WERF is Now Accepting Pre-Proposals for the 2014 Unsolicited Research Program
Published on by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network in Academic
WERF funds water research on behalf of its subscribers, and facilitates collaboration among organizations seeking funding partners for high-priority issues. WERF awards a contract through a competitive process and coordinates an independent technical review project through a staff-assigned project manager. All qualified entities- including international organizations and disadvantaged business enterprises-are encouraged to submit research proposals.
Pre-Proposals to Fund Research that Could Fundamentally Transform Wastewater and
Stormwater Management
Pre-Proposal packages must be received no later than 5:00 pm EDT on Thursday, July 17, 2014
The Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) seeks pre-proposals of not more than five (5) pages in length for WERF's 2014 Unsolicited Research Program. Proposers are invited to submit on topics consistent with WERF's mission, that is, to advance science and technology addressing water issues as they impact water resources, the atmosphere, the land, and quality of life.
The Unsolicited Research Program supports WERF in its mission by funding research projects that can be the catalyst for transforming our understanding of our water resources and our ability to protect and preserve them in a sustainable and cost effective manner and to minimize impact on health and the environment. WERF seeks research that will significantly advance knowledge and understanding and that could fundamentally transform how WERF Subscribers perform their work. WERF also considers proposals that would take existing research to the next level of completion, including demonstrations of new technologies resulting in practical solutions to water-related problems.
Proposals in all relevant wastewater, stormwater, and water quality areas are welcome. WERF currently has research under way in several areas including: Nutrient Removal, Strategic Asset Management, Trace Organics, Stormwater, Climate Change, Resource Recovery, Sensor Integration and Guidance, Energy Production and Efficiency, Sustainable Integrated Water Management, Linking Contaminant Sources to Impacts, and Trace Organics in Biosolids. Visit WERF's website at www.werf.org for a complete list of ongoing and completed research - as this will help proposers avoid duplication and learn more about WERF's mission.
In previous years, the Unsolicited Research Program also provided a mechanism for submittals and funding of demonstrations of innovative technologies. The launch and growth of the WERF / WEFLIFT(Leaders Innovation Forum for Technology) program has placed an increased emphasis and urgency on moving new technologies into practice and accelerating innovation. Towards this end, the 2014 Unsolicited Research Program also encourages submittals of applications to test and evaluate innovative technologies at wastewater and stormwater facilities such that findings can be shared with the broader water quality community and facility owners and their advisors can gain confidence in the performance of new approaches more quickly. High-priority technology Focus Areas currently identified by LIFT include: Biosolids to Energy, Energy from Wastewater, Digestion Enhancements, Nutrient Removal, P-Recovery, Collection Systems, and Green Infrastructure.
Anticipated WERF Cost:WERF's goal is to fund as many proposals as possible of varying scope that meaningfully advance science and technology on behalf of our Subscribers. Proposers are encouraged to submit realistic budgets that include other resources (such as in-kind or in-cash contributions) as needed to bring the proposed research to a meaningful conclusion or to a significant milestone.
Anticipated period of performance:up to 2 years
Pre-proposals are due:July 17, 2014
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Taxonomy
- Heath & Safety
- Sludge Separation
- Water Quality