The West Virginia Water Research Institute is requesting proposals for research expected to be funded September 1, 2021 for a period of 1 to 3 years. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Department of the Interior, will sponsor the research. $3,500,000 in estimated total funding is available through the USGS Water Resources Research Act Program as described in the following three announcements. This competitive grant program focuses on water problems and issues of regional or interstate nature. Thus, proposals with regional partnerships are highly encouraged.

Faculty from all West Virginia colleges and universities are encouraged to submit proposals to WVWRI. Awards are available only to Water Research Institutes or any investigator at an institution of higher learning who applies through the state Water Research Institute. Notifications of Intent to Submit must be submitted to WVWRI via email to: wvwri@mail.wvu.edu by 5:00 pm on May 27, 2021. Proposals must be submitted to WVWRI in pdf format to: wvwri@mail.wvu.edu by 5:00 pm on June 10, 2021. Please include USGS104g in the subject line and indicate whether you are responding to the general, PFAS, or Aquatic Invasive Species RFP. Proposals submitted without notice of intent will not be accepted.
 

Water Resources Research Act Program National Competitive Grants

Proposals are sought on the topic of improving and enhancing the nation’s water supply and availability, and promoting the exploration of new ideas that address or expand our understanding of water problems, including:

• Socioeconomics and water use.
• Water related hazards and public health.
• Harmful algal blooms (HABs).

An estimated $1,500,000 is available for an expected 6 awards with a maximum award of $250,000. 
 

Water Resources Research Act Program: Per- and Polyflouroalkyl (PFAS) Substances Competitive Grants

The challenges and opportunities of understanding the impact of per-and polyflouroalkyl (PFAS) substances on water resources are poorly understood, despite the real and growing impact of this group of man-made substances on water quality. Research is needed to better understand these interactions and guide management decisions that will improve water resources at the regional scale or national scale. Proposals are sought on the following specific areas of inquiry:

• Fate, persistence, transport, and impacts of PFAS substances.
• Social and/or economic assessment of the spread, detection, impacts, solutions, and management of PFAS.

An estimated $1,000,000 is available for an expected 4 awards with a maximum award of $250,000.
 

Water Resources Research Act Program: Aquatic Invasive Species Competitive Grants FY2021

The challenges and opportunities of understanding the connection of aquatic invasive species and water resources are poorly understood, despite the real and growing impact of numerous aquatic invasive species on water quality and quantity. Research is needed to better understand these interactions and guide management decisions that will improve water resources at the regional scale. Proposals are sought on the following specific areas of inquiry:

• Impacts of aquatic invasive species on lakes and rivers in the Upper Mississippi River basin.
• Lake and river characteristics that infer resistance and resilience to establishment and impacts of aquatic invasive species in the Upper Mississippi River basin. 
• Social and/or economic assessment of the spread, detection, impacts, solutions, and management of aquatic invasive species in the Upper Mississippi River basin.

An estimated $1,000,000 is available for an expected 4 awards with a maximum award of $250,000.

Eligibility Requirements

Applications will be accepted only from Institutes or Centers established pursuant to the provisions of Section 104 of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984, as amended. The applicant may consider project proposals only from faculty members or affiliates at institutions of higher education in its State. Therefore, eligible applicants are faculty members or affiliates at institutions of higher education in the State of West Virginia.