IWW is one of 54 state- or territory-based, water resources research institutes in the country. The centers were established by the 1964 federal Water Resources Research Act in order to address water research and education priorities in each state. The IWW receives federal matching funds to support water resources research and education activities in the Oregon.
The Water Resources Research Act authorizes two grant programs:
The National Competitive Grants Program (104(G)) supports research on water problems and issues of a regional or interstate nature. Any investigator at an institution of higher learning in the United States is eligible to apply -- IWW will help facilitate the application process for applicants from Oregon universities and colleges. The program encourages projects that involve collaboration between universities and the USGS.
The USGS web site has a compilation of the abstracts from projects awarded each year.
The State Small Grants Program (104(B)) support projects related to critical water issues in each state. The IWW administers the grants awarded in Oregon. All faculty at Oregon universities and colleges are eligible to apply. IWW annually releases an RFP for these grants and organizes a selection committee to review proposals. Grants require a 2:1 match of non-federal funds. In recent years, IWW has supplemented the USGS funds with additional funding from the Water and Watersheds Initiative.
The RFP for Small Grants is usually release in October of each year.
For examples of the types of projects funded by this program, please refer to the project reports from recent years as well as abstracts for projects funded for the current year (2008).
