Call for EOIs: Framework for Assessing Alternative Water Systems – Economic, Environmental, and Social Aspects

Deadline: 20-Nov-2025

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is offering up to $300,000 for a 24-month project to develop a standardized framework for assessing the economic, environmental, and social impacts of alternative water systems, including wastewater reuse, desalination, and stormwater management. The initiative aims to provide utilities, industries, and communities with decision-support tools to evaluate trade-offs and optimize sustainable water management solutions.

Overview of the Funding Opportunity

The WRF invites proposals from universities, research institutions, government agencies, consultants, and for-profit entities worldwide to develop a comprehensive evaluation framework for alternative water systems. The project excludes niche sources such as atmospheric water capture and floodwater harvesting, focusing on municipal wastewater reuse (potable and non-potable), desalination, and stormwater management.

Project Objectives

• Develop a standardized framework to evaluate economic, environmental, and social costs and benefits of alternative water systems.

• Assess various financing models to determine feasibility, cost structures, and long-term sustainability.

• Identify and quantify non-monetized benefits, including:

  • Public health improvements

  • Enhanced ecosystem services

  • Community well-being

  • Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) outcomes

• Incorporate community acceptance, education, and risk tolerance to understand adoption barriers.

• Enable comparative analyses across sectors (municipal vs. industrial) and system types (centralized vs. decentralized).

• Provide transparent, evidence-based decision-making tools for stakeholders.

Who is Eligible?

• U.S. and international universities

• Research organizations and think tanks

• Government agencies and municipal authorities

• Environmental and water consultants

• For-profit companies with relevant expertise in water systems

Project Duration and Funding

• Duration: 24 months

• Funding: Up to $300,000

Research Approach

• Conduct a comprehensive literature review and gap analysis on alternative water systems.

• Evaluate financing mechanisms, market dynamics, and cost-benefit trade-offs.

• Quantify both monetized and non-monetized benefits to capture holistic impacts.

• Develop a user-friendly decision-support framework, including:

  • Web-based tools for utilities and industries

  • Fact sheets for community stakeholders

  • Transparent assumptions and methodologies for replicability

Key Deliverables

• Standardized framework for evaluating alternative water systems

• Comparative analysis of centralized vs. decentralized systems and sector-specific trade-offs

• Practical outputs such as interactive tools, fact sheets, and policy guidance

• Insights into community acceptance, risk perception, and decision-making barriers

How to Apply

1. Prepare Proposal: Clearly outline objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and relevance to sustainable water management.

2. Demonstrate Eligibility: Include legal registration, organizational qualifications, and prior experience in water-related research or projects.

3. Submit Budget Plan: Provide detailed funding requirements and cost allocation.

4. Follow Submission Guidelines: Ensure completeness, clarity, and compliance with WRF application instructions.

5. Selection Process: Proposals will be evaluated based on innovation, feasibility, impact, and applicability of the decision-support framework.

Tips for a Successful Proposal

• Emphasize the practical utility of the framework for real-world water systems.

• Highlight integration of both economic and non-economic benefits.

• Demonstrate understanding of community needs, risk tolerance, and adoption barriers.

• Include a clear plan for transparency and replicability of methods.

• Showcase interdisciplinary expertise, covering engineering, economics, environmental science, and social sciences.

FAQ

1. What types of water systems are eligible? Municipal wastewater reuse, desalination, and stormwater management. Niche sources like atmospheric water capture or floodwater harvesting are excluded.

2. Who can apply? Universities, research organizations, government agencies, consultants, and for-profit entities globally.

3. What is the maximum funding? Up to $300,000 for a 24-month project.

4. Are community perspectives required? Yes, proposals should consider community acceptance, education, and risk tolerance.

5. What outputs are expected? Decision-support frameworks, web-based tools, fact sheets, and comparative analyses.

6. Is prior experience in water management required? Relevant expertise is highly recommended to strengthen proposals.

7. Can international collaborations apply? Yes, collaborative projects across institutions and countries are encouraged.

Conclusion

This WRF funding opportunity offers a unique platform to develop evidence-based, practical frameworks that guide the evaluation and implementation of alternative water systems. By integrating economic, environmental, and social considerations, the project aims to enable utilities, industries, and communities to make informed, sustainable, and resilient water management decisions.

For more information, visit Water Research Foundation.