IPM Research Grant

Release Date: October 29, 2025

Now open! The application period for this grant is now open until December 15, 2025, by 5:00pm PST 

Possible additional rounds of RFPs at a future date. Additional information will be forthcoming and shared via the WSDA Grant Opportunities webpage.
 
$276,000 is available for project funding. Projects must be completed, and all deliverables received by June 30, 2027. This document provides information and guidance for project development and submission of proposals.
 

Contact Information: 

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

Purpose:

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.

Timeline:

(subject to change)

What	When
Requests for proposals released	October 29, 2025
Deadline: Proposals due	December 15, 2025 by 5:00 pm PST
Notification to applicants	January 2026
Contracts for signature	Early February 2026
Project Duration	Project period closes Junes 30, 2027

Funding and Duration

In the 2025-2027 state budget, the Washington State Legislature appropriated
$300,000 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% grant administration fee, $276,000 is available to award.
Additional rounds of proposals possible.

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, 2027.
• 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.
• Contractor must demonstrate awareness and be able to work within the regulatory framework to successfully perform projects and determine feasibility of control methods in a sub-tidal aquatic environment in Washington State. This includes that the contractor be prepared to submit complete applications and protocols to obtain all the permits and authorizations from the regulating agencies with sufficient lead time and thoroughly prepared field work plans. Contractor must be available to meet with the technical advisory group of the IPM work group if necessary.

Research Areas of Interest

Burrowing Shrimp

• Integrated Pest Management projects to control burrowing shrimp using combinations of or singular control mechanisms such as physical, chemical, biological, and mechanical. Project should include potential costs of implementation, feasibility, and regulatory pathway of the 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 that surround 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.

 

General Requirements

Allowable Costs

All expenditures submitted for reimbursement under this grant must be necessary and reasonable for the approved grant project.
 

Indirect Costs

Indirect costs, including administrative overhead, are not allowed as part of your grant request. Indirect costs are costs incurred for common or joint objectives that cannot be identified specifically with a particular project, program, or organizational activity. Below are typical indirect costs for specific types of organizations. The salaries of administrative and clerical staff should normally be treated as indirect costs. Direct charging of these costs may be appropriate where all of the following conditions are met:

• Administrative or clerical services are integral to a project or activity
• Individuals involved can be specifically identified with the project or activity
• Such costs are explicitly included in the budget or have the prior written approval of the awarding agency
• The costs are not also recovered as indirect costs

The following are considered indirect and should not be included in the Budget as direct costs:

• Information technology services
• Rent
• Utilities and internet service
• Telephone service (mobile and land-line)
• General office supplies
• Insurance
• Maintenance

Invoicing

• Grantee must register in the Statewide Payee System before submitting a request for reimbursement. Grantee may register online at ofm.wa.gov/tech-support/statewide-vendor-payee-services/ WSDA can make no payments until registration is complete.

 
Funds for this grant must be claimed on a reimbursement basis. No payments in advance of or in anticipation of goods or services provided under this grant shall be requested or paid. All costs must be reported for the period incurred. Reimbursement requests must be submitted at least quarterly and no more than monthly. The invoice must be supported by appropriate receipts, paid invoices, and other financial records such as: payroll records, wage and benefit reports, travel logs, contractor invoices, etc. Voucher detail and documentation must be sufficient for WSDA to confirm that the expense is allowable, budgeted, and accurately calculated.
 

Grant Management

Award Recipients will sign a Grant Agreement with WSDA and must follow all applicable state rules and regulations, including those for insurance coverage, procurement practices, and accounting procedures. In addition, recipients will submit an annual performance report and a final report at project completion and must keep thorough records. Failure to properly manage a grant award may result in the obligation to repay grant funds and/or exclusion from future grant opportunities.
 

Expenditure Accounting

The grant recipient shall maintain all financial records according to generally accepted accounting procedures (GAAP) and have internal financial control systems in place to ensure that expenditures against the grant are reasonable and appropriate and that accounting records sufficiently and properly reflect all costs expended in performance of the grant.
 

Reporting Requirements

Reporting requirements include submission of a final report at the end of the project period, June 30, 2027. WSDA will require progress reports with each reimbursement request and quarterly virtual reports to the Integrated Pest Management Working Group. Award Recipients must be prepared to present in person at a Washington Sea Grant or Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association meeting/conference.
 

Reporting Retention

Financial management systems shall reflect accurate, current, and complete disclosure of financial results of the project. Grant recipients are to maintain books and records, supported by source documentation, that sufficiently and properly reflect the source of funds and all costs expended for program purposes. These records and financial statements are subject to inspection, review, reproduction, and/or audit by WSDA or its designees for at least six years after the dispersal of funds, the termination or expiration of the grant, or the resolution of litigation or audits related to the program, whichever is latest.
 

Termination

In the event WSDA determines a Contractor has failed to comply with the conditions of a contract, WSDA has the right to suspend or terminate the contract. In the event of termination or suspension, the Contractor shall be liable for damages as authorized by law including, but not limited to, any cost difference between the original contract and the replacement or cover contract and all administrative costs directly related to the replacement contract. In the event a permit or other authorization necessary to conduct field work is not secured, not followed, or contractor is found to be in violation, WSDA may determine the above actions a breach of contract and has the right to suspend or terminate the contract and withhold reimbursement of any funds that were used for unauthorized activities.
 

Application Review Process

 
Projects will be reviewed by the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Working Group established through a settlement agreement between Washington Department of Ecology and Willapa Grays Harbor Oyster Growers Association on October 15, 2019 of which WSDA is a member.
 
Upon receipt of application, WSDA will verify eligibility and basic study design. WSDA will then submit all applications to the IPM Working Group for their review and consideration. The IPM Working Group will score each Application based on the Scoring Criteria below and provide the scores to WSDA for review. Final project selection will be made by WSDA after incorporating the advice of the working group.
 

