The Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) provides grants for research projects under the Water Resources Research Act, Section 104(b). The Section 104(b) program, which is administered by the U.S. Geological Survey, provides support for small research projects on water-related issues in each of the 50 states, 3 territories and the District of Columbia. Funds for the program are appropriated annually by the U.S. Congress as part of the Department of the Interior budget.
Section 104(b) of the Water Resources Research Act requires the Institutes or Centers to:
(1) Plan, conduct, or otherwise arrange for competent applied and peer reviewed research that fosters –
- Improvements in water supply reliability;
- The exploration of new ideas that –
- address water problems; or
- expand understanding of water and water-related phenomena;
- The entry of new research scientists, engineers, and technicians into water resources fields; and
- The dissemination of research results to water managers and the public.
(2) Cooperate closely with other colleges and universities in the State that have demonstrated capabilities for research, information dissemination, and graduate training in order to develop a statewide program designed to resolve State and regional water and related land problems.
(3) Cooperate closely with other institutes and other organizations in the region to increase the effectiveness of the institutes and for the purpose of promoting regional coordination.
Proposals are solicited annually in the spring. Project proposals are submitted to the WRRC for review and selection. The project year runs from September 1 through August 31.
Faculty and research personnel at any of Arizona’s three state universities may submit proposals that feature student work.
More information on the Small Research Grants Program – 104(b) can be found at the National Institutes for Water Resources (NIWR) website.