Funding: New Innovative Grant Projects or Ongoing/Renewal of Programs (Programmatic funding) focusing on Student Learning Opportunities, Academic Program Development, Collaborative Research and Career Pathways
RFP Release: February 3, 2025
Proposal Submission Deadline: April 1, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
Notifications: No later than June 30, 2025.
Funding Distribution Begins: July 1, 2025.
Introduction
The Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin is a statewide initiative of the 13 Universities of Wisconsin. We are a collaborative network that leverages the strengths of each university to address water challenges and train Wisconsin’s future water workforce. The Wisconsin State Legislature has awarded the Freshwater Collaborative $5 million per biennial budget to support freshwater initiatives at the Universities of Wisconsin. These initiatives must align with the Freshwater Collaborative’s goals and legislative priorities.
The Freshwater Collaborative has a total of $2 million available per year ($4 million per biennium) to support this round of proposals, contingent on continuing available legislative funds. Funds will be distributed internally using Fund 113.
This RFP will consider two types of funding: Innovative Grant Funding and Programmatic Funding.
Innovative Grant Funding will be awarded for 1-2 years. Qualifying grants include collaborative research projects that involve undergraduate and/or K-12 students, and pilot funds to test innovative new programs.
Programmatic Funding will provide longer-term funding (up to six years; funds roll over each biennium) to support programs that have previously received funds from the Freshwater Collaborative. The goal is to provide stability and growth of programs that have shown demonstrable outcomes and growth. This may include but is not limited to collaborative courses, K-12 outreach and recruitment programs, undergraduate research programs, etc. Submissions for Programmatic Funding must be pre-approved by the Freshwater Collaborative based on conversations with the Steering Committee members and administrators at your university. Only those programs identified as part of the Collaborative’s and your university’s strategic efforts around freshwater programs will be considered. If you feel your program qualifies, reach out to your Steering Committee member and/or the Freshwater Collaborative Executive Director before submitting.
While all proposals will be considered, preference will be given to collaborative, multicampus projects that engage undergraduate students in hands-on courses, research, field and lab experiences, and internships that address Wisconsin’s Grand Water Challenges. Preference also will be given to projects that expand student enrollment at the Universities of Wisconsin.
All materials for RFP #4 must be submitted electronically by April 1, 2025, using the submission button at the bottom of this page.
For proposals that involve multiple universities, the lead PI is responsible for coordinating and submitting ONE joint proposal on behalf of all project partners, with secondary PIs listed for all other universities involved. The lead PI will serve as the primary contact for the Freshwater Collaborative for questions and reporting/evaluation. Secondary PIs will be responsible for managing funds allocated to their respective campuses. Each of the collaborating institution’s contributions/involvement must be clearly described in the Project Narrative.
Proposals must be submitted following your institution’s policy for proposal submissions. In the case of comprehensive universities, this means working with your institution’s Office of Sponsored Programs.
Review the Full State Legislative Funding Request for Proposals #4 Before Submitting Your Proposal
- Download a copy of RFP#4
- Preview the questions you will be asked.
- Download and complete the following documents prior to beginning your online application:
- Budget (one spreadsheet per project with tabs for each institution)
- Campus Endorsement Page (one per institution)
Refer to RFP FAQs. Please direct additional questions to rfp-questions@uwm.edu.
The proposal must include the following items for each proposed project:
- Project Narrative (online form below): Describes how the proposal supports your university’s long-term vision of engagement in the Freshwater Collaborative and statewide collaborations in water. Should describe how this proposal connects to other currently funded and/or proposed Freshwater Collaborative-funded projects at your institution or across the state. You will be asked to provide project goals, timeline, and impact information. Innovative Grant Funding timeline can be up to two years. Programmatic Funding timeline can be up to six years.
- Budget: A budget for each institution must be included with the joint proposal submitted by the lead PI (e.g., if three universities are participating in the program or course, the single joint proposal must include three separate budgets). You will upload budgets to your online submission form.
- Endorsement Page: Obtain the signatures of the PI and collaborators, applicant’s supervisor or department chair, steering committee members, and provosts and/or authorized officials. To ensure accurate financial and academic methods proposed are feasible, we ask that your sponsored programs/financial/academic representative who would support/oversee the administrative management of this project review and sign your proposal.
- Endorsement Page for UW-Madison: Applicant must use the WISPER electronic routing application to secure department and dean/director/division-level authorizations. Division- authorized WISPER records should be routed to WISPER user BOYCE, MELISSA ANN in department 349600. Please set the “submission method” field in the WISPER record to “internal routing only.” The record does not need to be routed through the Research and Sponsored Programs office.
- Endorsement Page for UW-Milwaukee: Applicants do not need to complete a WISPER record. Work to secure appropriate department and dean/director/division-level authorizations.
- Other supporting documents such as letters of support, brochures, or program information. These are optional but may strengthen the proposal submission.