National water resources research grants
national competitive 104g, AIs, and PFAS programs
2025 GRANT INFORMATION AVAILABLE BELOW
FY25 INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR August 21 12:00-1:00 PM (MEETING LINK)
general goals of the national Grants program:
Promote collaboration between the USGS and university scientists in research on significant national and regional water-resources issues.
Assist in the training of scientists in relevant water-resource fields. Proposals that include a strong educational component (student support) are encouraged, as are those from early-career faculty.
104g National Competitive Grants Program (2025 RFP)
The National Competitive Grants Program focuses on water problems and issues of a regional or interstate nature that relate to priorities identified jointly by the Secretary of the Interior and the USGS network of water resource research institutes. This program also seeks to promote collaboration between the USGS and university scientists.
Research Priority 1: Economic value of Information of the USGS streamgage network and associated National Water Information System (NWIS)
Research Priority 2: Model Advancement and Machine Learning Integration
Total Funding Available: $1,850,000
Maximum Award Amount: $309,000
Project Duration: 1-3 years
Collaboration with USGS scientists strongly encouraged: It is anticipated that the USGS will have internal funds available for modest support of USGS scientists on selected proposals.
Proposals must be submitted to the Montana Water Center and are due on Aug 18, 2025 (submit to water@montana.edu).
Brief letters of intent requested by Sept 1 to water@montana.edu. Letters need only include specific grant opportunity, PI names, and academic institution.
National informational webinar on these grant opportunities Aug 18, 2025, 12-1pm Mountain time (meeting link).
Aquatic Invasive Species Grants Program (2025 RFP) Upper mississippi River basin
The challenges and opportunities that link aquatic invasive species and water resources are poorly understood, despite the real and growing effect of numerous aquatic invasive species on water quality, water quantity, and aquatic ecosystems. Research is needed to better identify and understand these interactions and to guide management decisions that will help to improve invasive species management and thus reduce effects of invasive species on water resources and aquatic ecosystems at local, regional, and national scales.
Research Priorities: Effects, characteristics, management in Upper Mississippi River Basin
Total Funding Available: $1,387,500
Maximum Award Amount: $346,875
Project Duration: 1-3 years
Proposals must be submitted to the Montana Water Center and are due on Sept 18, 2025 (submit to water@montana.edu).
Brief letters of intent requested by Sept 1 to water@montana.edu. Letters need only include specific grant opportunity, PI names, and academic institution.
National informational webinar on these grant opportunities Aug 18, 2025, 12-1pm Mountain time (meeting link).
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Grants Program (2025 RFP)
The challenges and opportunities of understanding the effects of per-and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances on water resources are poorly understood, despite the real and growing effect of this group of man-made substances on water quality and the resultant exposure to humans, other organisms, and ecosystems. Research is needed to better understand these interactions and guide management decisions that will improve water resources at the regional or national scale.
Research Priorities:
Media-specific methods - Media of interest include (in ranked order) (1) Tissues/plasma, (2) sediment, (3) air or interfaces, (4) water.
Atmospheric sources - Improved understanding of atmospheric exchange in PFAS distribution and fate.
Processes oriented at molecular level, physical or biological
Total Funding Available: $2,775,000
Maximum Award Amount: $309,000
Project Duration: 1-3 years
Proposals must be submitted to the Montana Water Center and are due on Aug 18, 2025 (submit to water@montana.edu).
Brief letters of intent requested by Sept 1 to water@montana.edu. Letters need only include specific grant opportunity, PI names, and academic institution.
National informational webinar on these grant opportunities Aug 18, 2025, 12-1pm Mountain time (meeting link).
Eligibility
Any investigator at an accredited institution of higher learning is eligible to apply for a grant through the Montana Water Center. Proposals involving collaboration between 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.