Deadline: 16-Sep-2025
Applications are currently open for the Water Resources Research Act Program. This opportunity is authorized under section 104 of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 and its subsequent amendments. The program is administered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior.
Water Resources Institutes or Centers have been established in every U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. The Guam Institute also serves the Federated States of Micronesia and the Northern Mariana Islands, while the Hawaii Institute also covers American Samoa. Only Institute Directors or their designated representatives are permitted to submit applications.
The program supports research that addresses water resource issues in each participating state or territory. Section 104(b) outlines objectives such as conducting applied and peer-reviewed research, improving water supply reliability, exploring new approaches to water-related problems, encouraging new researchers in the field, and disseminating findings to water managers and the public.
Institutes are also expected to collaborate closely with other universities in their state and with other regional institutes to enhance statewide and regional water research efforts. Projects must align with the USGS’s national mission, which includes water quality and quantity monitoring, understanding water availability, studying climate effects on water systems, and responding to emerging water issues. Specific research priorities are determined by individual Institute Directors.
The total estimated program funding is $8,325,000, with 54 awards expected. Award sizes range from a minimum of $146,052 to a maximum of $438,156.
Only Institutes or Centers established under Section 104 are eligible to apply. They may consider project proposals from faculty or affiliates of higher education institutions within their state. Several types of applications are ineligible for funding, including those involving human health research, oceanography (excluding estuarine studies), or proposals that do not meet the outlined program goals. Additionally, Institutes that have not fulfilled past reporting requirements are disqualified.
While federal employees may collaborate on research projects, they cannot serve as principal investigators, receive federal funds, or act as sources of matching funds. They may serve as co-principal investigators and contribute non-financial support to projects.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
