Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program, National Ground-Water Monitoring Network- 2021 Round 2 | G21AS00419

Opportunity Information: Apply for G21AS00419

The Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program, National Ground-Water Monitoring Network (NGWMN) 2021 Round 2 grant (Funding Opportunity Number G21AS00419) is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) focused on strengthening and expanding the National Ground-Water Monitoring Network. The overall goal is to support groundwater data collection and, just as importantly, improve how those data are organized, classified, and delivered through the NGWMN Data Portal so they can be compared and used consistently across states and regions. The program is structured to help agencies that already monitor groundwater, as well as bring new data providers into the network, with an emphasis on standardized site information and dependable data access.

For Federal Fiscal Year 2021, USGS expects to make up to $700,000 available under this announcement, though that total is an estimate and does not guarantee a specific number of awards or any particular award size. Individual applications are capped at $150,000 for a one-year project or $300,000 for a two-year project, with all work required to be completed within a two-year performance cycle that starts when the award is signed and funds become available. Applicants are expected to propose start dates within a narrow window, between November 1, 2021 and December 30, 2021, reflecting the program’s planned implementation schedule for that funding round.

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant, which signals that USGS expects to be actively involved during the project. That involvement includes hands-on support for new data providers as they go through the NGWMN site selection and site classification process, and technical help in establishing web services that can communicate with and feed data into the NGWMN Data Portal. USGS also anticipates providing guidance to existing data providers on practical aspects of improving monitoring sites, such as better techniques for collecting and managing site metadata, well maintenance activities, and in some cases well drilling that supports NGWMN development. In other words, this opportunity is designed as a partnership where USGS expertise and oversight are part of the value of the award, not just the funding.

A specific cost limitation applies to routine work tied to maintaining persistent data services under Objective 2, where funding for routine maintenance (identified as Objective 2A) is limited to $20,000 per year. This suggests the program wants applicants to focus resources on meaningful integration and improvement efforts, while still allowing modest support for ongoing service continuity that keeps data accessible and reliable over time.

Eligibility is geared toward government entities and other qualifying organizations that collect groundwater data, with an emphasis on state and local water-resource agencies. The eligible applicant categories listed include state governments, county governments, and city or township governments, along with “others” as defined in the full announcement. The activity area is natural resources, and the program is associated with CFDA number 15.980. The original application closing date for this round was May 24, 2021, and the opportunity was created on April 6, 2021. Overall, the opportunity targets agencies that can contribute high-value groundwater monitoring information and are prepared to align their data, site descriptions, and delivery methods with the national NGWMN framework so the information can be accessed and used consistently at broader scales.

• The Geological Survey in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program, National Ground-Water Monitoring Network- 2021 Round 2" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.980.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-04-06.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-05-24. (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 $300,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Others.

Apply for G21AS00419

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