Opportunity Information: Apply for W81EWF 24 SOI 0011
The Natural and Nature-Based Features (NNBFs) in Water Resources Planning opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number W81EWF 24 SOI 0011) is a research-focused cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC). It targets science and technology work that helps planners and engineers better integrate natural and engineered nature-based approaches into water resources infrastructure, with the goal of delivering combined economic, environmental, and social benefits. The central idea is to advance how NNBFs are planned, designed, and implemented by improving the modeling tools used to predict how these features perform and change over long time horizons.
The technical emphasis is on developing and applying a mix of process-based modeling and data-driven methods, including data science, machine learning (ML), and artificial intelligence (AI). ERDCs Ecohydrology Team at the Environmental Laboratory is specifically looking for approaches that can simulate how NNBFs evolve within their surrounding environmental context over decadal timescales and under a range of possible loading conditions (for example, changing hydrology, storms, sediment transport, sea level influences, or other stressors relevant to water resources systems). A key motivation is that conventional models often struggle to capture long-term, coupled physical and ecological dynamics at the level needed for practical design and management decisions, so hybrid approaches that combine physics-based understanding with ML/AI learning from data are of high interest.
A major component of the work is foundational synthesis: the project calls for data science efforts and structured literature review to identify, categorize, and compile what is already known about NNBF performance from past experiments, demonstrations, monitoring programs, and applied projects. That synthesized evidence base is intended to support parameterization and calibration of next-generation hybrid models, and to make it easier to compare NNBF types, settings, and outcomes in a consistent way. In practical terms, the effort is aimed at turning scattered results from the literature into usable inputs for engineering-oriented models and decision support.
The program objectives are organized around producing concise written products rather than long multi-year field campaigns. Specifically, the RampD objectives emphasize (1) literature reviews that describe the current state of research and practice, and (2) short reports that lay out methods, tasks, and deliverables for targeted subtopics. The four subtopic areas listed are: (a) the role of AI/ML in supporting NNBF research and design, (b) modeling feedbacks between physical processes and natural or ecological systems, (c) characterizing NNBF performance and associated risk-reduction benefits, and (d) engineered design of NNBFs. Each literature review and short report is expected to be under 10 pages and include supporting materials such as citations, background data, and code where relevant, signaling an emphasis on reproducibility and practical utility.
Eligibility is limited: applications are restricted to non-federal partners of the Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU). That limitation is important because otherwise capable institutions may not qualify unless they are part of that CESU network as an eligible non-federal partner. The award is expected to be a single cooperative agreement, with an anticipated award ceiling of $40,000 and one expected award. The original closing date listed is 2024-02-22, and the CFDA number associated with the opportunity is 12.630.
The notice also highlights compliance and disclosure expectations around current and pending support. Applicants are warned that disclosures made in the application can affect eligibility, and ERDC may request updated information both before award and throughout the period of performance; those updates can be reviewed and could lead to discontinuation of funding if issues arise. Finally, the announcement reiterates that religious organizations may compete on equal footing with secular organizations for federal financial assistance, consistent with Executive Order 13798.Apply for W81EWF 24 SOI 0011
- The Engineer Research and Development Center in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Natural and Nature-Based Features (NNBFs) in Water Resources Planning" 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 2023-12-22.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-02-22. (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 $40,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
FAQs: Natural and Nature-Based Features (NNBFs) in Water Resources Planning (W81EWF 24 SOI 0011)
What is this grant opportunity?
This is a research-focused cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) titled "Natural and Nature-Based Features (NNBFs) in Water Resources Planning" (Funding Opportunity Number W81EWF 24 SOI 0011).
What is the overall purpose of the program?
The program aims to improve how planners and engineers integrate natural and engineered nature-based approaches into water resources infrastructure. The goal is to support combined economic, environmental, and social benefits by advancing how NNBFs are planned, designed, and implemented.
What is the main technical idea behind the work?
The central idea is to improve modeling tools used to predict how NNBFs perform and change over long time horizons. The focus is on better prediction of long-term evolution and performance so the results can support practical design and management decisions.
