Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Grant Program
FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute’s Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Grant Program supports projects that address priority recommendations of the HAB Task Force. Annual funding opportunities may be provided by either competitive or targeted solicitations.
2022-24 Call for Proposals
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC), Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) is seeking grant applications to address selected recommendations of the Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force regarding red tide (Karenia brevis) blooms.
Funding Opportunity
This program is intended to deliver progress in the identified focal areas. This round of funding supports a limited subset of recommendations, in particular priorities identified in Consensus Document #2: Progress and Recommendations Regarding Red Tide (Karenia brevis) Blooms pages 14-15. The selected vendor(s) project(s) will address one or more of the following:
- Improve the ability to evaluate the severity of Karenia brevis blooms and the broad socioeconomic impacts from blooms for consistent, comparable measurements across years.
- Develop ecological models that predict the initiation, progress, or termination of Karenia brevis blooms and their impacts.
- Improve early detection of Karenia brevis and brevetoxins to enhance rapid response.
Eligible projects must have a scope of work limited to 18 months. Project budgets should not exceed $300,000 for an 18-month project period beginning January 2, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024. Projects must be outcome driven and provide substantial deliverables (tangible products or outputs).
Important Dates
CLOSED: June 30, 2022: Submissions Due by 5:00 p.m. EDT
August 29, 2022: Award notifications
NOTICE: Award notices delayed, anticipated by September 2.
To Apply
Review the full call for proposals for submission guidelines.
Previously Funded Projects
Development of a red tide communications plan for Florida
Principal Investigator: Lisa Krimsky, Florida Sea Grant, University of Florida
Co-Principal Investigators: Elizabeth Staugler, Dr. Nancy Montes, Florida Sea Grant, UF; Dr. Chris Simoniello, Texas A&M University
Summary: The goal of the proposed project is to advance red tide communications by aligning practitioner needs with end-user wants by developing a better social science understanding of preferred red tide information, formats and delivery modes.
Award: $92,471, 1 year
Final Reports: Project summary and outcomes reports are available on the UF Sea Grant project webpage
An in situ holographic imaging system for measuring distributions of Karenia brevis
Principal Investigator: Dr. Aditya Nayak, Florida Atlantic University
Co-Principal Investigators: Dr. Timothy Moore, Dr. Malcolm McFarland, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, FAU; Dr. Lisa Nyman, FAU; Chad Lembke, University of South Florida; Jason Law, USF
Summary: The proposed project will further develop a novel imaging technology system to improve real-time detection of Karenia brevis in water. The technology is expected to examine large bodies of water at faster rates and greater range of detection than current technologies, significantly enhancing current red tide monitoring efforts in western Florida.
Award: $234,433, 1 year
Final Reports: Outcomes and future directions
Field deployable measurement of aerosolized brevetoxins from Karenia brevis using colorimetric immunoassay
Principal Investigator: Dr. Myoseon Jang, University of Florida
Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Dail Laughinghouse, University of Florida
Contractor Lead: Dr. Jennifer R McAll, Seatox Research
Summary: In this project, a colorimetric immunoassay will be developed for measurement of brevetoxins in aerosolized Karenia brevis cultures. It will lay the foundation for future development of a field-deployable, competitive-type colorimetric enzyme immunoassay for monitoring of aerosolized brevetoxin B during K. brevis blooms.
Award: $200,000, 1 year