[U.S. National Science Foundation](https://www.nsf.gov)

Proposals accepted anytime

$30,000–$1,000,000 per award | Typical research awards: $250,000–$700,000 over 2–4 years | Up to $10M total program funding annually

Supports fundamental research on water cycle processes, hydrologic transport, and the interactions of water with landscapes, ecosystems, and climate.

--- ## Description The Hydrologic Sciences Program at NSF funds research that advances understanding of the water cycle, including the movement and transport of water, mass, and energy across the terrestrial environment. Supported topics include rainfall, runoff, infiltration, streamflow, evaporation, transpiration, groundwater flow, and the transport of suspended, dissolved, and colloidal materials. The program emphasizes studies that link water fluxes and their transported constituents across boundaries within the terrestrial system, and investigates how these processes are organized over time, or altered by land use and climate change. Research may address physical, chemical, or biological processes directly coupled to water transport, with a strong focus on fundamental questions and transferable knowledge rather than site-specific case studies. Interdisciplinary projects involving basic sciences, engineering, or mathematics are encouraged, and proposals may be jointly reviewed with related NSF programs. The program also considers synthesis projects that integrate existing knowledge to advance hydrologic science. --- ## Due Dates - Proposals accepted anytime --- ## Funding Amount - Estimated total program funding: $10,000,000 annually (subject to availability) - Expected number of awards: ~35 per year - Award size: - Regular research: generally $250,000–$700,000 over 2–4 years - Synthesis projects: up to $1,000,000 over 3–5 years - Minimum per award: $30,000; Maximum per award: $1,000,000 --- ## Eligibility - **Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs):** Accredited two- and four-year institutions (including community colleges) located in the U.S., acting on behalf of their faculty. - For international branch campuses of U.S. IHEs: Must justify the necessity and benefit of conducting research at the international campus. - **Non-profit, non-academic organizations:** Independent museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies, and similar U.S.-based organizations directly associated with research or educational activities. - **PI Eligibility:** No restrictions on who may serve as PI. - **Proposal Limits:** No limits per organization or PI, but declined proposals cannot be resubmitted for one year without substantial revision (see [EAR resubmission policy](https://www.nsf.gov/geo/ear/resubmission_policy.jsp)). --- ## Application Process - **Submission Platforms:** Proposals may be submitted via [FastLane](https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/), [Research.gov](https://www.research.gov/), or [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/). - **Letters of Intent/Preliminary Proposals:** Not required. - **Full Proposal:** Must follow the [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=pappg). - **Budget Guidance:** Equipment requests generally should not exceed $50,000 unless justified; cost sharing is not permitted. - **Data Management:** All PIs must adhere to the [EAR Data Policy](https://www.nsf.gov/geo/ear/2010EAR_data_policy_9_28_10.pdf) and submit metadata for all data products. - **Review Criteria:** Proposals are evaluated on Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts. --- ## Additional Information - Projects involving foreign work must describe collaborations and secure relevant permits. - Synthesis projects are encouraged, especially those that significantly advance hydrologic science. - Principal Investigators are strongly encouraged to use [CUAHSI HIS](https://www.cuahsi.org/instructions-for-nsf-principal-investigators) for data management. - For proposals requiring facility support (e.g., GAGE, SAGE, NCALM), letters of support or subaward requests may be necessary. --- ## External Links - [NSF Hydrologic Sciences Program Page](https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/hydrologic-sciences/13684) - [Full Program Solicitation (NSF 15-558)](http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf15558) - [Official Grants.gov Opportunity](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/359388) - [NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)](https://www.nsf.gov/policies/pappg/24-1) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | |---------------------|----------------------------------|----------------| | Laura Lautz | llautz@nsf.gov | (703) 292-7775 | | Ingrid Padilla | ipadilla@nsf.gov | (703) 292-2268 | | Justin Lawrence | jlawrenc@nsf.gov | (703) 292-2425 | | Grants.gov Support | grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov | - | | NSF Information | info@nsf.gov | (703) 292-5111 | For technical support with FastLane or Research.gov: 1-800-673-6188 For Grants.gov support: 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov ---

Hydrologic Sciences (HS)

Sign in to see full grant listing