USGS 104(b) Grant Program

The Arkansas Water Resources Center (AWRC), housed at the University of Arkansas, has released a request for pre-proposals for the Fiscal Year 2026 under the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 104(b) Competitive Research Grants Program. This program operates under the authority of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 and is part of a nationwide initiative to support applied research addressing critical water supply and quality issues. Administered locally by AWRC, the program emphasizes both research and information dissemination that benefits stakeholders in Arkansas and contributes to regional and national water management solutions. The 104(b) program provides two distinct funding tracks: faculty research and student-led research under the supervision of a faculty advisor. Faculty members or affiliates of higher education institutions in Arkansas may request up to $35,000 in federal funding. Students may apply for grants up to $10,000, provided their proposals are guided by a faculty sponsor and ultimately submitted under the faculty member's name. Importantly, all applicants must match each federal dollar requested with an equal amount of non-federal funds, resulting in a 1:1 cost-share requirement. Funding is contingent upon federal appropriations, and budgets must align with the project period from September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027. The program encourages proposals that align with AWRC’s core objectives, which include applied research into water quality and supply challenges, training and support of students, promotion of early-career faculty research, and support for experienced researchers addressing emerging water concerns. Collaboration with other academic and organizational entities in Arkansas or the surrounding region is also strongly encouraged. Proposals are expected to result in peer-reviewed publications and should demonstrate clear plans for transferring findings to relevant stakeholders and the public. Applicants must submit a pre-proposal in PDF format via email to Erin Grantz at [email protected] by 5:00 PM CST on March 2, 2026. Each submission should not exceed five single-spaced pages, not including CVs, references, or the budget. Pre-proposals will be reviewed by AWRC’s technical advisory committee. Selected applicants may be required to revise and resubmit a full proposal that addresses reviewers’ comments. Reporting requirements for funded projects include a final report suitable for publication in the Arkansas Bulletin of Water Research, submission of images documenting the research team and work activities, acknowledgment of USGS and AWRC in all dissemination materials, and participation in long-term project outcome tracking for up to six years post-completion. Proposals should clearly articulate the problem being addressed, anticipated outcomes, study methods, statistical analyses, and information transfer strategies. For student projects, additional explanation is required regarding how the research fits within the faculty sponsor’s broader research agenda. Overall, the AWRC 104(b) Grant Program represents an opportunity for Arkansas-based researchers to contribute to resolving water-related challenges while gaining valuable experience and support through a federally linked, competitively administered funding mechanism.