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Find similar grantsUnsolicited Research Program is sponsored by Water Research Foundation (WRF). The Unsolicited Research Program funds innovative, transformative research projects that can significantly advance scientific knowledge and create practical water quality solutions.
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Search Column Programs Research Priority Unsolicited Research Tailored Collaboration Emerging Opportunities Facilitated Research Grants Awarded Column Projects Ongoing Projects Completed Projects All Projects Resources Case Studies Innovation Resources Technology Deliverables ColumnAdvanced Treatment Asset Management Biosolids Climate Change Constituents of Emerging Concern (CECs) Cyanobacteria & Cyanotoxins ColumnDisinfection Byproducts (DBPs) Energy Optimization Integrated Planning & Water Management Intelligent Water Systems Lead & Copper Microbes & Pathogens ColumnNutrients PFAS Resource Recovery Reuse Stormwater Utility Management Water Use & Efficiency Column Apply Available Grants Column Guidance Guidelines and Forms Column Upcoming Event#### Understanding the Mechanisms of Chlorine and Chloramine Impact on Opportunistic Pathogens in Distribution Systems Webcast Upcoming: Aug 27, 2026 Register for Webcast ColumnWebcasts Conferences & Events The SSO service is currently unavailable.
Please try again in a few minutes. # Unsolicited Research Program **View our recent webcast on our Unsolicited Research Program****here****. ** The Unsolicited Research Program funds novel, transformative research projects that can significantly advance the science of water and increase our ability to protect and preserve water in a sustainable and cost-effective manner.
WRF also considers proposals that would take existing research to the next level of completion, resulting in practical solutions to water quality challenges. WRF’s Board-appointed Research Advisory Council prioritizes and approves projects for funding. Ten percent of the WRF annual research budget is allocated to this program.
This funding allocation will flow through each year, and the program launches every other year on even years (e.g., 2026) with the collective allocation. [](https://www. waterrf.
org/unsolicited-research-program) Projects funded under the Unsolicited Research Program are selected through a two-stage competitive process: **Stage 1:** WRF issues a call for pre-proposals. Submitted pre-proposals are evaluated by WRF's Research Advisory Council (RAC). A short list of proposers will be invited to submit full proposals for review and consideration.
**Stage 2:** Applicants whose pre-proposals were short listed in Stage 1 submit full proposals to compete for funding. The full proposals are evaluated and approved by the RAC. The total budget available for all projects funded under the Unsolicited Research Program in 2026 is $1,893,095.
Funding ranges from $50,000–$200,000 for individual projects. [](https://www. waterrf.
org/unsolicited-research-program) * Complement the Research Priority Program * Address issues of regional and national significance * Involve the piloting of novel technologies * Address research on drinking water, wastewater, recycled water, and stormwater. [](https://www. waterrf.
org/unsolicited-research-program) Pre-Proposals will be selected based on: * Technical and Scientific Merit * Significance and Value of Research * Project Schedule and Team Qualifications Note that the selection criteria for the full proposals may be different and will be provided to all shortlisted pre-proposers at the time of pre-proposal selection notification. [](https://www. waterrf.
org/unsolicited-research-program) [](https://www. waterrf. org/unsolicited-research-program) ### Pre-proposal Guidelines Visit WRF's Proposal Guidelines page to access supporting documentation for the Unsolicited Research Program, including the Instructions for Submission of Pre-proposals and the Program Cover Sheet.
View the Pre-proposal Guidelines [](https://www. waterrf. org/unsolicited-research-program) ### Pre-proposal Submission Pre-proposals should be submitted via an online form using the link provided in the “Instructions for Submission of Pre-proposals”.
View the Pre-proposal Guidelines [](https://www. waterrf. org/unsolicited-research-program) After pre-proposals are evaluated, a short list of finalists will be invited to submit full proposals to compete for funding.
View Previously Funded Projects [](https://www. waterrf. org/unsolicited-research-program) [](https://www.
waterrf. org/unsolicited-research-program) [](https://www. waterrf.
