Guidelines and Forms
Proposal Guidelines
Our proposal guidelines are designed to ensure consistency and expedite the review process. Use the guidance and forms below to assist with proposal development.
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Research Priority Program
The Research Priority Program is a strategic research program broadly relevant to the water sector.
Forms
Proposal Cover Sheet (packet one, item 1)
Additional Co-PIs Form (packet one, optional)
Current and Pending Form (packet one, item 12)
Instructions for Budget Preparation
Proposal Budget Form (packet two, item 15)
Financial and Grant Management Researcher Guidelines
Financial Grant Management and Capabilities Form (packet two, item 18)
Certifications and Assurance Form (packet two, item 19)
Co-funding Support Form (packet two, item 21)
Project Demographic Data Collection Form (final form, not part of either packet)
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Tailored Collaboration Program
The Tailored Collaboration Program is a matching program designed to support utility-specific/regional issues. The full proposal guidelines, for those invited to submit full proposals, are coming soon.
Download the Pre-proposal Guidelines
The TC call for pre-proposals closed on June 3, 2024.
Forms for Pre-proposals
Forms for Full Proposals
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Unsolicited Research Program
The Unsolicited Research Program is designed to select and fund pioneering research projects that can significantly advance scientific knowledge and build practical water quality solutions.
Download the Full Proposal Guidelines
The Unsolicited call for pre-proposals closed on March 28, 2024.
Forms for Pre-proposals
Forms for Full Proposals
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Facilitated Research Program
The Facilitated Research Program enables utility subscribers to tap into our expertise in research management; independent expert review; project-specific procurement processes; and our long-standing, scientific credibility.
Forms
Policies
Our policies provide expectations for completing professional, credible research within budget and in a timely manner.
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No-Cost Extension Policy
Our No-Cost Extension Policy sets forth requirements and conditions under which we consider and approve no-cost schedule extensions for ongoing research projects, and limit the cumulative duration of such extensions.
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Timeliness Policy
Our Timeliness Policy is intended to help ensure that principal investigators (PIs) of ongoing projects adhere to the negotiated contract schedule. The policy sets forth eligibility requirements for PIs on ongoing projects, and their organizations, to submit proposals to the Foundation.
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Volunteer Travel Policy
Travel policy guidelines for WRF’s volunteer groups.
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Expense Report
Expense report template and training video for WRF’s volunteers.
For more detailed instructions, watch this video.
Contract Materials
Sample project funding agreements (PFAs) are provided to help gain an understanding of our research contract process. Several exhibits are also provided separately for data entry.
Intellectual Property Guidance
A webcast recording, guidelines, and a sample letter are provided to help research teams comply with intellectual property and copyright requirements for research reports and other deliverables.
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IP Guidance Links
Copyright Basics
This webcast for WRF researchers outlines the copyright requirements for research project deliverables and for using WRF project results in third-party publications.Intellectual Property Guidelines for PIs and Co-PIs
This document outlines the permitted uses of material developed for WRF research projects, including publishing material in third-party journals.Sample Letter Requesting Permission to Use Copyrighted Materials for Supporting Resources
This document provides a template letter for researchers to request permission to use materials copyrighted by other publishers.
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Project Launch and Interim Deliverables
Technology Deliverables Guidance
Project Information Summary Template
Periodic Report Format and Content
Documents for Preparing Research Reports
This zip file contains the Research Report Template, Project Deliverable Guidelines, and other documents researchers will need to prepare their project deliverables. You can download this zip file and unzip/extract the files to your local device instead of downloading the individual files. -
Draft and Final Deliverables
Project Deliverable Guidelines
Final Report Checklist
This checklist will help ensure your final report package is complete.