Who is the sponsor and which ERDC group is highlighted?
The sponsor is ERDC, and the opportunity specifically highlights ERDC's Ecohydrology Team at the Environmental Laboratory as looking for approaches aligned with the described modeling and synthesis needs.
Is this opportunity more about fieldwork or analysis and writing?
Based on the stated objectives, it is more oriented toward foundational synthesis, literature review, and concise written products (plus supporting materials such as citations, background data, and code where relevant) rather than long, multi-year field campaigns.
What kinds of methods does ERDC want to see in this work?
The technical emphasis is on a mix of process-based modeling and data-driven methods, including data science, machine learning (ML), and artificial intelligence (AI), especially where hybrid approaches combine physics-based understanding with ML/AI learning from data.
What types of modeling challenges is this opportunity trying to address?
The notice points to the limitations of conventional models in capturing long-term, coupled physical and ecological dynamics at a level needed for practical design and management decisions. The opportunity is looking for approaches that better represent those coupled dynamics over decadal timescales.
Over what time horizon should NNBF evolution be simulated?
The opportunity emphasizes simulating how NNBFs evolve over decadal timescales and across a range of possible loading conditions.
What kinds of environmental conditions or stressors are mentioned?
Examples of loading conditions and stressors include changing hydrology, storms, sediment transport, sea level influences, and other stressors relevant to water resources systems.
What is meant by "hybrid" modeling in this context?
In this opportunity, hybrid modeling refers to combining physics-based (process-based) understanding with data-driven learning (such as ML/AI) so the model can better capture complex, coupled physical and ecological dynamics and improve long-term performance prediction.
What is the "foundational synthesis" component?
A major component is data science and structured literature review to identify, categorize, and compile existing knowledge about NNBF performance from prior experiments, demonstrations, monitoring programs, and applied projects.
Why is the literature synthesis important to the modeling goals?
The synthesized evidence base is intended to support parameterization and calibration of next-generation hybrid models, and to make it easier to compare NNBF types, settings, and outcomes consistently. The practical aim is to turn scattered literature results into usable inputs for engineering-oriented models and decision support.
What are the program objectives and expected deliverables?
The RampD objectives emphasize (1) literature reviews describing the current state of research and practice, and (2) short reports that lay out methods, tasks, and deliverables for targeted subtopics.
What subtopics are listed for the literature reviews and short reports?
The four subtopic areas listed are: (a) the role of AI/ML in supporting NNBF research and design, (b) modeling feedbacks between physical processes and natural or ecological systems, (c) characterizing NNBF performance and associated risk-reduction benefits, and (d) engineered design of NNBFs.
How long should each literature review and short report be?
Each literature review and short report is expected to be under 10 pages.
Are applicants expected to include anything beyond the written narrative?
Yes. Each product is expected to include supporting materials such as citations, background data, and code where relevant, reflecting an emphasis on reproducibility and practical utility.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to non-federal partners of the Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU).
What does the eligibility limitation imply for otherwise qualified organizations?
The limitation is significant because institutions that are not eligible non-federal partners of the Colorado Plateau CESU would not qualify to apply under the terms described.
What type of award is expected?
The notice indicates a single cooperative agreement is expected.
How many awards are anticipated?
One award is expected.
What is the maximum funding amount mentioned?
The anticipated award ceiling is $40,000.
What is the closing date listed in the notice?
The original closing date listed is 2024-02-22.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number associated with the opportunity is 12.630.
Are there compliance or disclosure requirements related to other funding?
Yes. The notice highlights compliance and disclosure expectations around current and pending support. Disclosures in the application can affect eligibility, and ERDC may request updated information before award and throughout the period of performance.
Can updated disclosures affect funding after an award is made?
Yes. The notice states that updated information can be reviewed and could lead to discontinuation of funding if issues arise.
Can religious organizations apply?
Yes. The announcement reiterates that religious organizations may compete on equal footing with secular organizations for federal financial assistance, consistent with Executive Order 13798.
