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

The Water Resources Research Act Program National Competitive Grants FY2026, solicitation G27AS00164, is administered by the U.S. Geological Survey under the Department of the Interior. This program seeks the development, testing, and demonstration of innovative, scalable methodologies to observe, estimate, and validate water use by data centers and other water-intensive industries. Key technical objectives include integrating diverse data sources, utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance transparency, and quantifying water reuse and seasonal variability. The anticipated period of performance runs from May 1, 2027, to April 30, 2030, with an estimated total program funding of 462,500 dollars and an individual award ceiling of 120,000 dollars. Proposals must be submitted as a single PDF file by November 12, 2026, through Grants.gov by an Authorized Organization Representative. Evaluation is based on a merit review process scoring alignment with Executive and Secretarial Orders, scientific value, integration with USGS science, and training potential. Required documentation includes a project abstract, biographical sketches, a data management plan, and detailed budget information. Awardees must comply with strict regulations regarding patent rights, GIS data submission in open formats, and the prohibition of funds for lobbying. Payments are processed through the Department of the Treasury Automated Standard Application for Payments system.