Opportunity Information: Apply for P18AS00553
The grant opportunity titled "Tracing the Sources and Depositional History of Mercury to National Parks" (Funding Opportunity Number P18AS00553) is a National Park Service cooperative agreement focused on understanding how mercury (Hg) has been deposited over time in two specific coastal national park sites in the eastern United States: Cape Cod National Seashore (CACO) and Acadia National Park (ACAD). The central idea is to build a historical record of mercury pollution in these parks and use that record to see how ecosystems responded to major air quality policies and changes in industrial emissions, such as those associated with the Clean Air Act and the shutdown of local or regional power plants.
The project is designed around reconstructing mercury deposition chronologies, meaning it aims to determine how much mercury was deposited in different time periods and how those rates changed across decades. To do that, the work relies on lake sediment cores, which function like natural archives. As sediment accumulates layer by layer on lake bottoms, it can preserve a timeline of contaminants like mercury. By extracting cores and analyzing mercury concentrations through the depth profile, researchers can estimate mercury accumulation rates across time and identify periods when deposition increased or declined.
A major scientific component of the opportunity is the use of mercury isotope analysis, described as using "isotopic Hg fingerprints." Mercury from different source types and atmospheric pathways can sometimes be distinguished by variations in isotopic composition. By measuring those isotopic patterns in the sediment record, the project aims to evaluate how the dominant sources of mercury to these parks have shifted over time, including the relative influence of nearby or regional emissions compared to broader background sources. This source-tracing element is intended to strengthen the interpretation of the sediment chronologies by connecting observed changes to plausible drivers, such as regulatory actions or specific emissions reductions.
In addition to building sediment-based histories, the project plans to compare these reconstructed deposition records with other mercury-related metrics already available for the parks. That implies using existing datasets, likely including monitoring or prior research on mercury in water, fish, wildlife, or atmospheric deposition. By integrating multiple lines of evidence, the program seeks to assess how sensitive these park ecosystems are to changes in emissions and deposition, and to better anticipate how future emissions trends could affect mercury burdens in these protected environments.
Administratively, this opportunity was listed as a discretionary funding program under the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, with an environmental activity focus and CFDA number 15.944. The funding instrument was a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates substantial involvement or collaboration with the federal agency during the project rather than a hands-off grant structure. The listing indicated an expected single award with an award ceiling of $31,659. The posting date was August 20, 2018, and the notice explicitly states that no applications will be accepted, signaling that it was either a closed, competed action that has concluded or a notice posted for transparency about a specific funded effort rather than an open call for proposals.Apply for P18AS00553
- The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Tracing the Sources and Depositional History of Mercury to National Parks" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.944.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 20, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. (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 $31,659.00 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).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Tracing the Sources and Depositional History of Mercury to National Parks."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is P18AS00553.
Which agency is offering this opportunity?
This is a Department of the Interior opportunity administered by the National Park Service (NPS).
What type of funding mechanism is used?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates the National Park Service expects to be substantially involved during the project (more collaboration than a typical hands-off grant).
Is this an open funding opportunity that accepts applications?
No. The notice explicitly states that no applications will be accepted, which indicates it is not an open call for proposals.
What does it mean that "no applications will be accepted"?
Based on the notice language, this appears to be a closed or already-completed discretionary action, or a posting made for transparency about a specific funded effort rather than a competitive solicitation open to new applicants.
When was this opportunity posted?
The posting date listed is August 20, 2018.
What is the main purpose of the project?
The project focuses on understanding how mercury (Hg) has been deposited over time in selected national parks, and using that historical record to evaluate ecosystem responses to changes in emissions and air quality policies.
Which park sites are included in the project?
The work is focused on two coastal national park sites in the eastern United States: Cape Cod National Seashore (CACO) and Acadia National Park (ACAD).
What environmental issue does the project address?
The project addresses mercury pollution, specifically how mercury deposition to protected coastal park ecosystems has changed over time and what sources likely contributed to those changes.
What does "mercury deposition chronology" mean in this context?
It refers to reconstructing a time-based history of mercury deposition, estimating how much mercury was deposited in different time periods and how deposition rates changed across decades.
How will the project reconstruct historical mercury deposition?
The approach relies on lake sediment cores. Because sediments accumulate in layers over time, they can preserve a timeline of contaminants. By extracting cores and analyzing mercury concentrations through the depth profile, researchers can estimate mercury accumulation rates across time.
Why are lake sediment cores useful for this work?
Lake sediments can function like natural archives. Layer-by-layer accumulation on lake bottoms can preserve a record of environmental conditions and contaminant inputs (including mercury) across many years or decades.
What is the role of mercury isotope analysis in this project?
The opportunity includes mercury isotope analysis (described as "isotopic Hg fingerprints") to help distinguish among mercury source types and atmospheric pathways using differences in isotopic composition preserved in the sediment record.
What does "isotopic Hg fingerprints" mean?
It refers to measuring the isotopic composition of mercury to look for patterns that can help infer likely sources and transport pathways. Different source types and atmospheric processes can sometimes be associated with different isotopic signatures.
What kinds of mercury sources is the project trying to differentiate?
Based on the description, the work aims to evaluate how dominant sources have shifted over time, including the relative influence of nearby or regional emissions versus broader background sources.
How does the project connect mercury trends to policy or emissions changes?
The intent is to use the reconstructed sediment history to examine how mercury deposition and ecosystem responses track major air quality policies and industrial emissions changes, including those associated with the Clean Air Act and the shutdown of local or regional power plants.
