SEA LAMPREY RESEARCH PROGRAM

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM

To conduct research that will provide the information needed to fully implement integrated management of sea lampreys, including the development of novel, effective strategies for their control. 

TYPE OF RESEARCH

Biological, ecological, and management-related research on sea lampreys and their effects on Great Lakes fish communities and fisheries. 

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

Secretariat staff and the commission’s Sea Lamprey Research Board (SLRB) administer research funded under this category.

• SLRB Terms of Reference
• SLRB Members
• Theme areas
• Commission support staff
• Next meeting (September 22-23, 2008)

FUNDING

Project funding per year varies from U.S.$10,000 to U.S.$100,000, with the average award ranging from approximately U.S.$35,000-$50,000 per year. Projects typically last from 1 to 4 years, with most projects being 2-3 years in length. Total amount of funding available for Sea Lamprey Research Program projects varies by year but is typically $500,000. For more information, review the current call for proposals.

RESEARCH THEME AREAS

Theme area definition – Most projects supported by this research program are organized under broad research theme areas that describe important topics related to the management of sea lampreys in the Great Lakes. These theme areas establish key research questions and hypotheses that become the focus of specific projects.  Description of research themes are included in documents that contain a review of relevant literature, describe research questions or hypotheses pertinent to sea lamprey biology, ecology, and management, and in the call for proposals. 

Research theme areas

• Assessment
• Pheromones
• Barriers and Trapping
• Sterile Males
• Lampricides
• Non-Theme Area

Theme development – Subject matter and priorities for research themes are most often generated through the Sea Lamprey Integration Committee and its Task Forces.  Members of the Sea Lamprey Research Board develop the documents that describe research theme areas. Any researcher, however, may propose new theme areas or research projects in support of existing theme areas. Investigators with ideas for theme areas should contact the commission’s Science Director or Sea Lamprey Program Manager to discuss new proposed avenues of research.

Networking – In addition to funding research, the commission sponsors annual meetings for currently funded investigators conducting commission-sponsored research,
and potential new investigators to provide updates of progress or proposals of new research avenues. Principal investigators of commission-supported projects are expected to participate.  Please contact the Science Director of the commission for meeting dates and locations.

Non-Theme Area Research - Projects that do not fall under any current theme area and the research of new investigators may also be supported. This provides an opportunity for researchers with highly meritorious concepts, not connected to existing theme areas, to access commission funding.

New Great Lakes Researchers - New investigator research funding is offered to encourage new researchers to establish their programs on critical information needs of sea lamprey management. Special priority is given to new investigators to the program. New researchers should review the new investigator criteria. The category of "new investigator" is a designation rather than a separate funding category. New investigators should apply to the program under theme areas or under the non-theme area and should note that they are new investigators where indicated on the pre-proposal and proposal forms.

Pilot Projects – The SLRB administers a program to provide rapid support for pilot research projects designed to explore new hypotheses and concepts and to acquire preliminary data to guide the development of full research proposals. Pilot projects proposals can be submitted at any time, must be less than $10,000 USD, and will be acted upon at both the March and October Board meetings. Funding decisions will be made following the March and October meetings. Deadlines for submission of pilot projects are December 15th for consideration in March and July 15th for consideration in October.

PAST PROJECTS

Research projects funded in the past by the commission include the role of pheromones in sea lamprey spawning ecology, the effects of compensatory mechanisms on sea lamprey population regulation, spatial distributions of sea lamprey, development of alternative control measures, development of models to assist in decision making, evaluation of fishways, abundance and distribution of native lampreys, the effects of lampricides on non-target organisms, and a comparison of seasonal thermal niches of whitefish, lake trout and sea lamprey. A list of all projects completed Sea Lamprey Research Program proejcts and associated completion reports are available by clicking here.

PROJECT RANKING CRITERIA

The SLRB evaluates research proposals based on these criteria:

Peer review of proposals – Every research proposal submitted to the Sea Lamprey Research Program will be subjected to a scientific peer review. Peer review evaluates the proposed research based on scientific merit, rationale, innovativeness, budget, logistics, and qualifications of the proponents. Peer reviewers will typically be academicians or agency biologists with demonstrated expertise in the proposal topic area. Recommendation of a project for funding will be highly dependent upon positive, favorable reviews of the proposal. Investigators submitting proposal should review the peer review form prior to proposal preparation. Click here to view the peer review form.

Relationships to commission programs – High-priority research projects are those that support the sea lamprey milestones documented in the commission’s Strategic Vision, research pirorities identified within theme papers, current topics identified annually by the commission’s Sea Lamprey Integration Committee and its Task Forces, and the Sea Lamprey Research Board.

Application to control program and importance to the rehabilitation of fisheries – Research projects will have a priority for funding if they have a high potential to improve sea lamprey control and enhance the rehabilitation success of species of common concern between Canada and the U.S. 

Past performance – Principal investigators should demonstrate technical expertise to complete the project or have co-investigators or appropriate partnerships with other organizations to meet all the requirements of the project. Projects must be non-duplicative with other projects funded by the commission or other programs.

INVESTIGATORS/APPLICANTS

Most investigators submitting proposals have been previously contacted by a representative of the Sea Lamprey Integration Committee, the Sea Lamprey Research Board, or the secretariat staff and encouraged to submit a pre-proposal. Nevertheless, any investigator with a project of potential interest is encouraged to contact the Commission’s Science Director to discuss a submission. New investigators are encouraged to initiate such contact.

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION PROCESS AND SCHEDULE

Questions regarding pre-proposal or proposal submission should be directed to the Sea Lamprey Research Associate. Additional information about submitting pre-proposals and proposals can be found here.

PRE-PROPOSAL AND FULL PROPOSAL FORMATS

Pre Proposal format 
Full proposal format

FUNDED RESEARCH

Sea Lamprey Research Program Completion reports summarize the results of completed research funded through theSea Lamprey Research Program.

For a list of all research funded through the Sea Lamprey Research Program since 2002, click here.