Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0005013
The grant opportunity titled "Responsible Recovery and Handling of Mercury from Contaminated Tailings and Riverbeds in Colombia" (Funding Opportunity Number SFOP0005013) is a U.S. Department of State program focused on reducing mercury pollution linked to artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in Colombia. The core aim is to cut both the use of mercury and the amount of mercury released into the environment by promoting safer, more responsible approaches to recovering and managing mercury that is already present in contaminated mine tailings and impacted riverbeds. In practice, this points to work that addresses legacy contamination as well as ongoing releases, with an emphasis on methods that prevent further spread of mercury through waterways, sediments, and surrounding communities.
This opportunity falls under the "Discretionary" category and uses a Cooperative Agreement as the funding instrument, which typically means the government expects substantial involvement during the project period, such as collaboration on work planning, technical direction, coordination with stakeholders, and review of outputs. The funding activity category is Environment, and the administering agency is the Department of State, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (often associated with international environmental cooperation and pollution reduction efforts). The CFDA number listed is 19.017.
The project is designed to generate both technical and policy recommendations for consideration by the Colombian ministries responsible for mercury regulation and oversight of the ASGM sector. That dual focus suggests a blend of on-the-ground technical assessment and practical guidance (for example, identifying workable recovery/handling approaches for mercury in tailings and sediments, safe storage and transport practices, and risk-reduction measures), paired with policy-oriented deliverables that can help regulators strengthen rules, compliance approaches, and inter-ministry coordination. The explicit mention of multiple ministries indicates the work is expected to be relevant across agencies, likely touching environmental protection, mining and energy oversight, public health considerations, and broader chemicals management related to mercury.
Funding was capped at an award ceiling of $450,000, with the expectation of making one award. The opportunity was created on May 7, 2018, and originally closed on June 29, 2018. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement text, implying that nontraditional applicants beyond standard categories may have been considered depending on the specific criteria in that section.
Overall, the opportunity targets a well-defined environmental and public health problem associated with ASGM in Colombia: mercury contamination in mining wastes and river systems. It emphasizes responsible recovery and handling to prevent further releases, while also producing recommendations that can be adopted by Colombian government entities to improve regulation and sector practices over time.Apply for SFOP0005013
- The Department of State, Bureau of Oceans - Int. Environmental - Scientific in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Responsible Recovery and Handling of Mercury from Contaminated Tailings and Riverbeds in Colombia" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.017.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 07, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 29, 2018. (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 $450,000.00 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 (FAQs)
What is the official title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Responsible Recovery and Handling of Mercury from Contaminated Tailings and Riverbeds in Colombia."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is SFOP0005013.
Which U.S. agency is administering this opportunity?
The administering agency is the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs.
What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 19.017.
What is the primary purpose of the project?
The core aim is to reduce mercury pollution linked to artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in Colombia by cutting both (1) the use of mercury and (2) the amount of mercury released into the environment. The focus is on safer, more responsible recovery and handling of mercury that is already present in contaminated mine tailings and impacted riverbeds.
What problem is this funding designed to address?
This opportunity targets mercury contamination associated with ASGM in Colombia, especially contamination found in mining wastes (tailings) and river systems (riverbeds and sediments), where mercury can spread through waterways, sediments, and nearby communities.
Does the opportunity focus on legacy contamination, ongoing releases, or both?
Based on the description, it points to work that addresses both legacy contamination (mercury already present from past activity) and ongoing releases, with an emphasis on preventing additional spread of mercury through the environment.
What types of sites or media are specifically mentioned?
The opportunity specifically highlights contaminated mine tailings and impacted riverbeds, implying attention to sediments and waterways where mercury may be present and mobile.
What kinds of approaches does the opportunity emphasize?
It emphasizes responsible recovery and handling methods for mercury already present in tailings and sediments, alongside practices intended to prevent further releases and spread. Examples implied by the description include workable recovery/handling approaches, safe storage and transport practices, and risk-reduction measures.
What category of funding opportunity is this?
The opportunity is listed under the "Discretionary" category.
What is the funding instrument?
The funding instrument is a Cooperative Agreement.
What does it mean that this is a Cooperative Agreement?
A Cooperative Agreement typically means the government expects substantial involvement during the project period. The description indicates involvement such as collaboration on work planning, technical direction, coordination with stakeholders, and review of outputs.
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is Environment.
What deliverables is the project expected to produce?
The project is designed to generate both technical recommendations and policy recommendations for consideration by Colombian ministries responsible for mercury regulation and oversight of the ASGM sector.
Who are the intended users of the recommendations?
The recommendations are intended for consideration by Colombian ministries responsible for mercury regulation and ASGM oversight. The text indicates the work is expected to be relevant across multiple ministries.
What does the emphasis on multiple ministries suggest about the project scope?
It suggests the work may need to be relevant across agencies, potentially touching environmental protection, mining and energy oversight, public health considerations, and broader chemicals management related to mercury.
How much funding is available?
The award ceiling was $450,000.
How many awards were expected?
The opportunity indicated an expectation of making one award.
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on May 7, 2018.
When did the opportunity close?
The opportunity originally closed on June 29, 2018.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement text.
What does "Others" mean in the eligibility listing?
In this listing, "Others" indicates the eligibility category is broad and may include nontraditional applicant types, but the specific criteria are referenced in the full announcement section for additional eligibility details.
Is this opportunity focused specifically on artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM)?
Yes. The opportunity is explicitly focused on reducing mercury pollution linked to ASGM in Colombia.
Is the project focused only on reducing mercury use, or also on mercury already in the environment?
It includes both: reducing mercury use and reducing mercury released into the environment, with a central emphasis on recovering and responsibly handling mercury already present in contaminated tailings and riverbeds.
What is the overarching environmental and public health goal?
The overarching goal is to reduce mercury pollution and prevent further mercury spread through waterways, sediments, and surrounding communities, addressing an environmental and public health problem associated with ASGM in Colombia.
Is the work expected to be purely technical, purely policy-based, or a combination?
It is framed as a dual-focus effort: a blend of on-the-ground technical assessment and practical guidance, paired with policy-oriented deliverables for regulators and ministries.
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