Research Programs
The Foundation recognizes that customer and stakeholder needs are diverse and many of the issues of interest are complex and cannot be addressed with a singular approach. As a result, a multiple-program approach is utilized for conducting research and includes four funding mechanisms.
Solicited Research Program
The Solicited Research program is the Foundation’s core research program. The objective of the Solicited Research program is to sponsor research projects that best address the current and emerging priority issues for Subscribers and the water reuse and desalination community. Solicited Research refers to research projects in which contractors are selected through a competitive process. Requests for Proposals (RFPs) are released throughout the year.
Unsolicited Research Program
The Unsolicited Research program is intended to promote innovative research through projects proposed by researchers. Unsolicited Research projects typically address emerging issues and involve original concepts and novel techniques. Consistent with the Foundation’s other research programs, the Unsolicited Research program is designed to meet the future needs of the water reuse and desalination community by encouraging innovative and creative research solutions to priority issues. A Call for Preproposals is released in the first quarter of each year. The Foundation requests full proposals for the most promising projects and awards are made in the fall.
The Foundation has decided not to fund the Unsolicited Program in 2012 in an effort to dedicate resources to the Solicited and Tailored Collaboration Programs this year.
Feasibility Studies Research Program
The Feasibility Studies Research Program funds low-cost literature reviews or white papers on important issues in order to consolidate the known information to date on a topic, provide an established framework and direction for future research on a given topic, avoid duplication in research that is currently being undertaken by other organizations, or to allow the redirection of extra research funds.
Tailored Collaboration Program
Because the Tailored Collaboration (TC) program is reserved for Foundation Subscribers, it is one of the primary benefits of Subscribership. The TC program is designed to provide direct Subscriber involvement in regional research projects or projects addressing common issues for a group of water utilities. The TC program promotes the involvement of Foundation Subscribers in research and provides other utilities with access to the research results. Proposals are accepted throughout the year.
Research Partnership Program
The Foundation actively pursues opportunities to leverage funding and share knowledge through research partnerships with other organizations. Research partners are typically nonprofit organizations with research objectives similar to those of the Foundation. Examples of Foundation partnering organizations include the Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Sandia National Laboratories, Water Research Foundation, Water Environment Research Foundation, and the United Kingdom Water Industry Research Limited.
