Introduction

Welcome to ERAS, NIWR's "Electronic Research Administration System".

This system is used to collect reporting data and proposal submissions for the State Water Resources Research Institute Program. This program, authorized by section 104 of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984, is a Federal-State partnership which:

• Plans, facilitates, and conducts research to aid in the resolution of State and regional water problems
• Promotes technology transfer and the dissemination and application of research results
• Provides for the training of scientists and engineers through their participitation in research
• Provides for competitive grants to be awarded under the Water Resources Research Act

Registration

All users of this system (Directors & staff of a Water Resources Institute or Center, principal investigators, co-principal investigators, collaborators, etc. on a proposal) must have a personal profile in the system database. Please choose the "Registration" link located on the side menu to register. You will be asked to provide a username, a first and last name, an email and the institute you are associated with. After submitting this form you will receive an email confirming your registration. The email will contain a link which will allow you to set your password. It is recommended that each individual register themselves into the database, however, the individual responsible for preparing and submitting a proposal may register all other individuals involved with the proposal. When an individual is registered in the system by someone else, they will not be able to choose their username. The username will automatically become that individual's email address. They will receive an email allowing them to set their password.

The System

You do not need an account in the system to view the RFP for the 104B and 104G programs.

There are currently four components which make up this system:

• Annual Grants Application - 104(B). Prior to and as a condition of the receipt each fiscal year of funds appropriated, each institute shall submit a water research program that includes assurances that a program was developed in close consultation and collaboration with the director of that State's department of water resources or similar agency, other leading water resources officials within the State, and interested members of the public. The program shall include plans to promote research, training, information dissemination, and other activities meeting the needs of the State and Nation, and shall encourage regional cooperation among institutes in research into areas of water management, development, and conservation that have a regional o r national character. View the USGS RFP
• Annual Technical Report. Each Institute must prepare an Annual Technical Report summarizing its activities during the reporting period under its base grant, Regional and National Competitive Grant Program for which it is the lead institute, NIWR-USGS Internships, and supplemental awards funded by either the USGS or by pass-through funds from another federal agency.

• National Competitive Grants Program - 104(G). This program issues an annual call for proposals to support research on water problems and issues of a regional or interstate nature beyond those of concern only to a single state and which relate to specific program priorities identified jointly by the USGS and the institutes. Any investigator at an institution of higher learning in the United States is eligible to apply for a grant through a Water Research Institute or Center established under the provisions of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984, as amended. Proposals involving substantial collaboration between the USGS and university scientists are encouraged. Successful applicants must match each dollar of the federal grant with one dollar from nonfederal sources. View the RFP.

• Five-Year Report. At least once every 5 years a careful and detailed evaluation of each institute is done to determine that the quality and relevance of its water resources research and its effectiveness as an institution for planning, conducting, and arranging for research warrants its continued support under section 104 of the Act. If, as a result of any such evaluation, it is determined that an institute does not qualify for further support under this section, then no further grants to the institute may be made until the institute's qualifications are satisfactorily reestablished.