The concept is pretty simple: it's a competition for K-State faculty that leads to research funding. To date, about 50 faculty members from every K-State campus and 8 colleges have participated in these interactive and competitive two-day events where interdisciplinary teams brainstorm innovative water-related research projects, plan a complete proposal, and pitch their ideas to a judging panel. Winning teams receive seed funding for their concepts.
This event has become one of KWI's signature approaches to building water research collaborations at K-State because it is designed to help researchers from any university department identify shared interests and develop solutions to real-world problems.
Winning Research
Our expert judging panel selected two teams to receive seed funding.
This team plans to map groundwater contaminants like microplastics and nitrates across the state. The goal is to make that information publicly and easily accessible for Kansans, creating a foundation for new technologies that can improve water quality and protect public health.
This team is focused on improving water efficiency and reuse in agricultural and food production systems. They are exploring how insect farming and agricultural byproducts can be used to create fertilizers, water-treatment materials, and other products that support a more circular agricultural economy.
Strangers become colleagues during CoSearch, where interdisciplinary research is the name of the game.
Time is of the essence during CoSearch, when research plans must come together quickly.
Expert judges from a variety of disciplines choose the winners.
Winning teams receive seed funding to make their ideas reality.