Opportunity Information: Apply for W81EWF 22 SOI 0037
The Engineering with Nature Research Program grant opportunity focused on Microbial Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) research effort aimed at reducing the downstream risks that follow major wildfires, especially in the arid and semi-arid western United States. The opportunity is framed around a growing national problem: large wildfires strip vegetation, change soil structure, and can create water-repellent soil conditions that sharply reduce infiltration and drive faster runoff. Those shifts increase erosion, destabilize channels, and accelerate sediment delivery into streams and reservoirs, which can reduce reservoir storage and compromise the performance of flood control and navigation infrastructure. The grant also ties wildfire impacts to compounding hazards like post-fire flash flooding and debris flows, referencing real-world examples such as the Montecito disaster following the Thomas Fire. In short, the government is looking for practical, scalable approaches that protect communities and critical infrastructure from the cascading effects of wildfire-altered watersheds.
The technical goal of the project is to evaluate whether MICP can serve as a sustainable, nature-based, and cost-effective soil treatment to improve the mechanical behavior of soils damaged or altered by wildfire, with a particular emphasis on lowering erosion potential. MICP is presented as a biologically driven ground improvement method that uses naturally occurring bacteria to precipitate calcium carbonate (CaCO3). This precipitated mineral can act like a cementing agent, binding soil grains together and increasing strength. Compared with conventional chemical stabilizers, the opportunity highlights MICP as lower energy, environmentally friendly, and not introducing traditional contaminants into soils. While MICP has been used more commonly in geotechnical applications for sandy soils, the program is specifically interested in how it performs on wildfire-affected soils, and whether it can also help counter drought-related drying by improving soil moisture retention in a way that reduces erosion and slows runoff.
The anticipated work combines laboratory testing with a real-world field demonstration. The government lab, the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), plans to perform an initial literature review on both MICP and wildfire effects on soils to identify the most promising soil types and conditions for treatment, and to ground the project in lessons learned from districts that regularly deal with wildfire impacts. After that ERDC-led scoping, the award recipient (working closely with ERDC and a principal investigator) is expected to carry out a sequence of practical research activities. These begin with identifying suitable wildfire-affected sampling sites, likely in regions served by USACE districts such as Sacramento and Albuquerque, where wildfire recovery and forest restoration work is common and where supporting datasets and agency experience (for example from NRCS, USGS, and USACE) can help select meaningful locations.
Once sites are selected, the project involves collecting and transporting soil samples from burned areas for testing in ERDC and university laboratories, with an expected collection volume on the order of nine 5-gallon buckets. The laboratory program then moves into standard geotechnical characterization and strength testing, including index testing such as sieve analysis, specific gravity, and organic content, along with shear strength evaluation using triaxial and direct shear tests. In parallel, the work calls for microscopic mineral identification to better understand soil composition and how wildfire may have altered mineralogy or bonding behavior. Importantly, the opportunity stresses that these tests should follow typical ASTM procedures and use standard laboratory equipment, which signals a preference for results that are comparable, repeatable, and defensible in an engineering context.
A core portion of the research is optimizing the MICP treatment itself. That optimization includes determining the treatment duration and application frequency, selecting bacterial concentrations, and choosing nutrient formulations that support bacterial growth and effective carbonate precipitation. This part of the work explicitly calls for bio-engineering expertise, reflecting that MICP performance depends heavily on biological and chemical conditions, not just soil mechanics. After optimization, the treated soils are to be tested again to quantify changes in shear strength, infiltration behavior, and erodibility. The opportunity calls for triplicate testing to support repeatability, and it anticipates that findings will be written up as a data report and/or a technical paper, indicating an expectation of publishable-quality documentation rather than purely internal notes.
The final major element is a field demonstration at one of the sampled wildfire sites deemed most suitable for showing how the treatment could be applied outside the laboratory. The field work is expected to compare wildfire-exposed sections with unexposed control sections and to use field testing methods such as infiltration measurements, erodibility testing, and plate load tests. The program anticipates coordination between ERDC and university team members on the test plan, treatment application protocol, and timing, with field deployment requiring travel, application tools, growth media, and the selected bacterial strain. As with the lab work, the field effort is expected to produce documented results and analysis in a formal report and/or technical publication.