What kinds of results is ERDC trying to make easier for engineers and planners to use?
The effort is aimed at producing usable inputs for engineering-oriented models and decision support by organizing and synthesizing NNBF performance evidence in a consistent, comparable way across NNBF types, settings, and outcomes.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: Promoting U.S. Study: A Tribute to 75 Years of U.S-Jordan Relations EducationUSA College Fair.
Previous opportunity: Head Start/Early Head Start Recipient -- Communities in the state of Illinois
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 W81EWF 24 SOI 0011
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (W81EWF 24 SOI 0011) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| U.S. Embassy San Jose Public Diplomacy Section Girls in STEAM Project Apply for PD 001 FY2024 Funding Number: PD 001 FY2024 Agency: U.S. Mission to Costa Rica Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Responsible Design, Development, and Deployment of Technologies Apply for 24 524 Funding Number: 24 524 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Ecosystem Services Evaluation Decision Research and Development Apply for W81EWF 24 SOI 0014 Funding Number: W81EWF 24 SOI 0014 Agency: Engineer Research and Development Center Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $525,000 |
| Defense Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Consortium (DSEC) Cooperative Agreement Apply for W911NF24S0003 Funding Number: W911NF24S0003 Agency: Dept of the Army -- Materiel Command Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $190,000,000 |
| Algorithms for Threat Detection Apply for 24 526 Funding Number: 24 526 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Natural Resource Support -Desert Tortoise Monitoring, EAFB, CA. Apply for W9126G 24 2 SOI 1138 Funding Number: W9126G 24 2 SOI 1138 Agency: Fort Worth District Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,906,647 |
| NIJ FY24 Research on the Abuse, Neglect, and Financial Exploitation of Older Adults Apply for O NIJ 2024 171942 Funding Number: O NIJ 2024 171942 Agency: National Institute of Justice Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| FY 2024 Phase I Release 2 Apply for DE FOA 0003202 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003202 Agency: Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,850,000 |
| NIJ FY24 Graduate Research Fellowship Apply for O NIJ 2024 171946 Funding Number: O NIJ 2024 171946 Agency: National Institute of Justice Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,250,000 |
| NIJ FY24 National Juvenile Court Data Archive Apply for O NIJ 2024 171947 Funding Number: O NIJ 2024 171947 Agency: National Institute of Justice Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| GROWING CONVERGENCE RESEARCH Apply for 24 527 Funding Number: 24 527 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $3,600,000 |
| Innovations in Graduate Education (IGE) Program Apply for 24 529 Funding Number: 24 529 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Campus Cyberinfrastructure Apply for 24 530 Funding Number: 24 530 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,200,000 |
| NIJ FY24 NIJ FY24 Domestic Radicalization and Violent Extremism - Invited to Apply Apply for O NIJ 2024 171954 Funding Number: O NIJ 2024 171954 Agency: National Institute of Justice Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $127,591 |
| Technical assistance with riparian ecosystem monitoring along the Middle Rio Grande Apply for W81EWF 24 SOI 0015 Funding Number: W81EWF 24 SOI 0015 Agency: Engineer Research and Development Center Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $470,000 |
| Assessment of oyster reefs in the Piankatank River, VA Apply for W81EWF 24 SOI 0016 Funding Number: W81EWF 24 SOI 0016 Agency: Engineer Research and Development Center Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| NIJ FY24 Longitudinal Research on Delinquency and Crime Apply for O NIJ 2024 171957 Funding Number: O NIJ 2024 171957 Agency: National Institute of Justice Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Civic Innovation Challenge Apply for 24 534 Funding Number: 24 534 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| NIJ FY24 Research and Evaluation on Trafficking in Persons Apply for O NIJ 2024 171960 Funding Number: O NIJ 2024 171960 Agency: National Institute of Justice Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| NIJ FY24 Research and Evaluation on Violence Against Women Apply for O NIJ 2024 171963 Funding Number: O NIJ 2024 171963 Agency: National Institute of Justice Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,300,000 |
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 "W81EWF 24 SOI 0011", 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.