New York State Water Resources Institute Grant Competition
New York State Water Resources Institute Grant Competition supports researchers in applied research, outreach, and policy analysis to advance New York’s watershed management, policy, and education priorities.
Funder: New York State Water Resources Institute (Cornell University)
Due Dates: November 16, 2026 (Interest Letters, close of business)
Funding Amounts: Recent rounds awarded more than $371,000 across multiple projects
Summary: Supports applied research, outreach, and policy analysis addressing New York’s water resources and watershed management priorities.
Key Information: WRI has limited capacity to support partner projects in 2027; Interest Letters do not automatically lead to proposal invitations.
Description
The New York State Water Resources Institute (WRI) at Cornell University runs this competition jointly with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Each fall, the partners invite researchers from across New York State to submit interest letters or pre-proposals for applied research, outreach, and policy analysis addressing critical water resource issues. The primary objective is to provide research and assessment support for watershed-based management, policy, outreach, and education.
Work should support WRI’s statewide Research and Outreach Agenda and the state’s watershed Action Agenda goals. The competition’s accompanying resources cover the Hudson River Estuary, Great Lakes Basin, and aquatic invasive species. These agendas connect research and outreach to water resource management priorities across the state.
