The WRRC’s FY 2023 call for 104(b) research grant proposals has been delayed by national level changes to the 104(b) program schedule. Interested researchers at any of Arizona’s three universities should look for the Request for Proposals (RFP) in December 2022. As usual, the RFP will invite proposals with strong student involvement for research on regionally relevant water issues. The WRRC evaluates proposals and selects the individual projects to include in the full proposal it submits to the US Geological Survey (USGS) as part of the Water Resources Research Act program. In this cycle, selection is likely to occur in March 2023. No important changes in requirements or selection criteria are expected.



In recent years, the USGS has been adjusting the program’s calendar in response to changes in federal administrative procedures and the congressional appropriations process. For many years previous, the annual call was announced in early Fall. Proposals were submitted to the WRRC in November, the WRRC’s full proposal was due in January, awards were made in February, and projects began March 1. According to the new schedule, the project year has shifted by six months. The USGS will issue the official RFP in March 2023, and awards will be issued around September 1. During this transition period, the WRRC, like other national water institutes generally, is not waiting for the official RFP to solicit research proposals.