org/unsolicited-research-program) #### Pre-proposals Received #### Top Pre-proposals Topics CECs (e.g., PFAS), Advanced Treatment/Water Reuse, Drinking Water Quality (e.g., pathogens), Wastewater Treatment, Desalination, Biosolids, Cyanobacteria, Intelligent Water Systems, Resource Recovery, Stormwater/Green Infrastructure * Optimizing BAC Performance for Chemical Peaking in Potable Reuse (5322) * Pilot-Scale Adsorption of PFAS in RO Concentrate from Potable Reuse Systems (5323) * A New Rulebook for Effluent Organic Matter (EfOM): Redefining Optical Surrogates for Carbon-based Advanced Treatment (CBAT) in Potable Water Reuse (5324) * Headworks Reservoir Complex Direct Potable Reuse Pilot (5325) * Treatment Mitigation of the Chemical Peaking of Low Molecular Weight Organic Contaminants in Potable Reuse (5326) * Utility Business Models for Managing Water Demand Reduction (5327) * Hydrothermal Alkaline Treatment of PFAS-Contaminated Sludge (5328) * Evaluation and Management of PFAS-Enriched Solids Dewatering Streams (5329) * Development of a Novel Low-Cost Boron Doped Diamond Microfluidic Cell for Rapid Online PFAS Destruction, Detection and Quantification in Water (5330) * Nanobubbles for Mitigating Membrane Fouling: A Novel Approach to Anti-fouling and De-fouling (5331) * Developing Aromatic DBPs as Improved Metrics for DBP Exposure (5332) #### Pre-proposals Received #### Top Pre-proposal Topics Advanced Treatment/Water Reuse, CECs (e.g., PFAS), Drinking Water Quality (e.g., pathogens), Biosolids, Intelligent Water Systems, Resource Recovery * Give Membranes the Virus Removal Credit They Deserve, Using Rapid In-Field Molecular-Based Methods (5209) * Real-Time Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds in RO-Based Potable Reuse (5210) * Understanding the Value Proposition for Thermal Processes to Mitigate PFAS in Biosolids (5211) * Enhanced Aeration and Scum Recovery for Physical Removal of PFAS from Wastewater (5212) * Inactivation of Biofilm-bound Opportunistic Pathogens in Premise Plumbing Using UVC LEDs (5213) * Direct In Situ Measurement of PFAS Transformation & Leaching from Land-Applied Biosolids (5214) #### Pre-proposals Received #### Top Pre-proposals Topics PFAS, Drinking Water Treatment, Wastewater Treatment, Water Quality, Harmful Algal Blooms, Advanced Water Treatment, Nutrients * Rapid Detection and Quantitation of Active Microorganisms (5100) * Real-Time Carbon Management of Water Resource Recovery Facilities Using In-Situ Bio-electrochemical Sensors (5101) * Application of Novel Method to Estimate Total PFAS Content in Water (5102) * Microwave Regeneration of PFAS-Exhausted Granular Activated Carbons (5103) * Use of DNA Nanostructures as Viral Surrogates in Potable Reuse Applications (5104) [](https://www.
waterrf.
org/unsolicited-research-program) #### Pre-proposals Received #### Top Pre-proposals Topics Water Treatment Processes (Treatment Intensification), Microbes & Pathogens, Constituents of Emerging Concern, Reuse, Stormwater * Partial Denitrification Anammox as Alternative Pathway to Achieve Mainstream Short-Cut Nitrogen Removal (5027) * Environmental Persistence and Disinfection of Lassa Virus and SARS-CoV-2 to Protect Worker and Public Safety (5029) [](https://www.
waterrf. org/unsolicited-research-program) ### Questions about the Unsolicited Research Program Please contact Jeff Moeller, PE, Director of Research Services and Harry Zhang, PhD, PE, Research Principal, with questions about the Unsolicited Research Program. [](https://www.
waterrf. org/unsolicited-research-program) ### Questions about the Proposal Submittal Process Please contact our Senior Administrative Assistant, Caroline Bruck, with questions about proposal submittal using the online form. She can be reached by phone at 303.
347. 6118. The Water Research Foundation 1199 N.
Fairfax St. , Ste. 900 * Privacy/Security Notices * Non-Discrimination Policies To search for an exact phrase, use quotes around the full phrase.
Search Column Programs Research Priority Unsolicited Research Tailored Collaboration Emerging Opportunities Facilitated Research Grants Awarded Column Projects Ongoing Projects Completed Projects All Projects Resources Case Studies Innovation Resources Technology Deliverables ColumnAdvanced Treatment Asset Management Biosolids Climate Change Constituents of Emerging Concern (CECs) Cyanobacteria & Cyanotoxins ColumnDisinfection Byproducts (DBPs) Energy Optimization Integrated Planning & Water Management Intelligent Water Systems Lead & Copper Microbes & Pathogens ColumnNutrients PFAS Resource Recovery Reuse Stormwater Utility Management Water Use & Efficiency Column Apply Available Grants Column Guidance Guidelines and Forms Column Upcoming Event#### Understanding the Mechanisms of Chlorine and Chloramine Impact on Opportunistic Pathogens in Distribution Systems Webcast Upcoming: Aug 27, 2026 Register for Webcast ColumnWebcasts Conferences & Events ColumnIntelligent Water Systems Challenge SEE IT * The Water Research Foundation
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Organizations are eligible to submit pre-proposals. Individuals can be part of research teams applying through eligible organizations. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows $25,000 - $175,000 per project. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
Unsolicited Research Program is funded by Water Research Foundation (WRF). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
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