Will the project use any information besides sediment cores?
Yes. The project plans to compare sediment-based deposition records with other mercury-related metrics already available for the parks, implying integration with existing datasets (for example, prior monitoring or research on mercury in environmental media).
What is meant by "other mercury-related metrics already available for the parks"?
The notice indicates existing mercury datasets will be considered alongside the sediment reconstructions, but it does not specify which exact datasets. It suggests the project will integrate multiple lines of evidence rather than relying on sediments alone.
What is the expected outcome of comparing sediment records with other metrics?
The goal is to better assess how sensitive these park ecosystems are to changes in mercury emissions and deposition, and to improve understanding of how future emissions trends could affect mercury burdens in these protected environments.
Is the opportunity considered discretionary funding?
Yes. The listing describes it as a discretionary funding program under the Department of the Interior.
What is the activity or subject focus of the opportunity?
The focus is environmental, centered on mercury deposition history, source tracing, and ecosystem response within national park settings.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 15.944.
How many awards were expected?
The listing indicated an expected single award.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling listed is $31,659.
Does the notice specify a minimum award amount or a floor?
No minimum award amount is described in the provided information; only the award ceiling is stated.
Does this description include eligibility requirements?
No. The provided information does not list eligibility criteria, likely because the notice states that no applications will be accepted.
Does the notice include deadlines or submission instructions?
No. Since the notice states that no applications will be accepted, the provided information does not include submission deadlines or application instructions.
What makes this opportunity different from a typical research grant?
The key difference highlighted is that it is a cooperative agreement, which typically involves substantial federal involvement or collaboration during the project rather than minimal agency interaction.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Environment
Next opportunity: Head Start and/or Early Head Start Grantee -- Rensselaer County, New York
Previous opportunity: NOTICE OF INTENT: Lakeshore Archeological Site Condition Assessment
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for P18AS00553
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (P18AS00553) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Aquatic Resources Data Stewardship and Analysis for the New River Gorge National River, Gauley River National Recreation Area, and Bluestone National Scenic River in West Virginia Apply for NPS 18 NERO 0152 Funding Number: NPS 18 NERO 0152 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $89,602 |
| Captive Propagation and Reintroduction of Large-flowered Fiddleneck (Amsinckia grandiflora) in Contra Costa, Alameda, and San Joaquin Counties, California - Phase 2 Monitoring Apply for BOR MP 18 N035 Funding Number: BOR MP 18 N035 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation Category: Environment Funding Amount: $273,464 |
| MANAGEMENT, INVASIVE VEGITATION WAKE ISLAND AIRFIELD Apply for POA52AF CESU 18 5 Funding Number: POA52AF CESU 18 5 Agency: Department of Defense, Alaska District Category: Environment Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) Apply for BOR MP 18 N032 Funding Number: BOR MP 18 N032 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation Category: Environment Funding Amount: $129,739 |
| INRMP MARINE SURVEYS WAKE ISLAND Apply for POA57AF CESU 18 07 Funding Number: POA57AF CESU 18 07 Agency: Department of Defense, Alaska District Category: Environment Funding Amount: $775,000 |
| Notice of Intent to Award to Navajo Nation Apply for BOR LC 18 N009 Funding Number: BOR LC 18 N009 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation Category: Environment Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Notice of Intent to Award to the University of Arizona Apply for OR LC 18 N015 Funding Number: OR LC 18 N015 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation Category: Environment Funding Amount: $89,051 |
| Notice of Intent to Award to the University of Arizona Apply for BOR LC 18 N015 Funding Number: BOR LC 18 N015 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation Category: Environment Funding Amount: $89,051 |
| Collaborative Implementation of Chesapeake Programs & Projects Apply for NPS 18 NERO 0160 Funding Number: NPS 18 NERO 0160 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $653,481 |
| White Clay Watershed Management Plan Implementation Apply for NPS 18 NERO 0163 Funding Number: NPS 18 NERO 0163 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $120,000 |
| 15.670 Adaptive Science Apply for F18AS00323 Funding Number: F18AS00323 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $93,500 |
| 15.658 Natural Resource Damage Assessment, Restoration and Implementation Apply for F18AS00325 Funding Number: F18AS00325 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $342,450 |
| 15.658 Natural Resource Damage Assessment, Restoration and Implementation Apply for F18AS00326 Funding Number: F18AS00326 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $568,521 |
| Notice of Intent to Award to the Hopi Tribe Apply for BOR LC 18 N016 Funding Number: BOR LC 18 N016 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation Category: Environment Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| James River Public Access, Recreational & Educational Programs Apply for NPS 18 NERO 0172 Funding Number: NPS 18 NERO 0172 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $182,100 |
| 15.678 Apply for F18AS00329 Funding Number: F18AS00329 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $179,735 |
| Clean Vessel Act Apply for F18AS00250 Funding Number: F18AS00250 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic River Assistance Apply for NPS 18 NERO 0183 Funding Number: NPS 18 NERO 0183 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| Resource Access, Programming & Visitor Services Apply for NPS 18 NERO 0184 Funding Number: NPS 18 NERO 0184 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $121,500 |
| VA State Parks Resource Access, Programming & Visitor Services Apply for NPS 18 NERO 0187 Funding Number: NPS 18 NERO 0187 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Environment Funding Amount: $133,034 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "P18AS00553", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.