Tag: 104(g)

USGS Announces National Competitive Grants 104(g) Programs for 2025-26

by Kaye L. Brubaker

The USGS Water Resources Research Act (WRRA) Fiscal Year 2025 104g grant opportunities have been posted to grants.gov:

  • 104g General: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/360311
    • This call identifies two priorities. More detail is provided in the Notice of Funding Opportunity available at the grants.gov link above.
      • Priority 1: Economic value of Information of the USGS streamgage network and associated National Water Information System (NWIS). Applicants should review the National Hydrologic Warning Council 2006 report for a listing of benefits categories. For this proposal, USGS is most interested in categories (1) through (3) in the 2006 report; categories (4) and (5) are of significant but lesser interest. USGS appreciates that proposals may seek a tradeoff between examining multiple benefit categories at a reduced geographic scale versus a limited number of benefits categories at a national scale. While preference will be given to those proposals that provide a Nation-wide assessment, please consider the minimum geographic scope to be Hydrologic Unit Code 12 (Hydrologic Unit Maps | U.S. Geological Survey).
      • Priority 2: Model Advancement and Machine Learning Integration: Explore methods to develop new hydrologic models in large, regional areas or, where possible, at the national level to enhance understanding of water availability. Provide information on promising modeling approaches to inform science questions specific to a region. Examples include:
        • Machine Learning Techniques for Water Quality Data: Apply AI and machine learning methods to harmonize water quality data across different sources, improving integration and accessibility for hydrologic modeling.
        • Groundwater and Base Flow Predictions: Specifically apply machine learning techniques to predict transient groundwater levels or base flow to streams, enhancing the understanding of these critical hydrologic processes.
  • 104g AIS: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/360309
  • 104g PFAS: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/360310

Applications must be submitted by the state’s Water Resources Research Institute. Maryland investigators who anticipate applying to this program are asked to contact the MWRRC as soon as possible.

Applications must be submitted by MWRRC by September 30, 2025 no later than 5:00 pm ET. Applications to MWRRC must therefore be received by September 16, 2025 by 11:59 pm ET.

National Competitive Grants (104g) Webinar

by Kaye L. Brubaker

The previously announced webinar was held Aug. 21, 2025. The Illinois Water Resources Center provides a recording and slides. You can access the video here and the slides here. You may need to click a “join folder” or “join as a collaborator” button in the upper right corner to access the content.

Follow this link for notices of Funding Opportunity for the 104(g) programs.

_______________________________________________________________________________

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in partnership with the National Institutes for Water Resources (NIWR), will soon release its annual Requests for Proposals (RFPs) under the National Competitive Grants Program. This year’s program includes opportunities in three key areas: 104g General, PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), and Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS).

These grants are open to investigators at institutions of higher education whose work addresses water-related research needs of regional and national significance. Proposals must be submitted through the Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI) in the applicant’s state or territory.

Funding Highlights (based on last year’s awards):

  • Up to $348,000 for the General 104g program
  • Up to $310,000 each for PFAS and AIS projects
  • Project duration: 1–3 years
  • 1:1 non-federal cost share required

We anticipate a tight application timeline — roughly four weeks between the RFP release and the WRRI submission deadline — so we’re encouraging early preparation.

To help interested researchers get ready, WRRIs from across the country are hosting an informational webinar:

Date: TBD (Watch this space)

The session will provide an overview of the funding opportunities, details on the proposal process, and time for Q&A. It will also offer a chance to connect with other researchers who may be interested in collaborative projects.

For more information, visit:
https://water.usgs.gov/wrri/how-to-apply-for-grants-internships.php
Or contact your state’s WRRI.

Request for Proposals: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) Substances FY 2021 Competitive Grants

by Kaye L. Brubaker

The Maryland Water Resources Research Center (MWRRC) announces the release of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the FY 2021 Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) Substances Competitive Grant Program by the U.S. Geological Survey under Section 104(g) of the Water Resources Research Act, in cooperation with the National Institutes for Water Resources.

