Open RFPs
Multiple Funding Options
The Water Research Foundation’s comprehensive One Water research approach includes five research programs designed to provide flexible funding and partnership opportunities. Learn more about these programs.
Respond to an RFP
Each Request for Proposal (RFP) outlines specific application requirements; submit your proposal following the guidance included in the RFP. Be sure to note deadlines as proposals submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
Note: you will receive a confirmation email after you submit your proposal. Check your spam folder if it is not received. Retain that confirmation email as it contains a link back to your proposal.
Respond to a Call for Pre-proposals
Two of our research programs follow a two-stage process beginning with a call for pre-proposals.
The Tailored Collaboration Program call for pre-proposals is now open for submission.
The next Unsolicited Research Program call for pre-proposals will open in 2026.
Open RFPs
Optimizing Sensor Networks and Advanced Sensing Techniques for Enhanced Collection Systems Management
Project Objectives
- To advance the optimization of the layout of sensor networks and sensing techniques in collection systems to enhance One Water management.
- To improve data analytics, forecasting, modeling, and intelligent platform/dashboard environments to help with operations for a range of flow conditions and control schemes, preventive and in‐time maintenance of collection systems, and optimization of capital improvement programs.
Advancing the Disinfection of Wet Weather‐Driven Sewer Overflows: Best Practices and Case Studies
Project Objectives
- To improve receiving water quality by fostering widespread adoption of disinfection practices and technologies, when needed, at strategic locations throughout sewersheds and at potential peak wet‐weather flow management points within water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) and stormwater treatment systems.
- To identify cost‐effective solutions and develop a user-friendly guidance document to add to a utility’s decision toolbox for combined sewer overflow (CSO) and sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) mitigation strategies.
Technology and Innovation for Assessing Operability and Full Closure of High-Consequence Valves
Project Objectives
This project will evaluate existing maintenance approaches for high-consequence valves, provide guidance on the evaluation of the approaches for valve assessment and maintenance (including the application of artificial intelligence (AI)), and inform an exploration of new maintenance approaches. Lastly, this project will provide useful communications materials and statistics to convey the importance of valves in a resilient distribution system, as well as valve rebuild methods for larger, more expensive valves.
Case Studies for Successful Watershed and Sewershed Monitoring and Decision Making
Project Objectives
Provide a comprehensive/robust compendium of case studies on management, economic, policy, and regulatory approaches showcasing an understanding of methods (including artificial intelligence [AI]), parameters, and drivers that impact ecosystem health at the watershed and sewershed scale.