WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH ACT PROGRAM NATIONAL COMPETITIVE GRANTS FY2026 (104g General)

This Program Announcement is issued under the provisions of section 104 of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-242), as amended by Public Laws 101-397, 104-147, 106-374, 109-471, and 117–58. Section 104 of the Water Resources Research Act directs the Secretary of the Interior to administer program grants to Institutes established under the provisions of section 104(a) of the Act. Water Resources Research Institutes have been established in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. The Institute in Guam also serves the Federated States of Micronesia and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Institute in Hawaii also serves American Samoa. The addresses of the 54 Institutes are available at https://water.usgs.gov/wrri/index.php. Responsibility for administration of the Water Resources Research Act Program has been delegated to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Only Water Resources Research Institutes established under the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 are eligible to apply. These Institutes are located at universities in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. The Institute in Guam also serves the Federated States of Micronesia and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Institute in Hawaii also serves American Samoa. Applications not eligible for funding: Applications for research on health effects involving human subjects. Applications for research involving oceanography (estuarine research applications are acceptable). Applications for research that do not meet program objectives as outlined. Applications submitted by an Institute or Center that has not met reporting requirements on a previous award by the USGS. Participation by federal employees: Federal employees may, and are encouraged to, collaborate with college or university investigators in this program. Federal employees may not serve as a principal investigator (PI) but may serve as a Co- PI. Federal employees and agencies may not receive federal funds for any purpose under these awards. Federal employees and agencies may not serve as a source of matching funds under these awards.

Competitive Grant Program: Relevance to announced priorities, technical merit, prospects of attaining objectives in period specified and potential for student training.

Statutory Formula: Title 42 U.S.C. 10303(c) and (g), Part U.S.C., Subpart 10303,Public Law (c) and (g).42 U.S.C. 10303(c) and (g)Matching requirements are 1:1 to this assistance listing.MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

Fiscal Year2025: 54 annual base-grant awards were provided, ranging from $146,052 - $438,156 ($146,052 per state/territory).? These funds will be used to facilitate local research and communication about water resources, including more than 250 independent research projects.???? 21 competitive awards, approximately $309,000 - $348,000 each, will be awarded for research on national issues of water resources, including but not limited to aquatic invasive species (AIS) and PFAS.Fiscal Year2026: 54 annual base-grant awards were provided, ranging from $202,850 - $608,550 ($202,850 per state/territory).? These funds will be used to facilitate local research and communication about water resources, including more than 250 independent research projects.???? 13 competitive awards, approximately $102,000 - $309,000 each, will be awarded for research on national issues of water resources, including but not limited to PFAS.