Request for Proposals FY 2019 104(B) (State Program)

The MWRRC invites proposals for Fiscal Year 2019 funding under Section 104(b) of the Water Resources Research Act.

Investigators from any Maryland institution of higher education are eligible to apply.

The Maryland version of the RFP is linked below. For investigators’ use in proposal preparation, the RFP attachments are also provided in MS Word format.

Applications must be received by January 7, 2019, 11:59 p.m.

The Center will consider proposals in three categories.


Traditional Research Projects

Any topic related to water resources in Maryland will be considered. Cooperative programs involving U.S. Geological Survey personnel are encouraged (Click here for list of personnel in the USGS Water Center for MD/DE/DC). All proposals submitted to the MWRRC will receive external peer review.

It is expected that the total MWRRC contribution will be $16,000 to $35,000. Non-federal matching funds are required in the ratio of 2:1 matching:MWRRC. Indirect costs are not allowed on the project, but waived indirect costs can be used as matching funds. Prospective PIs are encouraged to contact the Center director if they have questions about matching funds.

Proposals must be fully executed by the institutional office of research. All proposals must be filed by January 7, 2019, 11:59 p.m. Those that are selected for funding by the MWRRC will be forwarded to the USGS.

Research proposals are to be submitted by email to the Center Director, Dr. Kaye Brubaker, kbru<at>umd.edu. Include “2019 104(b)” in the subject line. Instructions for proposal preparation are available in PDF form (Maryland 2019 104(b) RFP). Worksheet templates are available in MS Word format


Seed Grants

Seed grants range from $3,000 to $6,000. This program solicits proposals aimed at developing exploratory projects, with the deliverable being a major proposal for submission to another agency. Funds are to be used for preliminary experiments or for faculty release time.

Non-federal matching funds are required in the ratio of 2:1 matching:MWRRC. Indirect costs are not allowed on the project, but waived indirect costs can be used as matching funds. Proposals must be fully executed by the institutional office of research. All proposals must be filed by January 7, 2019, 11:59 p.m. Those that are selected for funding by the MWRRC will be forwarded to the USGS.

Seed grant proposals are to be submitted by email to the Center Director, Dr. Kaye Brubaker, kbru<at>umd.edu. Include “2019 104(b)” in the subject line. Instructions for proposal preparation, tailored to the MWRRC, are available in PDF form (Maryland 2019 104(b) RFP). The budget and budget explanation appendices are available as worksheets/templates in MS Word format


Summer Graduate Fellowships

A major mission of the Water Resources Research Institutes and Centers is to help develop the new generation of water experts and leaders. The MWRRC is interested in interacting with a broad spectrum of students conducting research relevant to the State’s water resources. As a step toward accomplishing this goal, the Center accepts proposals for Graduate Research Fellowships of $6,000 each for Summer 2018.  All areas related to water resources research will be considered. The student’s advisor is expected to arrange matching funds (2:1 matching:MWRRC) for the fellowship awards.  Normally, the fellowship is paid directly to the student, and fringe benefits are not included; if the PI wishes to pay fringe benefits, they may be included as match. Awards are made competitively.

Follow this link for Details on Summer Graduate Fellowships. Applications must be received at MWRRC by January 7, 2019, 11:59 p.m.


 For further information, contact Dr. Kaye Brubaker kbru<at>umd.edu

The number of projects supported in each category will depend on the quality of the proposed work, response to specific research areas of interest, and availability of funds.

Request for FY2019 104(g) PreProposals (National Competitive Program)

RFP Background

The U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the National Institutes for Water Resources will be releasing a request for proposals for matching grants to support research on the topics of:

  • Improving and enhancing the nation’s water supply, including evaluation of innovative approaches to water treatment, infrastructure design, retrofitting, maintenance, management, and replacement; exploration and advancement of our understanding of changes in the quantity.
  • Quality of water resources in response to a changing climate, population shifts, and land use changes; development of methods for better estimation of water supply, both surface and groundwater, including estimation of the physical supply and of the economic supply of water; and development and evaluation of processes and governance mechanisms for integrated surface/groundwater management.
  • The evaluation and assessment of conservation practices.

Any investigator at an accredited institution of higher learning in the United States is eligible to apply for a grant through a Water Research Institute or Center established under the provisions of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984, as amended (http://water.usgs.gov/wrri/institutes.html). Proposals involving substantial collaboration between the USGS and university scientists are encouraged. Proposals may be for projects of 1 to 3 years in duration and may request up to $250,000 in federal funds. Successful applicants must match each dollar of the federal grant with one dollar from non-federal sources.

Pre-proposals must be submitted to your State Institute or Center by 5:00 pm, Eastern Time, February 15, 2019. Invited full proposals to the National Competitive Grants Program must be submitted to the grants.gov internet site at http://www.grants.gov not later than 5:00 pm Eastern Time, May 31, 2019, by the university at which the Institute or Center is located. Funds have not yet been appropriated for this program for FY2019. The Government’s obligation under this program is contingent upon the availability of funds.

Due Dates and Important Information

  • Notice will be sent out when USGS releases the FY2019 RFP.
  • The RFP will be placed on this website/blog.
  • Pre-proposals will be due February 15, 2019.
  • Full proposals will be due May 31, 2019.