Professional Resources

Sustainable water management strategies demand collaboration among researchers, stakeholders and governing bodies. Ohio WRC supports water related research relevant to the State of Ohio. Furthermore we connect researchers from multiple Ohio Universities with federal and state agency representatives, water management professionals, non-governmental organizations and the public.

Funding via Ohio WRC & NIWR


104(b) - The Ohio Water Resources Center (WRC) is seeking research pre-proposals to address current water resources issues in the State of Ohio (The RFP can be downloaded here). This annual competition for in-state researchers is made possible through the Water Resources Research Institute 104(b) Program. The aim of these grants is to stimulate water-related research relevant to Ohio to the point where a highly competitive external proposal can be developed.

The Ohio WRC will accept any pre-proposal related to Ohio water resources issues, but expects to give priority to proposals that address algal blooms & nutrients, water technology, impacts of climate change on water resources, and emerging issues. Projects that also incorporate concepts of water equity, such as identifying causes and impacts of water-related disparities, developing or evaluating tools or strategies to improve water quality, or providing scientific information to benefit underserved communities are also sought. For a list of recently funded proposals visit our website: https://wrc.osu.edu/past.  

Researchers involved in funded projects with an equity focus will be invited to join a Great Lakes Water Equity Research working group coordinated by the Water Resources Research Institutes in the Great Lakes region. The working group will organize member-driven activities that may include, but are not limited to: grant development workshops, conference special sessions, mini-conferences, special issue journal proposals, and coordinated communications to amplify research impacts. Funding of up to $1000 for these activities will be provided directly by the Ohio WRC and should not be included in the project budget.

The application deadline for Ohio pre-proposals is 4:00 PM, Friday, August 13, 2021. Pre-proposal decisions and an invitation to submit a full proposal will be announced the week of September 13, 2021. Full proposals will be due October 22, 2021 by 4:00 PM and funding decisions will be made by January 21, 2022. Funding is anticipated to begin on March 1, 2022.

104(g) - USGS in cooperation with the NIWR request proposals for matching grants to support research on the topic of improving and enhancing the nation’s water supply. The goals of the National Competitive Grants program are to promote collaboration between the USGS and university scientists in research on significant national and regional water resources issues; promote the dissemination and results of the research funded under this program; and to assist in the training of scientists in water resources. THE OHIO DEADLINE for submission is June 10th, 2021 at 4 pm. Submit at ohiowrc@osu.edu.

OSU Water Energy Nexus Funding - Ohio Water Resources Center together with the Office of Energy and Environment at OSU is requesting proposals from Ohio State University investigators with PI status to address current water energy nexus issues. (CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE)

Time Critical Research proposals - Click here for more detailed instructions.

IWR - National grant competition for up to $200,000, with an emphasis on applied investigative proposals for specific areas related to water resources issues in the United States. (CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE)

Data and Analysis

Heidelberg NCWQR Tributary Data - long term data from the Lake Erie watershed

Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS) Data Portal provides access to near-realtime and archived observations and to model forecasts for the Great Lakes.

NOAA - National Weather Service Ohio data

Ohio Beach Guard - data from Ohio's 134 public beaches

Ohio EPA certified labs for water analysis

ORSANCO - Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Comission, monitoring data from Ohio River

Water Quality Portal - a cooperative service sponsored by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Water Quality Monitoring Council (NWQMC) that integrates publicly available water quality data

Ohio Professional Organizations and Agencies

American Water Works Association - Ohio Section - Established in 1881, the American Water Works Association is the largest nonprofit, scientific and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water, the world’s most important resource.

Environmental Education Council of Ohio (EECO) - leads in facilitating environmental education that fosters global stewardship and a sustainable future for all Ohioans.

Environmental Professionals Network at OSU - Ohio is home to thousands of environmental professionals working every day to make the world a better place. Join our community today!

Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Soil and Water Division - Provide leadership and services that enable Ohioans to conserve, protect, and enhance soil, water, and land resources.

Ohio Water Development Authority - Provides financial assistance for environmental infrastructure from the sale of municipal revenue bonds through loans to local governments in Ohio and from issuance of industrial revenue bonds for qualified projects in Ohio.

Ohio Water Environment Association - The Ohio Water Environment Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) association that provides technical education and training for Ohio water quality professionals who clean water and return it safely to the environment.

Ohio Water Well Association - The Ohio Water Well Association is a trade association of people like you who have increased their ability to successfully meet business challenges by joining together.

Operator Training Commitee of Ohio (OTCO) - OTCO’s philosophy has always been to make broad comprehensive training available in order to produce well-informed, technically qualified water and wastewater personnel who are firmly grounded in the fundamentals--not just to train individuals for passing examinations.

Water Management Association of Ohio - The Water Management Association of Ohio promotes the comprehensive understanding, conservation and multifaceted use of Ohio's water resources.