News Article: Science Daily article on WRRI project - January 1, 2009

Request for FY 2009 Proposals

WRRI Seed Grant Program is requesting research, training and information transfer proposals related to critical areas of DC surface water, groundwater, and drinking water quality and quantity.

About Us

The Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI) of UDC. WRRI was created in 1973 by the Water Resources Research Act of 1964 (PL 88-379) which established a federal/state partnership in research, information transfer and education regarding water related issues. The Institute is one of a network of 54 Institutes at land-grant universities, partly funded by the US Geological Survey (USGS) through the US Department of Interior, under the National Water Resources Research Institutes Program. Federal grant received must be matched on a 1 to 2 federal to non-federal dollar basis. WRRI at UDC is the only urban based Water Resources Research Institute in the Nation as well as the only one at a Historically Black College/University (HBCU).

The Water Resources Research Institute’s mission is to provide the District of Columbia with interdisciplinary research support to identify DC water resources problems and contribute to their solution.

The Institute coordinates and facilitates water resources related research projects through seed grants provided to faculty members from the consortium of universities in the District. Presently, these universities include UDC, Howard University, George Washington University, The Catholic University, Georgetown University, George Mason University, and American University. The opportunity to train students through development and implementation of practical applications of water science in Biological, Environmental, Urban Development and Engineering Programs is a major accomplishment of the Institute. Through these research projects, students also interact with employers at federal and local agencies essential for future job opportunities. The seed grant program allows faculty members access to new technologies and equipment that develop their expertise in water resource management. Results of each project are reported and disseminated through published studies, technical reports, seminars, newsletters, brochures, and a WRRI website.