From a public benefit perspective, the opportunity sits within the broader Engineering with Nature (EWN) philosophy, which emphasizes aligning natural processes with engineering outcomes to deliver economic, environmental, and social value in a sustainable way. If MICP proves effective for post-fire soils, the payoff could be significant: reduced erosion in burned watersheds, slower runoff response during storms, less sediment loading into channels and reservoirs, and ultimately a lower likelihood of destructive debris flows and flash floods that threaten downstream communities and USACE flood protection projects. The description also notes that the work connects to prior EWN efforts at Santa Clara Pueblo in northern New Mexico, and it signals that projects on Native American lands should be designed and implemented in ways that respect and align with community culture and priorities.
Administratively, this was posted as a discretionary funding opportunity by the Department of Defense, Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The funding instrument type is a cooperative agreement, which typically implies substantial agency involvement during performance (consistent with ERDC guidance throughout the activities described). The opportunity number is W81EWF 22 SOI 0037, under CFDA 12.630, with an award ceiling of $150,000 and an expectation of one award. The posting lists an original closing date of October 17, 2022, and eligibility is described broadly as "Others" with additional clarification referenced in the full notice.Apply for W81EWF 22 SOI 0037
- The Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- Corps of Engineers in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Engineering with Nature Research Program - Microbial Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.630.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 18, 2022.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 17, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $150,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1) What is this grant opportunity about?
This opportunity supports research under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineering with Nature (EWN) Research Program to evaluate Microbial Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) as a practical soil treatment for soils affected by wildfire. The emphasis is on reducing erosion and downstream hazards that increase after major fires, particularly in arid and semi-arid areas of the western United States.
2) Why is USACE interested in post-wildfire soils?
Large wildfires can remove vegetation, alter soil structure, and create water-repellent conditions that reduce infiltration and speed up runoff. These changes can increase erosion, destabilize channels, and deliver more sediment to streams and reservoirs, reducing reservoir storage and affecting flood control and navigation infrastructure. The opportunity also links wildfire impacts to post-fire flash flooding and debris flows, citing real-world events like the Montecito disaster after the Thomas Fire.
3) What is MICP (Microbial Induced Calcite Precipitation)?
MICP is a biologically driven ground improvement method that uses naturally occurring bacteria to precipitate calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The precipitated mineral can act as a cementing agent that binds soil grains together, potentially increasing soil strength and improving mechanical behavior.
4) What makes MICP different from conventional chemical soil stabilizers?
Based on the opportunity description, MICP is presented as a lower-energy and more environmentally friendly approach that does not introduce traditional contaminants into soils, compared with conventional chemical stabilizers.
5) What problem is the project trying to solve in practical terms?
The project is aimed at reducing the cascading downstream risks that follow wildfire-altered watershed behavior, including higher erosion potential, faster runoff response, increased sediment delivery, and the resulting heightened risk of flash floods and debris flows that can threaten communities and critical USACE infrastructure.
6) What are the main technical objectives of the work?
The technical goal is to evaluate whether MICP can serve as a sustainable, nature-based, and cost-effective soil treatment for wildfire-damaged or wildfire-altered soils, with a strong focus on reducing erosion potential. The description also notes interest in whether MICP could help counter drought-related drying by improving soil moisture retention in a way that reduces erosion and slows runoff.
7) What types of soils is MICP usually used on, and what is new here?
The notice states that MICP has been used more commonly in geotechnical applications for sandy soils. The new focus here is how MICP performs on wildfire-affected soils, including soils whose structure and infiltration behavior may have been altered by fire.
8) What work will ERDC perform versus the award recipient?
ERDC (the Engineer Research and Development Center) is expected to perform an initial literature review covering both MICP and wildfire effects on soils, to identify promising soil types/conditions and incorporate lessons learned from USACE districts that regularly deal with wildfire impacts. After that ERDC-led scoping, the award recipient (working closely with ERDC and a principal investigator) is expected to carry out the practical research activities described in the opportunity, including sampling, laboratory testing, MICP optimization, post-treatment testing, and a field demonstration.
9) Where are sampling sites expected to be located?
