Tag: 2025 Funding

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.

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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.

RFP for FY2025 104g Research Projects Coming Soon

by Kaye L. Brubaker

The US Geological Survey (USGS) Water Resources Research Act Program will soon release the request for proposals (RFP) on Grants.gov for two key programs: the National Competitive Grants 104g General Program and the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Program. RFP approval for a third program, the 104g PFAS Program, is still under review by the Office of Management and Budget. 

Maryland investigators who intend to submit a proposal to the 104g program are encouraged to contact the MWRRC. For information about applying, refer to the 104g sections on the USGS “How to Apply” page.