Funding Opportunities
Request for Proposals
Fiscal Year 2026
Under Section 104 of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984, as amended
Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute
Mississippi State University
2745 West Line Road, Mississippi State, MS 39762
(662) 325-3295
lisa.dye@msstate.edu
Proposals Due: March 16, 2026, 5 p.m. CST
The Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute funds annual water-related projects through the U.S. Geological Survey 104b program. This document contains application requirements for fiscal year 2026. Period of Performance: Sept. 1, 2026-Aug. 31, 2027.
MWRRI is soliciting faculty research proposals that include graduate-level student research with budgets up to $35,000. Budgets must include a 1-to-1 cost-share/match. Proposals selected by the MWRRI advisory board will be invited to submit a full proposal, which may require additional information or modifications and are not guaranteed funding.
Please contact MWRRI with questions. Past projects can be found online at https://water.usgs.gov/wrri.
Lisa Dye
lisa.dye@msstate.edu
662-325-3295
Eligibility
Any faculty member or affiliate at an institution of higher education in the State of Mississippi can apply. Federal employees are NOT eligible as a principal investigator and cannot receive federal funding but can participate as a co-investigator.
Types of Proposals
We are soliciting faculty research proposals that include graduate-level student research.
Funding and Match Requirements (1:1)
Funding is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Based on federal appropriations, funding amounts and timelines may be adjusted. All proposals must match each federal dollar with one non-federal dollar, or a 1:1 cost-share/match. Total budget before cost-share/match should not exceed $35,000.
Examples of non-federal funding sources:
- Non-federal salaries, wages, and benefits.
- Indirect costs on the non-federal matching funds.
- Waived indirect costs on the federal funds request, except on equipment and tuition; indirect costs (F&A) are not allowable in the federal funds request.
- Other sources of non-federal funds may be allowable. If requesting cost-share/match funds from sources not listed above, contact MWRRI staff to ensure these funds comply with USGS regulations.
All funds must be used during the stated project period.
MWRRI 104b Program Objectives
Preference will be given to proposals that align with the institute’s objectives, including projects that:- Feature applied research that addresses water quality and quantity challenges.
- Provide graduate-level student training and support.
- Publish results in peer-reviewed scientific literature and transfer information to stakeholders and the public.
- Support early career faculty in water research and preliminary data.
- Address water-related emergencies and conflicts, or contaminant transport.
Research Areas of Particular Interest
The Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute is soliciting proposals that address at least one of the seven Vision Focus Areas for 2020-2030 as outlined by USGS:- Water scarcity and availability.
- Water-related hazards and climate variability.
- Water quality.
- Water policy, planning, and socioeconomics.
- Ecosystem and drainage basin functions.
- Water technology and innovation.
- Workforce development and water literacy.
Project Reporting Requirements
If selected for funding, you will be required to complete and provide the following:- Quarterly progress reports.
- An end-of-project year report based on USGS requirements.
- Pictures of you and your team in the field, lab, or at conferences.
- Acknowledgement to both the USGS and MWRRI when publishing or presenting material related to this 104b-funded project.
Proposal Requirements
Completed proposals should be emailed as a word document along with budget worksheet to Lisa Dye at lisa.dye@msstate.edu no later than 5:00pm on March 16, 2026.
Proposals should not exceed 6 single-spaced pages, excluding references, data management plan, investigator’s qualifications, and budget. Prior to submitting your proposal to MWRRI, please follow your institution’s guidelines for internal approval and routing of proposals.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS MAY DISQUALIFY YOUR PROPOSAL FROM THE SELECTION PROCESS.
Proposals are shared with our advisory board, where members provide review and give guidance on proposal selection. If your proposal is selected, you will be contacted and may include adequately addressing questions or comments from the reviewers.
Proposals must utilize the outline below.
Project Title
Be concise, but descriptive.
Investigator’s Names and Affiliations
Provide name, academic rank, university, email address and phone number of the PI and any Co-PI(s).
Project Type
State “Research.”
Congressional District
Of the university where the work is to be conducted.
WRRI Science Priorities
Choose the one category that most closely applies from the following: Water Scarcity and Availability, Water Hazards and Climate Variability, Water Quality, Water Policy, Planning and Socioeconomics, Watershed and Ecosystem Function, Water Technology and Innovation, or Workforce Development and Water Literacy.
Primary Cross-Discipline Science Topic
Choose the one category that most closely applies from the following: Climate, Energy, HABs, Indian Water Rights, Natural Hazards, Oceans/Coastal/Great Lakes, STEM, Water challenges, or Other.
Key Words
Choose a maximum of three focus categories. List the preferred focus category first: Acid Deposition, Agriculture, Climatological Processes, Conservation, Drought, Ecology, Economics, Education, Floods, Geomorphological Processes, Geochemical Processes, Groundwater, Hydrogeochemistry, Hydrology, Invasive Species, Irrigation, Law, Institutions, and Policy, Management and Planning, Methods, Models, Nitrate Contamination, Non-Point Pollution, Nutrients, or Radioactive Substances.
Training Potential
List the number of undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD level students who will work on this project.
Start Date
Expected start date is September 1, 2026.
End Date
Expected end date is August 31, 2027.
Abstract
Provide a brief description of the problem, methods, and objectives in 300 words or less.
Plain Language Summary
Provide a brief (150 words) description of the study that could be understandable by the public.
Statement of State or Regional Water Problem
Describe the problem and why your research is important and needed. Why should the reviewers want to support your research agenda?
Statement of Results and Benefits
Specify what kind of information will be gained, how it will be used, and by who. How is this research innovative? Describe how this work will further the goals of MWRRI and be useful for the State of Mississippi.
Nature, Scope, and Objectives
Identify the objectives and hypotheses of the research project being proposed. Provide a timeline of activities in table format. Your proposed project MUST be completed within the given project period.
Methods, Procedures, and Facilities
Provide detailed information about the methods and equipment you plan to use. Describe the study site location(s) and the laboratory facilities you plan to use. Include enough detail such that reviewers can understand and evaluate the ability of the team to satisfy the stated objectives. Include description of statistical analyses you plan to use to test your hypotheses.
Related Research
Briefly describe the current state of the literature regarding your topic, how you will provide the next level of understanding your topic. Describe the knowledge gap you will address.
Investigator’s Qualifications
Include short (no more than two pages) biographical sketches of the
principal investigator(s).
References
Year published. Title of Article. Name of Journal. Volume (Issue).
Detailed Budget Breakdown
Please complete the budget tables in the fillable excel form available here
Budget Justification
Please complete the fillable form available here
Cost Share Documentation
Provide cost share letters to support the budget and budget justification.
Data Management Plan
Describe your plan for meeting USGS Data Management requirements, see https://www.usgs.gov/data-management/data-management-plans. Not to exceed two pages.