New Funding Opportunity Opens for PFAS Research 

The Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI) and the Urban Water Consortium (UWC) are requesting proposals for applied research to strengthen the UWC’s response to and treatment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water and wastewater in North Carolina. 

“Drinking water and wastewater utilities are on the front lines of addressing PFAS contamination for the benefit of public health and environmental protection,” says Kaitlin Tucker, WRRI’s coordinator for research and engagement. “This funding opportunity supports research that can improve utility operations and analytical methods in a cost-effective manner.”

Projects will begin January 1, 2025 and cover 1 or 2 years, with a $60,000 annual limit on funding.

Proposals should address PFAS testing methodologies, treatment, and/or education. The full Request for Proposals outlines specific funding areas of emphasis within these categories. 

Faculty based anywhere are eligible to apply, but the principal investigator must be based in North Carolina. Tucker strongly encourages applications from faculty at HBCUs and MSIs and/or from under-resourced or underrepresented communities.

Applicants should submit pre-proposals through the NCEWRRI portal by June 28th. WRRI staff, UWC members, and other experts will review pre-proposals and invite the most competitive projects to submit their full proposals.

The full Request for Proposals includes all information about the application process. 

Please email any additional questions to: Kaitlin Tucker, WRRI’s coordinator for research and engagement, ktucker@ncsu.edu, or John Fear, deputy director, at jmfear@ncsu.edu.

lead photo credit: Francesco Scatena/AdobeStock.