The North Carolina Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI), along with the U.S. Geological Survey 104(b) program, is requesting faculty pre-proposals and student full proposals for 2022-2023 water resources research and information-transfer projects.
This funding opportunity is designed to foster the exploration of new ideas to improve water supply reliability, expand understanding of water and water-related phenomena, as well as encourage new research scientists, engineers, and technicians to enter into water resources fields. Researchers should include plans to disseminate their research results to water managers and the public. The overall goal is to develop a statewide program designed to resolve state and regional water and related land issues.
In collaboration with the USGS 104(b) program, WRRI has a particular interest in research aiming to improve water supply reliability and research to develop novel ideas for addressing water issues and phenomena. Grant recipients may also work together with the state’s Urban Water Consortium (UWC) and Stormwater Consortium (SWC) to apply research to water and wastewater utilities and North Carolina’s municipal programs.
Faculty pre-proposals are due Monday, Sept. 16, 2022, at 5 p.m.
Full student proposals are due Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, at 5 p.m.
Faculty will be notified in early November if they are invited to submit a full application.
Full description of research priorities for the 2022-2023 funding period are provided in the official Request for Proposals, available online. Here are highlights:
Faculty: Faculty and University Affiliates of any accredited college or university (public or private) in North Carolina may apply. While students and post-docs are not eligible to apply as a principal investigator (PI), undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral support may be included in proposals. We especially encourage student support and student training opportunities. Although not eligible to apply directly, WRRI encourages industry and private groups to partner with university researchers in response to this call.
Students: For student proposals, only full-time graduate students in good academic standing who are attending an accredited college or university (public or private) in North Carolina may apply. Undergraduate participation in the proposed projects is encouraged.
Faculty: Pre-proposals may be submitted for either 1- or 2-year projects. The maximum award for a 2year project is $120,000, with a $60,000 annual limit. The maximum award for a 1-year project is $60,000. The limit refers only to direct costs. Per the language in the WRRA, WRRI does not pay indirect costs.
Students: Full proposals for student research may be submitted for 1-year projects only. The maximum award for a 1-year student project is $10,000.
