National Water Quality Program RFA

Rick Koelsch, UNL Extension, May 15, 2014 USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has released a request for proposals for the National Water Quality Program (NIWQP). The goal of NIWQP is to contribute to the improvement of the quality of surface water and groundwater resources through research, education, and extension activities. The 2014 RFA targets two types of projects. Farm, Landscape, and Watershed scale projects Projects that develop the science behind the most appropriate drought triggers and provide an understanding of the connection between trigger levels and drought management responses or decisions.  Projects that provide estimates of the economic value of water across different uses.  Economic valuation depends not only on quantity but other competing demands such as quality, location, reliability of access, and time of availability.  Applicants should identify how values of water affect water use decision-making and what are the implications for water availability from those decisions.  Projects should focus on biophysical, social, economic, and behavioral practices needed to improve both the adoption and maintenance of practices intended to improve water availability for agriculture. Total project budgets  may not exceed $660,000 for up to three year and total available funding is $3,250,000. Synthesis Project   Applications are being solicited for a project that will synthesize the scientific understanding and accomplishments made through NIFA’s portfolio of funded water projects over the last one and a half decades. The proposal should propose possible strategies moving forward for a program that is effective in solving water issues, including identification of key priority water topics for NIFA. Total project budgets  must not exceed $750,000 for up to three year and total available funding is $750,000. Additional Facts: Solicitation Date (Opening) May 2, 2014 Due Date (Closing) July 3, 2014 Estimated Total Program Funding $4,000,000.00 Percent of Applications Funded Last Fiscal Year 20% Cost Sharing Requirements If commodity-specific benefits, dollar-for-dollar match required. See RFA for details. For More Information Contact James P Dobrowolski

Additional Information can be found at: Request for Application (RFA) NIWQP Frequently Ask Questions (FAQ s