Groundwater and Surficial Water Salinity Changes in Everglades National Park using Aerial Electromagnetic Surveys
🏛 Fort Worth District (DOD-COE-FW)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 4, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for Cooperative Ecosystem Study Units (CESUs) conducting research on saltwater intrusion in the Everglades. Only organizations in the Gulf Coast, Piedmont-South Atlantic Coast, and South Florida Caribbean CESU regions may apply. The project involves aerial electromagnetic surveys to measure groundwater and surface water salinity changes. Organizations must collaborate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District.
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Program description
NOTE: A complete study proposal and proposed budget are not requested at this time.
NOTE: The established CESU indirect rate is 17.5%. For any Cooperative Agreement entered into in response to this RSOI, a maximum 17.5% indirect cost rate will be paid on work covered by such agreement or any modifications thereto. Unless the agreement specifies otherwise, the basis of direct costs against which the agreement’s indirect cost rate is applied must be either the same base identified in the recipient’s federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement or, if the recipient does not have a federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, the Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) base.
TITLE OF PROJECT: Groundwater and Surficial Water Salinity Changes in Everglades National Park using Aerial Electromagnetic Surveys
SYNOPSIS OF PROJECT: This project will support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Jacksonville District by performing Aerial Electromagnetic (AEM) surveys to understand the current spatial extent and rate of saltwater intrusion in the ground and surface waters of the southern Florida Everglades. Results will be integrated with previous survey data conducted over the last 30 years to comprehend the impacts surrounding significant critical habitat loss. Future freshwater-saltwater interface trends will then be estimated to optimize management decisions tied to restoration efforts of the degraded wetland system.
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The Base Period of the agreement will extend 12 months from date of award. Four 12-month Follow-on Periods are anticipated based on availability of funding.
SUBMISSION OF STATEMENT OF INTEREST
• Statements of Interest (SOI) are due by Noon Central Time, 06 October 2026 via email to the parties listed below.
• Direct questions no later than Noon Central Time, 14 September 2026 via email to the parties listed below.
Cheryl R. Vendemia
Grants Specialist
USACE Fort Worth District
Email: Cheryl.R.Vendemia@usace.army.mil
and
Nicole Baker
Project Manager
USACE Fort Worth District
Email: Nicole.D.Baker@usace.army.mil
Timeline for Review of Statements of Interest: RSOIs are required to be posted on www.Grants.gov for 30 days prior to the Government making a decision and requesting full proposals.
Refer to RSOI Package for complete details. Award is anticipated in Fiscal Year 2027.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Statement of Interest
- Proposed project timeline and methodology
- Project team qualifications and organizational capacity
- Budget estimate (full budget proposal requested only after SOI acceptance)
Program contact
- 👤 Cheryl Vendemia Grantor
- 📧 cheryl.r.vendemia@usace.army.mil
- 📞 817-253-3341
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 12.005 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$104,256,557
-
$46,204,785
-
$42,188,833
-
$29,343,293
-
$25,536,048
-
$19,552,583
-
$15,967,466
-
$15,518,066
-
$14,569,316
-
$13,800,451
Top States by Funding
- HI 17 awards $74.1M
- CA 20 awards $54.0M
- AK 13 awards $42.4M
- CO 1 awards $42.2M
- LA 3 awards $32.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 12.005). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $49,167,599 | |
| 2025 | $112,165,475 | |
| 2026 est. | $115,000,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Only Cooperative Ecosystem Study Units in the Gulf Coast, Piedmont-South Atlantic Coast, and South Florida Caribbean regions. You must be part of an established CESU network.
What is the deadline and timeline?
Statements of Interest are due October 6, 2026. Full proposals will be requested after the 30-day RSOI review period. Award is anticipated in Fiscal Year 2027.
What activities are supported?
Aerial electromagnetic surveys to measure saltwater intrusion in Everglades groundwater and surface waters. Integration with historical survey data over 30 years for trend analysis.
What funding amounts are available?
Individual awards range from $300,000 to $1,657,690. Base period is 12 months with potential for four 12-month follow-on periods.
Is cost-sharing required?
No cost-sharing is required. The established indirect cost rate is 17.5% maximum on the Modified Total Direct Cost base.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Submit a clear Statement of Interest first; full proposals come only after RSOI review and government approval.
- Highlight integration with 30 years of historical survey data to demonstrate the research's value for adaptive management.
- Address how findings will support Everglades restoration and wetland habitat protection in the southern Florida ecosystem.
- Clearly explain the technical approach for aerial electromagnetic surveys and your team's capacity to execute the work.
- Coordinate early with USACE Jacksonville District project managers to align expectations and confirm regional CESU eligibility.
⚠️ Common mistakes
SOI submissions lack clear project justification or fail to demonstrate how results support USACE restoration priorities. Applicants unfamiliar with the CESU network structure overlook regional eligibility requirements. Weak narrative connections between survey data and specific management decisions hurt competitiveness.
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