Tailored Collaboration Program
Forecasted
Tailored Collaboration Program supports utilities’ research on specialized or regional water challenges, funding work in water systems and utility management with broader value for the water industry.
Funder: The Water Research Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027 (Pre-proposal deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $150,000 in WRF funds through a 1:1 cash match
Summary: Supports utility-sponsored research on specialized or regional water challenges with broader applicability across the water industry.
Key Information: Each proposal must be sponsored by a utility with a paid WRF subscription in good standing.
Description
The Water Research Foundation’s Tailored Collaboration Program enables subscribing utilities to partner directly with WRF on research ideas they have developed. Projects address issues of interest to a significant subset of subscribers, including specialized or regional concerns that may fall outside WRF’s other research programs. Research should have potential for broader applicability and a positive impact on the water industry; topics limited to the sponsoring utility’s own needs are unlikely to receive funding.
The program supports drinking water, wastewater, water reuse, and biosolids research, as well as utility management needs. Funded work has addressed PFAS, microplastics, harmful algal blooms, corrosion, disinfection, biofilter performance, artificial intelligence, nutrient recovery, and carbon management. WRF’s Tailored Collaboration Research Council provides strategic oversight and reviews and approves projects through an annual competitive process.