Proposals are sought on the following specific areas of inquiry (levels of priority are not assigned, and the order of listing does not indicate the level of priority):

  • Research on the fate, persistence, transport, and impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances on changes to water quality and/or ecosystem dynamics, in water resources, including surface water and groundwater.
  • Social and/or economic assessment of the spread, detection, impacts, solutions, and management of PFAS in surface and/or groundwater

Any investigator at an institution of higher learning in Maryland is eligible to apply through the MWRRC. If a proposal from an institution other than the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) is selected for funding, the funds will be managed as a subcontract from UMCP. Projects will only be awarded if funds are appropriated to the USGS to support the program.

Proposals may be for projects of 1 to 3 years in duration, may request up to $250,000 in federal funds, and require a 1:1 (non-federal:federal) match. Proposals in PDF format must be emailed to the MWRRC Director Dr. Kaye Brubaker at kbru<at-symbol>umd.edu by 11:59 p.m., June 18, 2021 to allow adequate time for MWRRC to submit the proposals by the June 24 deadline for institutes. Only proposals submitted to MWRRC by June 18, 2021 will be transmitted to the National Grants Competition Proposal Peer Review Panel.

Additional information about research priorities, proposal content, format and review process are available in the RFP.

PIs who intend to submit proposals under this program are asked to notify the Center as soon as possible (kbru<at-symbol>umd.edu) so that we may prepare for and assist with proposal preparation and processing.

Request for Proposals: Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) FY 2021 Competitive Grants

by Kaye L. Brubaker

The Maryland Water Resources Research Center (MWRRC) announces the release of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the FY 2021 Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Competitive Grant Program by the U.S. Geological Survey under Section 104(g) of the Water Resources Research Act, in cooperation with the National Institutes for Water Resources.

Proposals are sought on the following specific areas of inquiry (levels of priority are not assigned, and the order of listing does not indicate the level of priority):

  • Improve our understanding of the impacts of aquatic invasive species on lakes and rivers in the Upper Mississippi River basin, including changes to water quantity, quality and ecosystem dynamics.
  • Identify lake and river characteristics that infer resistance and resilience to establishment and impacts of aquatic invasive species in the Upper Mississippi River basin. Research is needed to better understand these interactions and guide management decisions that will improve water resources at the regional scale.
  • Social and/or economic assessment of the spread, detection, impacts, solutions, and management of aquatic invasive species in the Upper Mississippi River basin.

Any investigator at an institution of higher learning in Maryland is eligible to apply through the MWRRC. If a proposal from an institution other than the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) is selected for funding, the funds will be managed as a subcontract from UMCP. Projects will only be awarded if funds are appropriated to the USGS to support the program.

Proposals may be for projects of 1 to 3 years in duration, may request up to $250,000 in federal funds, and require a 1:1 (non-federal:federal) match. Proposals in PDF format must be emailed to the MWRRC Director Dr. Kaye Brubaker at kbru<at-symbol>umd.edu by 11:59 p.m., June 18, 2021 to allow adequate time for MWRRC to submit the proposals by the June 24 deadline for institutes. Only proposals submitted to MWRRC by June 18, 2021 will be transmitted to the National Grants Competition Proposal Peer Review Panel.

Additional information about research priorities, proposal content, format and review process are available in the RFP.

PIs who intend to submit proposals under this program are asked to notify the Center as soon as possible (kbru<at-symbol>umd.edu) so that we may prepare for and assist with proposal preparation and processing.

Request For Proposals FY 2021 Competitive Grants 104(g)

by Kaye L. Brubaker

The Maryland Water Resources Research Center (MWRRC) announces the release of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the FY 2021 National Competitive Grant Program by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the National Institutes for Water Resources.

