The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced a Request for Proposals (RFP) on May 12 soliciting grant proposals that address research and communications needs for White-Nose Syndrome (WNS). WNS is a fungal disease affecting hibernating bats, often with significant mortality; WNS or evidence of the fungus that causes WNS has been reported in 28 states and five Canadian provinces. The FWS has targeted $250,000 in available grant funds for non-federal agencies to support the priority needs outlined in the White-Nose Syndrome National Plan. The Wildlife Management Institute administers the WNS Small Grants program on behalf of the FWS.

The RFP's priority topics include: research on the efficacy and safety of WNS treatments; small-scale ecological, physiological, or epidemiological studies with broader implications for WNS management; and development of outreach and education programs or tools for WNS communications. The RFP requests potential applicants carefully review the full RFP including the frequently asked questions before submitting a proposal. Grant requests cannot exceed $30,000 and non-federal match funding is not required, though encouraged. Proposals should be emailed in MS Word format to WMI Vice President, Scot Williamson by 5 p.m. EDT on June 13, 2015.

To view the RFP or to learn more about White-Nose Syndrome, please visit whitenosesyndrome.org.