Bureau of Reclamation: Desalination and Water Purification Research Grant

Foreign entities, other than United States-Mexico binational research foundations and inter-university research programs established by the two countries, are not eligible for funding under the authorizing legislation for this program.

Applications are being accepted for projects to be funded by the Desalination and Water Purification Research and Development Program (DWPR). Through this program, Reclamation is forming partnerships with private industry, universities, water utilities, and others to address a broad range of desalting and water purification needs. The research program follows the recommendations of the National Research Council’s publication Desalination: A National Perspective, April 2008.

Reclamation is particularly interested in research where the benefits are widespread but where no private-sector entities are willing to make the investment and assume the risks. Reclamation is also interested in research that would have a national significance—where the issues are of large-scale concern and the benefits accrue to a large sector of the public.

Applications will be accepted for DWPR projects in the following 3 categories: (1) Research and Laboratory Studies are typically bench scale studies that usually involve small flow rates less than 2 gallons per minute (gpm). They are used to determine whether a process works well and they sometimes involve high degrees of uncertainty. Successful studies or projects may receive a limited amount of follow-on funding for additional work. Cost Share of up to $150,000 per agreement. (2) Pilot Scale Projects should be preceded by research studies funded by Reclamation or others that demonstrate the technology works. They usually involve flow rates between 1 and 20 gpm on natural water sources. They are used to determine the physical and economic suitability of a process. Project objectives include development of capital costs and operation and maintenance costs. Two-year agreements with cost share of up to $200,000 per year. (3) Demonstration Scale Projects should be preceded by pilot scale studies funded by Reclamation or others that demonstrate that the process is physically and economically viable. Demonstration scale projects typically involve larger flows from 20 to 500 gpm on natural water sources located at a realistic field setting. They are used to refine cost estimates and demonstrate the technology to the public. Capital costs and operation and maintenance costs are developed in detail. Results should show the marketability of the demonstration unit or the required upgrades to become a commercially viable product. Three-year agreements with cost share of up to $500,000 per year. Cost sharing is not required for institutions of higher education, including United States-Mexico binational research foundations and inter-university research programs.

Other applicants must provide cost share of 75% of the cost of their project. This may be reduced to 50% if it is determined that the project is not feasible without such increased Federal funding.