Analysis and Evaluation of Water Erosion Measurement of Bio-Cemented Soils for Dams and Levees Flood Mitigation | W81EWF 25 SOI 0007

Opportunity Information: Apply for W81EWF 25 SOI 0007

This funding opportunity, offered by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), focuses on analyzing and evaluating water-erosion measurements for bio-cemented (biocementation-treated) soils collected from dams and levees. The core aim is to bring in specialized expertise to interpret erosion-related test data from microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) treated soil samples and to advise ERDC researchers using current, state-of-the-art knowledge in biocementation. In practical terms, ERDC is looking for a partner who can help determine how well these MICP-treated soils resist erosion under water-driven conditions and translate those findings into publishable technical conclusions, while also setting the stage for larger demonstration and validation efforts later.

The opportunity is grounded in a major public-safety and infrastructure challenge: floods are among the most widespread and damaging natural hazards, and erosion is a leading cause of earth-structure failures in water-retaining infrastructure. With roughly 90,000 dams in the United States and a subset categorized as high-hazard (where failure can lead to loss of life and major property damage), the consequences of erosion-related failure are significant. Although the Army already monitors and mitigates erosion using conventional approaches, it is actively seeking newer solutions that can be deployed with fewer resources. MICP is highlighted as a promising alternative because it can improve soil stability and erosion resistance through biologically driven mineral precipitation, potentially reducing logistical burdens and carbon emissions compared with more material- and energy-intensive methods.

From a program and research perspective, ERDC is specifically interested in the erosion behavior of MICP-treated soils taken from Army-managed or Army-oversighted dam and levee sites. The work described is not simply basic research; it is positioned as applied analysis that supports real-world flood-mitigation infrastructure. ERDC notes prior progress showing that MICP can be cost-efficient and relatively non-resource-intensive for addressing contact erosion, a common problem in older embankment dams and levees. This grant opportunity is essentially an effort to deepen and validate that earlier work by bringing in collaborators who can rigorously evaluate erosion measurements, interpret datasets, and provide recommendations that reflect the latest technical understanding of biocementation performance. The agency also signals interest in building longer-term collaboration capacity, where the selected partner could later contribute technical experts for future field demonstration and validation programs.

The public benefit is framed around improving the resilience and safety of earthen embankments that protect communities and sensitive environments from flooding. The opportunity ties directly to the scale of federal dam stewardship: USACE operates and maintains about 740 dams through its Dam Safety Program, and the Army Installation Management Command-Army Dams and Transportation Infrastructure Program (IMCOM-ADTIP) oversees roughly 250 dams on military installations. By testing and analyzing bio-cemented soil samples from Army-managed locations, the project aims to assess whether biocementation can be a viable erosion-mitigation tool for these kinds of assets, potentially reducing failure risk and improving long-term infrastructure performance.

Administratively, this is a discretionary science and technology/research and development award using a cooperative agreement instrument, meaning ERDC expects substantial involvement and collaboration during the period of performance rather than a hands-off grant. The opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number W81EWF 25 SOI 0007 and CFDA 12.630. ERDC anticipates making one award with a ceiling of $35,000. Applications are due by 2025-09-02 (original closing date). Eligibility is restricted: applicants must be non-federal partners of the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU), so interested organizations need to confirm their CESU partnership status before preparing an application.

• The Engineer Research and Development Center in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Analysis and Evaluation of Water Erosion Measurement of Bio-Cemented Soils for Dams and Levees Flood Mitigation" 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 2025-07-16.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-09-02. (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 $35,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

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