IPM Research Grant

Now open! The application period for this grant is now open until November 27, 2023. 

Apply now 
Request for Proposals

Contact Information: 

Laura Butler
Aquaculture Coordinator, WSDA
lbutler@agr.wa.gov
(360) 810-0320

Overview:

Many of Washington's coastal shellfish farms are being negatively impacted by high population densities of burrowing shrimp that soften mudflats and cause shellfish to sink and suffocate. Many techniques have been tested to control the burrowing shrimp on shellfish farms but growers still lack an effective program for management. 

In an attempt to develop control measures while minimizing potential environmental impacts, grants associated with this funding are for research to assist with the development of an integrated pest management plan to address burrowing shrimp in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor and facilitate continued shellfish cultivation on tidelands. 

WSDA encourages applications from a variety of research areas and is particularly interested in supporting collaborative projects and partnerships among research institutions, agencies, and industry that have potential for rapid implementation. 

Grant Amount:

In the 2023-2025 state budget, the Washington State Legislature appropriated $2,000,000 of the model toxics control operating account for research grants to assist with the development of an integrated pest management plan to address burrowing shrimp in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor and facilitate continued shellfish cultivation on tidelands. After an 8% grand administration fee, $1,840,000 is available to award. Additional rounds of proposals possible. 

Timeline:

(subject to change)

What	When
Requests for proposals released	April 26, 2024
Deadline: Proposals due	May 28, 2024 by 5:00 p.m. PST
Notification to applicants	End of June
Contracts for signature	Early July
Project Duration	Project period closes June 30, 2025

Eligibility Requirements: 

• Expenditures can only be used for research to assist in the development of an integrated Pest Management Plan to address burrowing shrimp in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor. 
• Projects must be completed, and all deliverables received by June 30, 2025.
• Projects must demonstrate quality control and quality assurance principles required of all scientific research projects. 
• Projects must demonstrate there is a need and will clearly make an impact. 
• Projects may begin as soon as the grant is awarded and a contract with WSDA is executed. 
• Performance-based contracting requires grant recipients to have the financial capability to pay project costs up-front, and request reimbursement for grant funds.

Research Areas of Interest: 

Burrowing Shrimp

• Burrowing shrimp physical control methods (chemical, biological, mechanical) and potential costs of implementation and feasibility of each method. 
• Shellfish bed restoration methods
  • How to restore the bed to functional crop production? 
  • How do management practices on one bed impact the ecosystem and neighboring beds? 
• Burrowing shrimp long-term monitoring plan
  • Population
  • Distribution (mapping shrimp age classes, sediment type, vegetation, shellfish crop)
• Projected impacts of climate change on burrowing shrimp distribution and shellfish growing habitats. 

Economic Impacts of Washington's Shellfish Industry

• ​Economic impact of WA's coastal shellfish industry through farming output, value-added output, economic multipliers, job creation, and social and ecosystem services. 
• Measuring impact of burrowing shrimp on yield, economics, and current management practices. 
  • Quantitative evaluation of loss of ground and revenue because of burrowing shrimp.

Communication Strategies

• Identify, explore, and measure the factors surrounding communicating about burrowing shrimp. 
• Development and implementation of a public engagement strategy for the Integrated Pest Management Working Group to strengthen public understanding of the complex issue of burrowing shrimp.