Deadline: 21-Nov-23
The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is requesting proposals for maximizing the value of natural assets and green infrastructure at the watershed scale project.
The research team will conduct one webcast hosted by WRF and collaborating organizations on the overall findings of this project. The research team is encouraged to submit one open access peer-reviewed journal paper after the completion of the project. In addition, the research team should consider additional outreach activities, such as presenting project findings at conferences.
Project Objectives
- Outline the benefits of natural asset management system and solutions for utilities and water resource managers.
- Incorporate assessment metrics into natural assets, which will provide a more complete accounting framework that can be scaled up to watershed and community levels, including initial capital investment and long‐term impacts.
- Enhance accounting and monetization framework for natural assets and green infrastructure so that an effective approach to natural asset management has the confidence of utilities, government, funders, and financial/economic managers and regulators.
- Expand from existing case studies illustrating where and how natural asset management systems have been implemented in the water sector, outlining the challenges faced, solutions found, and benefits realized.
Budget
- Applicants may request up to $200,000 in WRF funds for this project.
- Project Duration: The anticipated period of performance for this project is 24 months from the contract start date. The submission of open access peer-reviewed journal paper can go beyond the project end date
Expected Deliverables
- A stand-alone comprehensive literature synthesis document, including annotations for the list of publications and resources used
- A user-friendly utility-facing guidance document that includes an enhanced accounting and monetization framework for natural assets and green infrastructure at the watershed scale with utility case studies across different geographic regions
- In addition, this document will include a chapter and supporting technical appendix that summarizes the knowledge gaps, research needs, and preliminary project concepts for recommended future research projects, including recommended means to address those remaining gaps
- A utility‐facing invitation-only virtual workshop for peer‐to‐peer information exchange and identification of future research needs, along with workshop planning and all supporting materials (e.g., agenda, presentations, meeting notes, and workshop summary)
- Broader outreach:
- Conduct webcasts and deliver public outreach materials such as conference presentations
- Submit one open access peer-reviewed journal paper and additional outreach products as applicable
Eligibility Criteria
- Proposals will be accepted from both U.S.-based and non-U.S.-based entities, including educational institutions, research organizations, governmental agencies, and consultants or other for-profit entities.
- Researchers who are late on any ongoing WRF-sponsored studies without approved no-cost extensions are not eligible to be named participants in any proposals.
- WRF encourages participation from water utilities and other organizations in WRF research. Participation can occur in a variety of ways, including direct participation, in-kind contributions, or in-kind services.
For more information, visit WRF.