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CFAs: Asset Health Monitoring to Buried Asset Management and Operations

Deadline: 20-Nov-2025

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is offering grants to advance asset health monitoring for large-diameter and transmission water pipes. This program supports the evaluation and application of emerging technologies, including fiber optic sensing, strain measurement, and AI-driven predictive maintenance, to improve pipeline structural integrity. Up to $250,000 is available per project, with applications due November 20, 2025.

Advancing Asset Health Monitoring for Large-Diameter and Transmission Pipes

Overview

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) invites applications for its funding program focused on enhancing structural and material monitoring of large-diameter and transmission pipelines in water distribution systems. The program seeks research that evaluates emerging monitoring technologies, develops predictive models, and demonstrates practical applications to extend pipeline asset life.

Aging water infrastructure presents significant challenges, and traditional periodic inspections often fail to detect early signs of structural failure. Real-time smart monitoring, combined with advanced analytics, offers a proactive approach to maintaining pipeline health and reliability.

Why It Matters

Maintaining water pipelines is critical to ensure:

  • Reliable water delivery

  • Public health protection

  • Reduced maintenance costs

  • Extended asset life

Large-diameter and transmission pipes are particularly vulnerable due to aging materials, environmental stresses, and increasing operational demands. Integrating advanced monitoring technologies improves early detection of mechanical issues and allows utilities to adopt predictive maintenance strategies.

Key Research Goals

WRF-funded projects should aim to:

  1. Identify and evaluate emerging asset health monitoring technologies for large-diameter and transmission pipes

  2. Develop and field-verify effective monitoring techniques

  3. Create models linking sensor data to material degradation and structural health

  4. Document successful applications of monitoring technologies in other water industry assets

  5. Integrate AI and machine learning for predictive maintenance and failure prevention

Key Concepts

Asset Health Monitoring

Structural health monitoring (SHM) involves using sensors to collect real-time data on material strain, pressure, temperature, and flow performance to detect early signs of deterioration.

Emerging Technologies

  • Distributed Fiber Optic Sensing (DFOS): Continuous monitoring of stress along pipelines

  • Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS): Detects vibrations, leaks, and anomalies

  • In situ Strain Measurement: Assesses relined pipe integrity, such as CFRP-lined PCCP

  • AI and Machine Learning: Predicts potential failures and enables predictive maintenance

Expected Deliverables

Projects should produce:

  • Research report summarizing findings and methodology

  • Guidance manual for utilities and pipeline managers

  • Case studies demonstrating field applications

  • Workshops or webinars for industry knowledge transfer

  • Technology demonstrations of successful monitoring techniques

  • Predictive models correlating sensor data to material degradation

Funding and Project Duration

  • Maximum WRF funding: $250,000

  • Required cost share: Minimum 33% (cash or in-kind)

  • Project duration: 12–24 months

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

  • Universities and academic institutions

  • Research organizations

  • Government agencies

  • Consultants and for-profit entities

  • U.S. and international applicants

Ineligible applicants:
Researchers with delayed WRF-sponsored projects without approved no-cost extensions.

How to Apply

Step 1: Prepare Proposal

  • Define objectives and methodology for evaluating monitoring technologies

  • Include plans for field verification and case studies

  • Outline predictive modeling and AI integration

  • Provide budget and cost-share information

Step 2: Submit Proposal

  • Format as a single PDF document

  • Submit online via the WRF portal

Step 3: Meet Deadline

  • Deadline: Thursday, November 20, 2025

  • Time: 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

  • Technical and scientific merit

  • Innovative use of monitoring technologies

  • Team qualifications and capabilities

  • Feasibility and clarity of project plan

  • Communication and dissemination strategy

  • Budget justification and alignment with WRF requirements

Tips for Applicants

  • Ensure cost-share contribution of at least 33% is documented

  • Highlight novel applications of AI and machine learning

  • Engage with utilities to ensure practical relevance

  • Include detailed plans for data collection, modeling, and dissemination

  • Provide clear case studies and real-world application examples

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply for this grant?
Universities, research organizations, government agencies, consultants, and for-profit entities, both U.S.-based and international.

2. What technologies are eligible for evaluation?
Distributed fiber optic sensing, distributed acoustic sensing, in situ strain measurements, and AI-driven monitoring approaches.

3. How much funding is available?
Up to $250,000 per project, with a required 33% cost-share contribution.

4. What is the project duration?
Projects may last between 12 and 24 months.

5. Can delayed WRF project investigators apply?
No, researchers behind schedule on ongoing WRF projects without approved no-cost extensions are ineligible.

6. What outputs are required?
Research reports, guidance manuals, case studies, workshops/webinars, technology demonstrations, and predictive models.

7. How are proposals evaluated?
Evaluation considers technical merit, innovation, team qualifications, feasibility, dissemination strategy, and budget alignment.

Conclusion

The WRF Asset Health Monitoring Grant offers a unique opportunity to advance real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and structural integrity assessment for large-diameter and transmission pipelines. By integrating emerging technologies and AI, this program supports proactive management of critical water infrastructure, ensuring system reliability, safety, and sustainability. Applications are due by November 20, 2025.

For more information, visit Water Research Foundation.