Proposals are sought on the topic of improving and enhancing the nation’s water supply and availability, and promoting the exploration of new ideas that address or expand our understanding of water problems, including the following specific areas of inquiry (levels of priority are not assigned, and the order of listing does not indicate the level of priority):

  • Socioeconomics and water use – includes the development of water use models that require understanding of what drives the timing and location of water being withdrawn and used and how those relations change when climate impacts the use or conservation/management strategies (culture/societal/economics) are implemented.
  • Water related hazards and public health – exploration of the intersections of land/water use, disease vector mechanisms, and water hazards, climate change, and/or irrigation practices. Research may include advancing our understand of these connections as they affect the development rates of pathogens impacting public health.
  • Exploration and advancement of our understanding of harmful algae blooms (HABs). Proposals are sought that focus on innovations in monitoring the occurrence of HABs and algal toxins, research on factors that result in algal toxin production, and improvements in near-real time modeling and forecasting of toxin-producing blooms.

Any investigator at an institution of higher learning in Maryland is eligible to apply through the MWRRC. If a proposal from an institution other than the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) is selected for funding, the funds will be managed as a subcontract from UMCP. Projects will only be awarded if funds are appropriated to the USGS to support the program.

Proposals may be for projects of 1 to 3 years in duration, may request up to $250,000 in federal funds, and require a 1:1 (non-federal:federal) match. Proposals in PDF format must be emailed to the MWRRC Director Dr. Kaye Brubaker at kbru<at-symbol>umd.edu by 11:59 p.m., June 18, 2021 to allow adequate time for MWRRC to submit the proposals by the June 24 deadline for institutes. Only proposals submitted to MWRRC by June 18, 2021 will be transmitted to the National Grants Competition Proposal Peer Review Panel.

Additional information about research priorities, proposal content, format and review process are available in the RFP.

PIs who intend to submit proposals under this program are asked to notify the Center as soon as possible (kbru<at-symbol>umd.edu) so that we may prepare for and assist with proposal preparation and processing.

 

Update on 2019 104(G) Schedule

by Kaye L. Brubaker

USGS has received approval to proceed with the February 15 deadline for submitting 104g research pre-proposals to the State Institutes (Maryland Water Resources Research Center for Maryland institutions). The final RFP is not yet available on grants.gov. Please use the linked  draft RFP as a guide for assembling your pre-proposal. Note that the pre-proposals are not submitted to grants.gov; they are collected by the State Institutes. Please email your pre-proposal to Dr. Kaye Brubaker (kbru<“at”>umd.edu) before 5:00 p.m. EST on February 15, 2019, with a subject line clearly identifying your message as a 104(g) pre-proposal.

Note: Pre-proposals do not include detailed budget information; therefore, they do not need to be endorsed/executed by the PI’s Office of Research/Sponsored Programs*. You are asked to provide estimated budget, matching funds, and project duration.

*Note: Although the MWRRC does not require it at this stage, some institutions require review of the pre-proposal by their Office of Research/Sponsored Programs — in particular, to authorize matching funds. Each PI should check with their respective Office.

 

 

Request for FY 2018 Pre-Proposals 104(G) (National Program)

by Kaye L. Brubaker

The U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the National Institutes for Water Resources requests pre-proposals for matching grants under section 104(g) of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-242), as amended by Public Laws 101-397, 104-147, 106-374, and 109-471. The USGS Request For Proposals (RFP) is linked below.

FY2018 104(g) RFP

The goal of this grant program is to support research on the topic 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 and 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;
  • development and evaluation of processes and governance mechanisms for integrated surface/ground water management; and
  • 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.

Collaboration with USGS and other federal researchers is encouraged; however, federal employees may not receive any compensation under this program. (Click here for list of personnel in the USGS Water Center for MD/DE/DC).

Preproposals from Maryland investigators must be submitted to the Maryland Water Resources Research Center by 5:00 PM, Eastern Time, February 15, 2018.

Preproposals will be reviewed competitively. If Maryland PIs are invited to submit full proposals, they will work with the MWRRC to make the submittal.

Funds have not yet been appropriated for this program for FY 2018. The U.S. Government’s obligation under this program is contingent upon the availability of funds.