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

What the official notice requires

Pulled from the official notice Foa_Content_of_G27AS00164_100226.pdf (19 pages) so you can see the requirements at a glance. Each item shows the notice's own words. Open the page to read it in context.

Registrations you need first (4)

• SAM.gov, Unique Entity ID (UEI) · p. 5

  “American Samoa GET READY TO APPLY Required System Registrations Unique Entity Identifier and SAM.gov Registration Before applying, all applicants except individuals applying as a natural person must be registered in SAM.gov.” Open page 5

• Grants.gov · p. 6

  “This program accepts applications through Grants.gov so once you receive your UEI return to Grants.gov to register with Grants.gov.” Open page 6

• GrantSolutions · p. 16

  “AWARD NOTICES Notices of Federal Award are sent electronically via GrantSolutions or e-mail.” Open page 16

• ASAP.gov (payments) · p. 18

  “Treasury's Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP), unless approved for a waiver by the USGS program.” Open page 18

Registration is free but can take weeks, so start now, not when the deadline is close. Get-ready checklist

What to submit

• Form SF-424 · p. 8

  “Forms/Assurances/Certifications Submission Requirement SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance Note:” Open page 8

• Resumes or bios of key staff · p. 8

  “Intended beneficiaries, Subrecipient activities (if known or specified at time of award) Required from all applicants Common Form for Biographical Sketch - OMB 3145-0279 For the Principal Investigator ONLY Common Form for Current or Pending Support - OMB…” Open page 8

• Project abstract or summary · p. 9

  “Title Page Must include full and short title, lead PI name and contact information (email and telephone number), collaborator and co-PI names, federal funds requested, matching fund contribution, abstract (300 words), plain-word summary (150 words),…” Open page 9

• Timeline or schedule of completion · p. 10

  “Provide a timeline of key activities, including field seasons, data collection, and lab analyses, as appropriate.” Open page 10

• Budget narrative / justification · p. 10

  “A budget justification, including details, must be provided for all costs.” Open page 10

• Letters of support or commitment · p. 11

  “Government Involvement A letter of support from USGS is required regardless if the project includes a USGS co-PI.” Open page 11

• Form SF-424A · p. 12

  “projects, applicants must complete and submit the SF-424A, “Budget Information for Non- Construction Programs” form.” Open page 12

• Form SF-LLL · p. 18

  “If the Federal share of the award is more than $100,000 and the recipient makes or agrees to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying in connection to the award, disclose those activities using the Disclosure of Lobbying (SF-LLL) form per…” Open page 18

Length limits

• Elements: 10 pages max · p. 8

  “Elements 3-8 shall not exceed 10 single-spaced pages, with 12-point font and at least 1-inch margins, including tables, pictures, graphs, figures, and appendices.” Open page 8

• Qualifications of Research Team: 3 pages max · p. 11

  “Qualifications of Research Team Provide a brief biographical sketch, no more than 3 pages, for the PI and any co-PIs. 2 points 13.” Open page 11

Formatting rules

• 12-point font, 1-inch margins, single-spaced · p. 8

  “Elements 3-8 shall not exceed 10 single-spaced pages, with 12-point font and at least 1-inch margins, including tables, pictures, graphs, figures, and appendices.” Open page 8

Dates in the notice

• November 12, 2026 · p. 3

  “Yes Closing Date Explanation Applications, including the full proposal, must be submitted to grants.gov by the State Water Resources Research Institute prior to the 5:00 PM Eastern Time, November 12, 2026 closing date.” Open page 3

• 11/12/2026 · p. 14

  “Program Website Link: https://water.usgs.gov/wrri/ Submission Dates and Times Closing Date for Applications: 11/12/2026 Closing Date Explanation Applications, including the full proposal, must be submitted to grants.gov by the State Water Resources Research…” Open page 14

Mistakes that get applications rejected (3)

• Could get your application rejected: Each element has a maximum potential point value and these elements will be combined in order to rank the... · p. 8

  “Each element has a maximum potential point value and these elements will be combined in order to rank the proposals; proposals without required elements will not be considered.” Open page 8

• Over the length limit: Proposals exceeding the page limit for elements 3-8 will not be considered. · p. 8

  “Proposals exceeding the page limit for elements 3-8 will not be considered.” Open page 8

• Unresolved civil-rights or legal findings: We are prohibited from making an award if a recipient or any key personnel are found ineligible,... · p. 15

  “We are prohibited from making an award if a recipient or any key personnel are found ineligible, prohibited, restricted, or otherwise excluded from receiving or participating in an award, as their ineligibility condition applies to this program.” Open page 15