(PAST) National Competitive Grants RFP Informational Webinar

by Funding Opportunities

The National Institutes of Water Resources (NIWR) has released their annual request for proposals (RFPs) under their National Competitive Grants Program. In cooperation with USGS, these RFPs, submitted through each state’s Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI), have historically funded only four applicants throughout the nation. In the last few years, however, Congress has recognized the unique capabilities of this program and additional funds have been allocated around specific focus areas. In addition to a general water-related focus of the annual RFP(104G), an RFP focusing on PFAs and an RFP focusing on Aquatic Invasive Species in the Upper Mississippi River Basin have been added. All three RFPs require similar preparation and encourage regional WRRI/Water Science Center collaborations. Any investigator at an institution of higher learning is eligible to apply for these grants with research that focuses on water issues of regional and national importance.

Given the potential benefit of these opportunities to the Great Lakes Region, the WRRIs in this region (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI) are organizing a joint informational webinar focusing on RFP preparation and regional collaborative opportunities. We discuss the full proposal process, funding priorities and give researchers a chance to ask questions.

Feel free to share this message with others who may benefit from these opportunities!

Webinar recording link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5p80TrsFN0

For more information about the funding opportunities see our Funding Opportunities page, https://water.usgs.gov/wrri/how-to-apply-for-grants-internships.php or contact the Illinois Water Resources Center (iwrc@illinois.edu).

Iowa Water Center Co-Leads Harmful Algal Bloom Research And Education Partnership

by News

February 22, 2022 – Ames, IA – The Iowa Water Center recently received a second round of funding from the North Central Region Water Network to co-lead the delivery of research-based harmful algal bloom information to Extension professionals across the Midwest. The Algal Bloom Action Team, a collective of Water Resource Research Institutes and Extension representatives throughout the Corn Belt region, will receive $10,000 to fund outreach and engagement activities.

“We have identified gaps between scientific discovery related to harmful algal blooms and actionable information Extension Professionals can provide to individuals and businesses at a local scale,” said Hanna Bates, Assistant Director of the Iowa Water Center, and co-Lead of the Algal Bloom Action Team. “This group seeks to address this gap.”

Lake managers, livestock producers, and even household pet owners must be aware of harmful algal blooms in natural environments. The Algal Bloom Action Team identifies science-based information and disseminates the data through a range of communication formats. Products from the Algal Bloom Action Team include webinars, fact sheets, and an annual symposium with program tracks centered around different industries confronted by harmful algal blooms. Many of the products consist of standardized messaging, which can be easily incorporated into curricula or outreach provided at no cost by the team.

“We seek to address the fact that harmful algal blooms are not just a Great Lakes issue, but a water resource problem faced by any state with major lake and river systems,” said Amy Weckle, Assistant Director of the Illinois Water Resources Center, and co-Lead of the Algal Bloom Action Team. “Harmful algal blooms pose a significant threat to public health in terms of water utilities and water recreation.”

The Algal Bloom Action Team formed in 2018 with support from the North Central Region Network. Further information and access to fact sheets, FAQs, and presentation recordings can be found here: https://northcentralwater.org/habs/

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The Iowa Water Center: The Iowa Water Center is a federally funded organization, part of the National Institutes for Water Resources. Located on the Iowa State University campus, it is one of 54 institutes located throughout the United States and U.S territories. The purpose of the Iowa Water Center is to identify water-related research needs, provide outreach and education opportunities, and disseminate information about Iowa’s water resources to the public to form better policies and everyday practices.

Information contact: Hanna Bates, Iowa Water Center, hbates@iastate.edu

(PAST) Webinar: Getting to the Heart of Science Communication with Dr. Faith Kearns

by Events


California Institute for Water Resources
University of California , Division of Agriculture and Natural Resource
WEBINAR — Free and open to the public.


Wednesday, February 23, 2022, 12 pm C.T.
Join by:
• Clicking WEBINAR LINK
• Contacting egroninger@siu.edu for link in email

Many science communication practitioners find themselves working on issues that are emotional,
contentious, and sometimes traumatic. The traditional science communication tools of perfecting a
presentation, message, or frame fall short in the face of these kinds of challenges. This talk will
focus on a different way of approaching science communication with tools that including relating,
listening, working with conflict, and understanding trauma, all with an eye toward justice and
community care

Kearns is a scientist and science communication practitioner with over 25 years experience working
on water, wildfire, and climate change in Washington D.C. and the western U.S. Her work has been
published in New Republic, On Being, Bay Nature, and more. Her book, Getting to the Heart of
Science: A Guide to Effective Engagement (Island Press, 2021) is available anywhere books are sold.

“Dr. Kearns has given us much-needed tools for sharing science with empathy,
engagement, and the full humanity that our audiences deserve. A brave and
brilliant guide to the shifting terrain of science communication.”
Cynthia Barnett, University of Florida Environmental Journalist in Residence and
author of Mirage, Blue Revolution: Unmaking America’s Water Crisis, and The
Sound of the Sea. Read more about Kearns and her book here.

Funding opportunity for Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Graduate Student and Faculty Scholars

by Funding Opportunities

IISG Mission

One of Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant’s (IISG) long-term goals is to help build a community of researchers and outreach professionals focused on critically important Lake Michigan issues. The IISG Scholars programs are designed to help build this community by introducing researchers to the issues and the stakeholders affected by them. In addition, the programs are intended to help graduate student scholars further the impact of their research, and faculty scholars develop innovative, fundable proposals for future work in the region. Past scholar projects can be reviewed at https://iiseagrant.org/category/iisg-scholars/.

The 2022 IISG Scholars competition is now open for Graduate Students and Faculty.

Awards are issued for one year and activities should be completed during that year. IISG expects to support 5–7 Graduate Student Scholars and 3–4 Faculty Scholars in 2022. The full Request for Applications, including award amounts and application requirements, can be found at https://iiseagrant.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2022-IISG-Scholars-RFA.pdf.

Applicants for both opportunities (graduate students or faculty) should submit materials via https://esg.iiseagrant.org/ by 5:00 p.m. Central time on March 18, 2022. Applications should be submitted to the “IL-IN SG 2022 Scholars Competition”. Late applications will not be accepted unless the applicant has contacted IISG staff before the deadline to make them aware of potential issues, (e.g., computer, power, or internet issues).

Office hours, where potential applicants can ask questions about the technical aspects of their applications, will be held Tuesdays 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Fridays from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., both Eastern time, throughout the month of February. Connection information can be requested by emailing Research Coordinator Carolyn Foley at cfoley@purdue.edu. In addition, recordings outlining the technical aspects of applications, e.g., budget and forms preparation, will be posted to https://iiseagrant.org/research/funding-opportunities/ by February 16, 2022.

Algal Bloom Action Team Webinar Series

by Algal Bloom Action Team

The Algal Bloom Action Team is hosting a webinar series as a follow-up to January’s virtual symposium highlighting the latest HAB research. Webinar’s will be held bimonthly with the first webinar taking place in early March. Presentations will last approximately 25 minutes with time for discussion at the conclusion of the session. This event is hosted by the North Central Region Water Network and recordings can be found by visiting their YouTube channel.