Microbial Defense against WNS in Bat Microbiota | P19AS00119

Opportunity Information: Apply for P19AS00119

The Microbial Defense against WNS in Bat Microbiota opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number P19AS00119) is a National Park Service discretionary cooperative agreement focused on understanding and potentially strengthening natural, microbe-based defenses bats may have against white-nose syndrome (WNS). WNS is caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans and has been a major driver of bat population declines in the United States. The project emphasizes western bat populations, which are described as a valuable setting for studying bats' external microbiota (the bacterial and fungal communities living on their skin and other exposed surfaces) and how those communities might help resist or slow infection by this newly emerging pathogen.

The work builds on field sampling previously conducted from 2013 to 2015 in Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument (PARA). During that earlier period, researchers captured bats at both cave roosts and surface sites and swabbed five target bat species, including species thought to be more susceptible to WNS as well as species thought to be less susceptible. Early next-generation sequencing results from those swabs indicated that microbial communities differed depending on where bats were captured, with surface-caught bats showing different microbiota than bats associated with PARA cave environments. The earlier effort also suggested that some bat species carry relatively high levels of Actinobacteria, a group well known for producing antibiotics and other bioactive compounds, including antifungal substances. Importantly, the team has already identified some cultured microbial isolates at other sites that can significantly inhibit P. destructans in laboratory testing, which supports the idea that naturally occurring skin-associated bacteria could contribute to a form of biological protection.

With this funding, the proposed project expands both the microbiological and environmental components of the research. On the microbiology side, the team plans to use next-generation sequencing alongside microbial culturing to characterize bat microbiota across five or more bat species and to isolate Actinobacteria specifically for follow-up testing against P. destructans. This combined approach is meant to move from broad community descriptions (sequencing) toward identifying specific candidate microbes (culturing and isolation) that might be responsible for antifungal effects. The goal is not only to map what microbes are present, but also to test whether any of those microbes can actively suppress the WNS fungus.

On the habitat and disease ecology side, the project targets the microclimate conditions where bats roost, because temperature and relative humidity strongly influence whether P. destructans can persist and grow. The researchers propose installing temperature and relative humidity data loggers in roosting areas within PARA and in four backcountry areas that previously tested positive for close relatives of P. destructans. By collecting microclimate data, the study aims to evaluate whether local roost environments could support the fungus and how those conditions may interact with bat behavior, microbial communities, and broader climate-related changes. This microclimate monitoring is intended to strengthen interpretation of infection risk and help explain differences in microbial communities observed across sites.

The project also includes a public communication component. Researchers plan to photo-document the work to create interpretive materials that PARA staff can use for education and outreach about WNS and its impacts on bats. This is meant to translate field and lab activities into accessible content for visitors and the wider public, supporting awareness and conservation messaging tied to National Park Service priorities.

Administratively, the opportunity is offered by the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, under CFDA 15.945. Eligible applicants are public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. The expected award count is one, with an award ceiling of $60,000. The funding is positioned as enabling the research team to expand the dataset to a statistically adequate level and to compare PARA bat microbiota and environmental findings to results from four other study sites, helping determine whether observed patterns are local, regional, or more broadly consistent across the West.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Microbial Defense against WNS in Bat Microbiota" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.945.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 19, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 28, 2019. (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 $60,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.

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