Application Scoring Criteria

 
Each application will be scored for each criterion listed below with a maximum point value. The evaluators will rate the proposal on each criterion. The sum of these scores determines the proposal’s overall ranking. A point-based scoring system is a quantitative method for evaluating grant proposals.
 

Project Narrative

Project Description and Rationale: Up to 15 Points

The purpose of this section is to help reviewers better understand what is being proposed. Applicants should clearly and precisely state the problem being addressed. Provide a strong rationale of the proposed project and how it addresses the needs of shellfish farms in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor to control burrowing shrimp. Includes detailed information on the economic and implementation feasibility of the project.
 

Project Goals and Objectives: Up to 20 Points

Applicants should include a detailed description of the goals of the project and hypotheses to be addressed. Provide a scope of work and overview of the major outcomes to be accomplished in the project. Research objectives should be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-constrained)
 

Project Methodology: UP to 20 Points

Explain the methodology for achieving the goals and objectives of the project. Propose a framework, approach, and analyses that are appropriate for the project. Provide details on data collection and analysis methods of your project.

Project Timeline: Up to 15 Points

Identify activities necessary to accomplish your project and indicate who will do the work for each activity. Include each activity’s start and end dates.
 
 

Applicant Qualifications: Up to 10 Points

Describe how the applicant is qualified for this work, including experience working through regulatory processes (if applicable).

Project Impact and Evaluation: Up to 10 Points

Explain how the project represents new insight or idea, with potential benefits made clear. Address how the project will address the near-term and long-term needs of the coastal shellfish growers in controlling burrowing shrimp.
 
 

Budget Narrative: Up to 10 Points

Based on cost effectiveness, timeline of fund execution. Provide the dollar amount requested for each budget category and explain how the funds will be used and why they are necessary. Include supplies and equipment. Detail services to be provided under contract and all other costs.
 
 

How to Apply

(Application on separate form)
 
Proposals must be submitted by December15, 2025, 5 p.m. PST. Proposals received after the deadline will not be considered. Additional rounds of request for proposals possible. Please send completed project proposals to Laura Butler, lbutler@agr.wa.gov
 
WSDA will send a receipt of confirmation once an application is received within 24 hours, however the agency does not assure responsibility for any e-mail delivery issues.
 
Failure to respond to any portion of the procurement document may result in rejection of the application as non-responsive. All applications and any accompanying document become the property of WSDA and will not be returned. Submission of an application does not guarantee applicants will receive funds.
 
Unsuccessful Application Notification: Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by e- mail.

What do I need to include with my application?

1. Grant Application
2. Complete bibliographic references are required for all citations.
3. Supporting maps, drawings, and photos for project proposal.
4. Curriculum vitae for each individual who will serve as principle investigator or co- principle investigator.

 
Additional information attached will not be considered part of the application.
 

Application Instructions

COVER PAGE

• Organization Name: Provide the name of the organization that will receive funding and manage the project.
• UBI#: Provide the organization’s Unified Business Identification Number.
• Organization Address/City/State/Zip: Please provide all for the organization applying.
• Project Title
• Provide the names, affiliations, address, phone, email and resumes of principal investigators and co-principal investigators who will significantly contribute to the project.
• Attach Curriculum vitae for each individual who will serve as principle investigator or co-investigator to the application
• Contact Name/Title: Provide the contact name and title for the lead on the project.
• Phone: Provide the phone number for the lead on the project.
• Email: Provide the email for the lead on the project.
• Grant Request: Provide the dollar amount for the funds you are requesting.
• Printed Name of Authorized Applicant/Title: Provide the name and title of the individual certifying the application.

 

Project Narrative

(Complete bibliographic references are required for all citations.)
 

Project Description and Rationale

Provide a clear and concise description of the project in terms that are understandable by individuals that are not experts in your field.

• How does the proposed project relate to the development of an IPM to address burrowing shrimp in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor?
• How will the project address the issue, problem or need?
• Include information on economic and implementation feasibility for your project.

Project Goals and Objectives

Provide a scientific description of the project that can be understood by specialists from other disciplines and well-informed readers. All of the following must be addressed:

• What are the goals of the project and hypotheses to be addressed?
• Explain the project objectives and approach for achieving goals.

 

Project Methodology

• Describe the methods and approach to be used in accomplishing the objectives.
• Provide a detailed outline of study design, data collection, and analysis methods of your project.
• How will the project activities be evaluated for effectiveness in meeting the project goals and objectives?
• Describe permits required for this work.

 

Project Timeline

• Indicate who will do the work of each activity.
• Include the timeline for accomplishing each activity. Include start and end dates.

 

Applicant Qualifications

• Describe applicants’ qualifications for this work.
• ​Describe relevant experience working through regulatory processes.

Project Impact and Evaluation

• Briefly summarize the qualifications of all investigators and partnerships that will contribute to the proposed work.
• Describe the organization strength and capacity in addressing this problem.
• Explain how the project represents a new insight or idea, with potential benefits made clear.
• Explain how the project will address the near-term and long-term needs of coastal shellfish growers in controlling burrowing shrimp.

 

Budget Narrative

• Provide the dollar amount requested for each budget category and explain how the funds will be used and why they are necessary.
• Supplies
• Equipment: Items with a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more must follow the State Procurement rules.
• Contractual: Services to be provided under a contract. The State Procurement rules must be followed.
• Travel: Ground transportation, lodging, meals, and mileage. Travel rates may not exceed the reimbursement rates allowed by Washington State and the Federal government. For these rates, please view Travel and Reimbursement Rates. Travel costs for contractors should be included under “Contractual.”
• Other: Includes all other costs.