The opportunity anticipates identifying suitable wildfire-affected sampling sites likely in regions served by USACE districts such as Sacramento and Albuquerque, where wildfire recovery and forest restoration work is common and where existing datasets and agency experience (including NRCS, USGS, and USACE sources) can support meaningful site selection.
10) What does soil sampling involve?
The project includes collecting and transporting soil samples from burned areas for testing in ERDC and university laboratories. The expected collection volume is on the order of nine 5-gallon buckets.
11) What laboratory testing is expected before treatment?
The laboratory program includes standard geotechnical characterization and strength testing, including index testing (such as sieve analysis, specific gravity, and organic content) and shear strength evaluation using triaxial and direct shear tests. The opportunity also calls for microscopic mineral identification to better understand soil composition and how wildfire may have altered mineralogy or bonding behavior.
12) Are there required testing standards or methods?
Yes. The opportunity stresses that testing should follow typical ASTM procedures and use standard laboratory equipment. This points to a preference for results that are comparable, repeatable, and defensible in an engineering context.
13) What does "optimizing the MICP treatment" mean in this project?
Optimization is described as determining treatment duration and application frequency, selecting bacterial concentrations, and choosing nutrient formulations that support bacterial growth and effective calcium carbonate precipitation. The notice emphasizes that MICP performance depends heavily on biological and chemical conditions, not only soil mechanics, and it explicitly calls for bio-engineering expertise.
14) What performance measurements are expected after MICP treatment?
Treated soils are expected to be tested again to quantify changes in shear strength, infiltration behavior, and erodibility.
15) Does the opportunity require repeatability or replication in testing?
Yes. The opportunity calls for triplicate testing to support repeatability.
16) What deliverables are anticipated?
The notice anticipates that findings will be written up as a data report and/or a technical paper. This suggests an expectation of documented, publishable-quality results rather than informal internal notes.
17) Is a field demonstration required, and what does it include?
Yes. A final major element is a field demonstration at one of the sampled wildfire sites deemed most suitable for showing how the treatment could be applied outside the laboratory. The field work is expected to compare wildfire-exposed sections with unexposed control sections.
18) What field tests are expected during the demonstration?
The field testing methods listed include infiltration measurements, erodibility testing, and plate load tests.
19) What resources and logistics are anticipated for field deployment?
The notice indicates field deployment will require travel, application tools, growth media, and the selected bacterial strain. It also anticipates coordination between ERDC and university team members on the test plan, application protocol, and timing.
20) How does this project fit within Engineering with Nature (EWN)?
The opportunity is framed within the EWN philosophy, which emphasizes aligning natural processes with engineering outcomes to deliver economic, environmental, and social value in a sustainable way. MICP is presented as a nature-based approach that may reduce erosion and slow runoff in a way that benefits communities and infrastructure.
21) What public benefits is the program aiming for if MICP works?
The potential benefits described include reduced erosion in burned watersheds, slower runoff response during storms, less sediment loading into channels and reservoirs, and a lower likelihood of destructive debris flows and flash floods that threaten downstream communities and USACE flood protection projects.
22) Does the opportunity mention work on Native American lands?
Yes. The description notes connections to prior EWN efforts at Santa Clara Pueblo in northern New Mexico and states that projects on Native American lands should be designed and implemented in ways that respect and align with community culture and priorities.
23) Which agency is offering this funding?
The posting is described as a discretionary funding opportunity by the Department of Defense, Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
24) What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument type is a cooperative agreement, which typically implies substantial agency involvement during performance. This aligns with the opportunity description that includes ERDC guidance and close coordination throughout the work.
25) What is the opportunity number and CFDA?
The opportunity number is W81EWF 22 SOI 0037, under CFDA 12.630.
26) How much funding is available?
The award ceiling is $150,000.
27) How many awards are expected?
The opportunity states an expectation of one award.
28) What was the listed closing date?
The posting lists an original closing date of October 17, 2022.
29) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described broadly as "Others," with additional clarification referenced in the full notice.
30) What kind of expertise is this project likely to require?
Based on the described scope, the project calls for geotechnical laboratory capability (index testing, triaxial/direct shear, infiltration and erodibility testing), microscopic mineral identification, and bio-engineering expertise to optimize bacterial concentrations and nutrient formulations for effective MICP treatment.
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