104(g) National Competitive Grants
Objectives of this program include the following:
- Promote collaboration between the USGS and university scientists in research on significant national and regional water resources issues;
- Promote the dissemination and application of the results of the research funded under this program; and
- Assist in the training of scientists in relevant water resource fields. Proposals that include a strong educational component (student support) are encouraged, as are proposals from faculty beginning their careers.
October 1, 2026 Update
104(g) General
104(g) PFAS
104(g) grant funding is allocated into two categories, each with its own priorities and NOFO:
General 2026
The rapid expansion of data centers and other water intensive industries that rely on public supply systems has outpaced the availability of accurate, transparent, and timely information about their water use. Existing datasets often contain gaps, inconsistencies, and uncertainties that limit the ability of communities, utilities, and policymakers to make informed decisions. As public concern grows and water resource pressures intensify, there is a critical need for improved methodologies that can more reliably characterize industrial water withdrawals, cooling demands, and local impacts. This Notice of Funding Opportunity seeks to address these challenges by advancing observational and analytical approaches capable of reducing uncertainty and strengthening confidence in publicly available information.
PFAS 2026
As of Oct 1, 2026, the PFAS Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) has not yet been released by USGS. This webpage will be updated with additional information regarding the PFAS NOFO when that information is available. The FY 2025 NOFO may serve as a guide for the anticipated FY 2026 NOFO.