Created by an act of Congress in 1879, the USGS provides science for a changing world, which reflects and responds to society’s continuously evolving needs. As the science arm of the Department of the Interior, the USGS brings an array of earth, water, biological, and mapping data and expertise to bear in support of decision-making on environmental, resource, and public safety issues.
The grant focuses on advancing water resource research and management through wider dissemination of research results to water managers and the public, improvement of water supply reliability, fostering innovative research addressing water problems, supporting the entry of new professionals into the water resources field, and promoting regional coordination among water resources institutes, colleges, universities, and organizations. It specifically supports applied and peer-reviewed research projects that align with the objectives of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984, including those that enhance understanding of water phenomena, tackle state and regional water and related land problems, and encourage collaborative efforts to increase the effectiveness of water resource management. Applications for funding are accepted exclusively from Water Resources Institutes or Centers established under the Act across the United States and its territories, with proposals being considered from faculty members or affiliates at higher education institutions within their respective states.