Opportunity Information: Apply for G21AS00258
The USGS Water Use Data and Research (WUDR) Program Announcement for Fiscal Year 2021 is a discretionary, two-year cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) through its Water Availability and Use Science Program (WAUSP). The opportunity is aimed specifically at State water resource agencies that already collect, manage, estimate, or report water-use information. The main purpose is to strengthen the collection and reporting of water-use data so it can support both State-level decision-making and a consistent national picture of how water is being used across different sectors and locations.
This funding is grounded in federal law under Public Law 111-11 (the SECURE Water Act), Subtitle F, Section 9508, which establishes the "National Water Availability and Use Assessment Program." In practical terms, the program is designed to improve the availability, quality, compatibility, and delivery of State-generated water-use data so it can be integrated with USGS datasets and used more effectively at regional and national scales. A key requirement tied to this authority is data openness: any water-use or water-availability datasets produced with these funds must be made available in a machine-readable, open format so USGS can incorporate the information into its national systems and analyses.
The broader scientific context for the grant is the USGS National Water Use Science Project, which has produced national water-use estimates since 1950 and publishes those estimates in five-year reporting cycles. Those long-running estimates provide one of the main historical baselines for understanding how water demand changes over time and how water is allocated among major use categories. By supporting State agencies through cooperative agreements, the WUDR program helps fill the data gaps and improves the consistency of the underlying information that feeds into these national estimates. The end goal is a more complete and reliable understanding of the availability, timing, quality, and actual use of water resources needed to meet current and future demands.
From an outcomes perspective, the program supports water managers and the public by improving the information needed to evaluate and plan for water use across categories such as irrigation and public supply. It also explicitly aligns with Department of the Interior Secretarial priorities by giving State agencies better tools to monitor present conditions and anticipate or reduce future water conflicts that can emerge as environmental conditions, population patterns, and economic activity shift. In other words, this is not just about data collection for its own sake; it is about building usable, comparable datasets that can inform planning, reduce uncertainty, and help agencies respond to emerging challenges.
The program is implemented through USGS Water Science Centers located across all 50 States, the Territories, and the District of Columbia, and it emphasizes collaboration. Water-use data are commonly assembled through coordination among State and federal agencies, Tribes, water authorities, local governments, communities, corporations, academic partners, and the private sector. The cooperative agreement structure reflects that reality by encouraging ongoing communication and shared work between USGS water-use scientists and State partners, and by improving the flow of information between the Department of the Interior and State natural resource and water offices.
Key administrative details from the announcement include the funding opportunity number G21AS00258, the instrument type (cooperative agreement), and the primary topic area (natural resources) under CFDA 15.981. Eligible applicants are State water resource agencies that collect or manage water-use data. The award ceiling listed is $125,000, the original closing date was May 13, 2021, and the opportunity was created on February 26, 2021. Examples of previously funded projects are referenced as being available through the USGS Water-Use Data and Research Program, which applicants can use to understand the types of work and deliverables USGS has supported in past cycles.Apply for G21AS00258
- The Geological Survey in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "USGS Water Use Data and Research Program Announcement for Fiscal Year 2021" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.981.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2021-02-26.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-05-13. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $125,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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USGS Water Use Data and Research (WUDR) Program (FY 2021) - Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is the USGS Water Use Data and Research (WUDR) Program announcement for FY 2021?
It is a discretionary, two-year cooperative agreement funding opportunity offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) through its Water Availability and Use Science Program (WAUSP). The announcement focuses on strengthening State water-use data collection and reporting so the data can support State decision-making and contribute to a consistent national picture of water use.
2) What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?
The goal is to improve the collection, reporting, and overall usefulness of water-use data produced by States. The program aims to strengthen the availability, quality, compatibility, and delivery of State-generated water-use information so it can be integrated with USGS datasets and used effectively at regional and national scales.
3) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are State water resource agencies that already collect, manage, estimate, or report water-use information.
4) Is this a grant or a cooperative agreement?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. The structure emphasizes collaboration and ongoing communication between USGS water-use scientists and State partners.
5) How long is the award period?
The announcement describes it as a two-year cooperative agreement.
6) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The listed award ceiling is $125,000.
7) What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is G21AS00258.
8) What is the CFDA number and topic area for this opportunity?
The opportunity is under CFDA 15.981, and the primary topic area is natural resources.
9) When was this opportunity created and when did it close?
The opportunity was created on February 26, 2021. The original closing date was May 13, 2021.
10) What federal law authorizes or supports this program?
The program is grounded in Public Law 111-11 (the SECURE Water Act), Subtitle F, Section 9508, which establishes the National Water Availability and Use Assessment Program.
11) What types of improvements does the program seek in State water-use data?
The program emphasizes improvements in availability, quality, compatibility, and delivery of State-generated water-use data so it can be incorporated into USGS national systems and analyses.
12) What is the data sharing or openness requirement for datasets produced with these funds?
A key requirement is that any water-use or water-availability datasets produced with these funds must be made available in a machine-readable, open format so USGS can incorporate the information into national systems and analyses.
13) Why does USGS emphasize compatibility and consistency of State water-use data?
Because the intent is to build a consistent national picture of water use across sectors and locations. More compatible and consistent State data helps reduce gaps and improves the reliability of information used at regional and national scales.
14) How does this opportunity relate to the USGS National Water Use Science Project?
The WUDR program is connected to the broader USGS National Water Use Science Project, which has produced national water-use estimates since 1950 and publishes those estimates in five-year reporting cycles. By supporting State agencies, WUDR helps improve the underlying data that feeds into these national estimates.
15) What are the national water-use estimates and why do they matter?
USGS national water-use estimates provide a long-running historical baseline for understanding how water demand changes over time and how water is allocated among major use categories. Improving State inputs improves the completeness and consistency of those estimates.
16) What kinds of water-use categories are mentioned as examples of where improved data can help?
The announcement references categories such as irrigation and public supply as examples of water-use areas where improved information supports evaluation and planning.
17) What outcomes or benefits does the program aim to deliver?
The program aims to provide water managers and the public with better information to evaluate and plan for water use. It supports a more complete and reliable understanding of water availability, timing, quality, and actual use to meet current and future demands.
18) How does this program connect to Department of the Interior priorities?
It explicitly aligns with Department of the Interior Secretarial priorities by helping State agencies monitor present conditions and anticipate or reduce future water conflicts that may arise as environmental conditions, population patterns, and economic activity change.
19) Where is the program implemented?
The program is implemented through USGS Water Science Centers located across all 50 States, the Territories, and the District of Columbia.
20) What does collaboration look like under this cooperative agreement?
The opportunity emphasizes shared work and ongoing communication between USGS water-use scientists and State partners. It also reflects how water-use data are commonly assembled through coordination among many entities.
21) Which kinds of organizations commonly coordinate on water-use data, according to the announcement?
The announcement notes coordination among State and federal agencies, Tribes, water authorities, local governments, communities, corporations, academic partners, and the private sector.
22) What is the practical reason USGS is funding State water-use data work?
The focus is not data collection for its own sake. The practical aim is to build usable, comparable datasets that reduce uncertainty, improve planning, and help agencies respond to emerging challenges.
23) How does WUDR help with data gaps?
By supporting State agencies that already manage water-use information, the program helps fill gaps and improves consistency in the data that ultimately contributes to broader regional and national understanding of water use.
24) Are examples of previously funded projects available?
Yes. The announcement indicates that examples of previously funded projects are available through the USGS Water-Use Data and Research Program, and that applicants can use these examples to understand the kinds of work and deliverables supported in past cycles.
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