Opportunity Information: Apply for P18AS00599
The grant opportunity titled "Management Implications of Winter Emergence Behavior of Indiana Bats and Tricolored Bats" (Funding Opportunity Number P18AS00599) was a discretionary funding announcement from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. It was offered as a cooperative agreement, which usually means the National Park Service expected to have an active role in the project as it was carried out, rather than simply providing funds and stepping back. The activity category was Natural Resources and it was listed under CFDA 15.945, aligning it with federal assistance programs connected to resource conservation and management.
The central purpose of the project was to study winter behavior in two bat species of high conservation concern: the Indiana bat and the tricolored bat. Specifically, the project aimed to investigate torpor patterns and winter cave emergence behavior. Torpor is a lowered metabolic state that allows bats to conserve energy during cold months when insects are scarce, and emergence behavior refers to bats leaving their winter roosts (typically caves or mines) during the hibernation season. Understanding when, why, and under what conditions bats emerge in winter can directly affect how caves are managed, when human access should be restricted, and how conservation staff interpret bat activity near hibernation sites.
From a management angle, the opportunity focused on translating behavioral findings into practical implications for protecting these species and their habitats, especially within or near park-managed cave systems. Winter emergence can be influenced by temperature swings, humidity changes, disturbance, disease pressures, and energetic stress. Because emerging in winter can be risky and energetically expensive, documenting emergence timing and frequency can help managers evaluate whether bats are being disturbed, whether microclimate conditions inside caves are stable, and whether additional protective measures are needed during sensitive periods. Although the short description does not spell out methods, research of this type typically involves monitoring cave conditions and bat activity through non-invasive techniques such as dataloggers for temperature and humidity, acoustic detectors at cave entrances, infrared or thermal imaging, or limited and carefully controlled surveys designed to minimize disturbance.
Eligibility for the award included private institutions of higher education, as well as other applicants described in additional eligibility text (not provided in the excerpt). The maximum award amount (award ceiling) was $27,678, indicating a small, targeted research effort rather than a large multi-year program. The posting was created on August 29, 2018, and the original closing date was September 7, 2018, which suggests a short application window consistent with many time-sensitive or narrowly scoped cooperative research needs. The listing shows expected awards as 0, which can appear in some postings when the agency is unsure whether an award will be made, expects to fund via a specific partner, or uses the announcement to satisfy procedural requirements even when funding is limited.
In practical terms, this opportunity was about filling a specific knowledge gap that can improve winter cave and bat management decisions. By clarifying how Indiana bats and tricolored bats use torpor and when they emerge during winter, the National Park Service could better time cave closures, refine visitor and staff access protocols, assess potential disturbance impacts, and strengthen conservation strategies for vulnerable bat populations that rely on stable hibernation conditions.Apply for P18AS00599
- The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Management Implications of Winter Emergence Behavior of Indiana Bats and Tricolored Bats" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.945.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 29, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 07, 2018. (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 $27,678.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education, 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 and identifier of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity was titled "Management Implications of Winter Emergence Behavior of Indiana Bats and Tricolored Bats" and had Funding Opportunity Number P18AS00599.
Which federal agency offered this funding?
The funding announcement came from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS).
What type of award was it?
It was offered as a cooperative agreement. This generally indicates the National Park Service expected to play an active role in the project during performance, rather than only providing funding with minimal involvement.
What is the activity category for the opportunity?
The activity category was Natural Resources, reflecting a focus on conservation and management of wildlife and related habitats.
What CFDA number was associated with this opportunity?
The listing referenced CFDA 15.945, aligning it with federal assistance programs connected to resource conservation and management.
What was the central purpose of the project?
The project aimed to study winter behavior in two bat species of high conservation concern: the Indiana bat and the tricolored bat. The focus was on torpor patterns and winter cave emergence behavior.
Which bat species were the focus of the research?
The opportunity specifically targeted the Indiana bat and the tricolored bat.
What does "torpor" mean in the context of this project?
Torpor refers to a lowered metabolic state bats use to conserve energy during cold months, when insect prey is scarce. Understanding torpor patterns helps interpret how bats cope with winter conditions.
What does "winter emergence behavior" refer to?
Winter emergence behavior refers to bats leaving their winter roosts (commonly caves or mines) during the hibernation season. This behavior can be important for interpreting bat activity and assessing potential stressors or disturbances.
Why is winter emergence important from a management perspective?
Because emerging in winter can be risky and energetically expensive, tracking when and how often bats emerge can help managers evaluate potential disturbance, assess whether cave microclimates remain stable, and decide whether additional protections or access limits are needed during sensitive periods.
What kinds of management decisions could this research inform?
The results were intended to translate into practical implications for protecting bats and their habitats, especially within or near park-managed cave systems. Examples mentioned include timing cave closures, refining visitor and staff access protocols, interpreting winter bat activity near hibernation sites, and strengthening conservation strategies that depend on stable hibernation conditions.
