KWI Funding

Funding opportunities from the Kansas Water Institute

The Kansas Water Institute is proud to support innovative research faculty from different universities in Kansas. Using funds awarded by USGS from the Water Resources Research Act, KWI supports projects that focus on high-priority water topics identified by the Kansas state water plan.

Water Resources Research Act, Section 104(g)

The U.S. Geological Survey has released a call for proposals for the 104(g) awards. Review the link below and the full proposal package for information on research goals and priorities, match requirements, and other details. Please note that ALL proposals must be submitted through the Kansas Water Institute. To allow time for K-State to finalize the submission, all proposal materials must be submitted to KWI by September 19, 2025.

Full details about this Request for Proposals

If you are interested in preparing a proposal, please notify Susan Metzger.

Kansas Soybean Commission grant

The Kansas Soybean Commission has published a Request for Proposals for FY 2027. These proposals must be submitted to the Kansas Soybean Commission office by Monday, October 6, 2025. The preferred method of submission is by email with the proposal attached as a Microsoft Word or PDF document.

Proposals are limited to 5 pages plus the cover and budget pages. Proposals should focus on and clearly articulate how funded work will enable Kansas soybean farmers to produce more high-quality soybeans for existing and new uses across domestic and global markets.(i.e., how the work positively impacts Kansas soybean farmers and the soybean industry. Investigators with a proposal preliminarily approved by the Kansas Soybean Commission will be asked to make a formal presentation to the Commissioners in person at the Kansas Soybean office in Topeka, Kansas, or by video or audio conference in early December 2025.

More information about the Kansas Soybean Commision RFP

Water Resources Research Act 104(b)

Funding for this round of 104(b) projects has been awarded. If you are interested in learning when the next WRRA RFP will take place, contact us.

The Kansas Water Institute (KWI) accepts proposals for research grants under the Water Resources Research Act, Section 104(b). Funded by the U.S. Geological Survey, the Section 104(b) major goals are to foster research on water and related issues of importance to the state and region and to encourage the entry of students and early career scientists into the field of water resources.

The funding requests for this RFP are typically capped at $50,000 for a 2-year project and require a 1:1 match. The RFP typically funds four projects.

Equipment Grants

KWI has awarded funds to faculty to advance water-related research, teaching, or engagement. Successful departments/colleges or units provided a minimum 25% match on top of the requested funds.

Equipment Grant Awardees

Emma Briggs, Western Kansas Research and Extension Centers: This funding will support the purchase of a grain flaker at the Agricultural Research Center at Hays. The equipment will enable detailed studies on the nutritional efficacy of steam-flaked milo as feed for cattle and will help explore more sustainable livestock production practices.

Guarav Jha, Agronomy, and Amie Norton, Entomology: Funding was awarded for a new SVC HR-1024i Spectroradiometer, which will enable precise assessment of soil and plant water stress.

Christopher Redmond, Kansas Mesonet: A total of 34 weighing rain gauges from Apogee, to accurately measure precipitation across the state of Kansas. This equipment will influence real-time decision support and potential life-saving data, as well as provide improved climatology datasets and enhanced water conservation.

Matthew Kirk, Geology: Funding for pressure loggers and accessories for groundwater level monitoring at the Konza Prairie. This equipment will contribute to research on the impacts of climate and woody plant encroachment in grasslands.

Prathap Parameswaran, Civil Engineering: A new pre-filtration and microfiltration membrane module will enhance pilot-scale Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (AnMBR) unit. This unit, situated in the K-State swine teaching and research center, will help researchers promote sustainable wastewater reuse.

Ambyr Rios and Ennis Rios, Rural Education Center, College of Education: Water IRL (Inspiring Resource Literacy) Classroom Education Kits will equip 75 Kansas middle schools within the Ogallala Aquifer recharge zone with tools to enhance awareness of Kansas water resources, and to promote aquifer conservation and improved water quality.

Aleksey Sheshukov, Biological and Agricultural Engineering: Support for an equipment package that is part of a rapid-deployment mobile micrometeorological station with eddy-covariance. This technology helps provide an accurate determination of crop water needs and crop water use efficiency in the field.

On the search for water research equipment? While this RFP is closed, we welcome your input and questions. Get in touch with us!

Student Support

The Kansas Water Institute is dedicated to supporting the work of our next generation of water scientists. If you are an undergraduate or graduate student interested in pursuing this field of study, and you have questions about your path forward, get in touch with us!

Water Fellows Program

two student stand in front of a 360RAIN irrigation rig

The KWI Undergraduate Research Fellows Program is a two-semester program that supports K-State Students who are conducting a water-related research project with a K-State faculty member during Fall 2025 and Spring 2026.

The KWI Water Fellows Program is designed to students with their undergraduate research experiences. Participating students qualify for a $1,000 per semester Duane and Terry Townley Family Scholarship. The application deadline has passed for 2025-26. Please inquire with KWI about this or other opportunities to receive student support.

Program Overview

The K-State Kansas Water Institute (KWI) Undergraduate Research Fellows Program (KWI Water Fellows Program) is a two-semester program that supports K-State students who are conducting a water-related research project with a K-State faculty member during Fall 2025 and Spring 2026.

The KWI Water Fellows Program is designed to support students who are early on in their undergraduate research experiences. Participating students qualify for a $1,000 per semester scholarship (Duane and Terry Townley Family Scholarship). Applications for the KWI Water Fellows Program will be accepted in Spring 2025.

ELIGIBILITY

A minimum 2.5 GPA from K-State
Must have a current water-related research project with a K-State faculty
Junior or Senior with an expected graduation date of Spring 2026 or later
No citizenship requirement – International students are welcome to apply

Note: Students who receive a research stipend from a laboratory or group or those who will receive scholarship support during Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 may be ineligible for the additional $1,000 of scholarship money offered by the KWI Water Fellows Program. Students are encouraged to verify the conditions of their employment and/or financial aid when applying for this program.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Maintain full-time student status (enrolled in 12 credit hours minimum) during Fall 2025 and Spring 2026. KWI Water Fellows will conduct their proposed research projects with faculty mentors during these semesters.

Participate in one undergraduate research fellow engagement activity each semester. These engagement experiences are hosted by KWI and offer opportunities to network with other students and faculty, expand research skills, explore internship and other professional development opportunities, and develop communication portfolios around your research.

Present your research to the scientific community

Students can choose from the following:

1) Present your research at an approved KWI event or at the Governor’s Conference on the Future of Water in Kansas (November 2025).

2) Submit a comprehensive research paper at the end of Spring 2026.

Additional requirements

Submit a thank you letter to the donor(s) who supported your scholarship.

Complete the KWI Water Fellows program exit survey in Spring 2026.

SCHOLARSHIP/FUNDING

All students qualify for academic scholarships up to $1,000 per semester (Duane and Terry Townley Family Scholarship). Scholarships are disbursed through K-State Student Financial Services, once at the beginning of each semester.

*Important Financial Aid Implications: If you are receiving financial aid, your package may be adjusted so you do not exceed your financial need or cost of attendance. It is the student’s responsibility to verify with K-State Financial Student Services to ensure you can accept this scholarship. Applicants do not need to qualify for or be receiving financial aid to be eligible for the K-State KWI scholarship.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: MAY 9, 2025

CONTACT

Susan Metzger
Director, Kansas Water Institute
smetzger@ksu.edu