fence without a physical structure.
Why use CO2 as the deterrent mechanism?
The opportunity description notes that elevated CO2 can cause physiological stress in carp, including protein degradation and impaired oxygen transport. Because the fish can sense and avoid elevated CO2 levels, CO2 can be used to create conditions that encourage carp to leave the area.
Is this a physical barrier like a dam or net?
No. The described concept is a non-physical (chemical) barrier that works by altering water chemistry to create an area fish find unfavorable, rather than blocking movement with a structure.
What makes this project different from earlier work?
This cooperative agreement is described as an extension of prior work awarded to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Earlier phases involved engineering development and design of a CO2 injection system and reportedly succeeded in pond trials. This phase moves from controlled pond testing to a larger, more realistic field trial.
Where will the field trial take place?
The opportunity describes installation at Kaukauna Lock #2 on the Fox River near Kaukauna, Wisconsin.
Why move from pond trials to a river field trial?
Real river conditions introduce complexities that ponds do not, including higher flows, mixing and dispersion challenges, variable depths, changing temperatures, and operational constraints associated with navigation structures like locks. The field trial is intended to test and refine the approach under these realistic conditions.
What types of engineering questions is the project expected to address?
The opportunity implies the project should generate practical engineering guidance for injecting CO2 efficiently into larger bodies of water to reach and maintain target concentrations. It also points to refining system design based on experimental results, such as how much CO2 is needed, how quickly it disperses, what injection configurations work best, and how to maintain consistent deterrent concentrations as field conditions change.
What does the "economic assessment" part likely cover?
Based on the title and description, the economic assessment component is intended to inform cost and feasibility considerations. This includes cost drivers such as equipment needs, operational CO2 demand, installation requirements, maintenance needs, and overall feasibility as part of broader invasive species control strategies.
What type of award is this?
It is a discretionary award from the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, using a cooperative agreement funding instrument.
What does it mean that the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement?
The opportunity notes that a cooperative agreement typically indicates substantial involvement or collaboration with the federal agency during the project, rather than a more hands-off relationship.
What is the activity category and CFDA number for this opportunity?
The activity category is Environment, and the CFDA number listed is 15.808.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. This aligns with the opportunity being described as a continuation/extension of work already underway at a public university.
How much funding is available?
The posting lists an award ceiling of $49,761.
How many awards does the opportunity expect to make?
The opportunity indicates one expected award, suggesting a small, targeted continuation effort rather than a larger multi-recipient program.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was created on February 14, 2019, with an original closing date of February 21, 2019. The short window is consistent with a focused extension or follow-on award.
What invasive species is the project trying to deter?
The project targets invasive bigheaded carps, commonly referred to as Asian carp, with the goal of discouraging their movement toward the Great Lakes.
What is the broader strategy this project supports?
The work supports a layered deterrence strategy. Instead of relying primarily on a single electric barrier, agencies want additional deterrents that can repel carp earlier in their approach, reducing risk at key locations.
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