What factors can influence winter emergence in bats?
The description notes that winter emergence can be influenced by temperature swings, humidity changes, disturbance, disease pressures, and energetic stress.
Were specific research methods required or described?
The short description did not spell out required methods. It notes that research of this type typically uses non-invasive approaches such as cave temperature and humidity dataloggers, acoustic detectors at cave entrances, infrared or thermal imaging, or limited and carefully controlled surveys designed to minimize disturbance.
Why does the opportunity emphasize non-invasive or low-disturbance approaches?
The purpose is to understand winter behavior while minimizing additional stress or disturbance to bats during hibernation, when energy conservation is critical.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility included private institutions of higher education. The announcement also referenced additional eligible applicants in eligibility text that was not provided in the excerpt.
What was the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling (maximum amount) was $27,678, suggesting a small, targeted research effort rather than a large multi-year program.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The posting was created on August 29, 2018, and the original closing date was September 7, 2018, indicating a short application window.
What does it mean that the listing showed "expected awards" as 0?
The listing showed expected awards as 0, which can appear when an agency is unsure whether an award will be made, expects to fund through a specific partner, or uses the announcement to meet procedural requirements even when funding is limited.
What problem or knowledge gap was this opportunity trying to address?
It was intended to fill a specific knowledge gap about how Indiana bats and tricolored bats use torpor and when they emerge during winter, so that cave and bat management decisions can be better timed and better targeted.
How could findings about emergence timing and frequency be used by park managers?
Findings could help managers determine whether bats may be responding to disturbance, evaluate whether cave conditions are stable, and adjust protective measures such as seasonal access restrictions or operational protocols around hibernation sites.
Is this opportunity described as discretionary funding?
Yes. It was described as a discretionary funding announcement from the National Park Service.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Natural Resources
Next opportunity: Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program
Previous opportunity: Essex National Heritage Area
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 P18AS00599
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (P18AS00599) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Interns at Weir Farm National Historic Site Apply for P18AS00534 Funding Number: P18AS00534 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $62,271 |
| Batty About Bats Apply for P18AS00606 Funding Number: P18AS00606 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $36,600 |
| : Invasive Plant Control: Implementing Integrated Pest Management at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Apply for P18AS00612 Funding Number: P18AS00612 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $45,000 |
| ANALYZING 14 YEARS OF LANDBIRD DATA FOR THE NORTHERN COLORADO PLATEAU I&M NETWORK Apply for P18AS00614 Funding Number: P18AS00614 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $48,650 |
| NOTICE OF INTENT: Augmented Reality Diorama Project Apply for P18AS00615 Funding Number: P18AS00615 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $40,000 |
| GIS Intern for natural resource projects Apply for P18AS00616 Funding Number: P18AS00616 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $36,600 |
| Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program Apply for BOR UC 18 N018 Funding Number: BOR UC 18 N018 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $262,000 |
| New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission Assistance for Implementation of the Middle Rio Grande Biological Opinion Apply for BOR UC 18 N017 Funding Number: BOR UC 18 N017 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,050,000 |
| NOTICE OF INTENT: Kiowa County, Colorado, Murdock Building Agreement Apply for P18AS00618 Funding Number: P18AS00618 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $1,803,381 |
| Ku No Ka Pono o Haleakala Apply for P18AS00623 Funding Number: P18AS00623 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $72,866 |
| Preserve and Interpret Manzanar's Layers of History, Manzanar National HS Apply for P18AS00469 Funding Number: P18AS00469 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Proactive Risk Based Unstable Slope Assessment in Transportation Corridors Apply for P18AS00624 Funding Number: P18AS00624 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $80,000 |
| Research various forms of transportation used during the Cherokee Removal Apply for P18AS00626 Funding Number: P18AS00626 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| New Mexico Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office Fish and Aquatic Conservation Apply for F18AS00332 Funding Number: F18AS00332 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $47,762 |
| Southwest Region Migratory Bird Program Apply for F18AS00333 Funding Number: F18AS00333 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $203,818 |
| Fuels Treatment Projects at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Apply for P18AS00629 Funding Number: P18AS00629 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| PWR Cultural Landscapes Inventory Internship Apply for P18AS00630 Funding Number: P18AS00630 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $140,000 |
| Natural Resource Conservation Projects for Youth Engagement and Development within the Pacific Island Network Parks Apply for P18AS00632 Funding Number: P18AS00632 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $988,468 |
| Notice of Intent: 2018 ACES Conference Support Apply for USGS FA 18 0350 Funding Number: USGS FA 18 0350 Agency: Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act Grants Apply for F18AS00330 Funding Number: F18AS00330 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Natural Resources Funding Amount: $200,000 |
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 "P18AS00599", 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.