Driven by a rising global population, rapid urbanization, changing diets, and economic growth, demand for food and water resources is increasing around the world. Agriculture is the largest consumer of the world’s freshwater resources, and it is estimated that with a population of 8.3 billion people by 2030, we will need 40% more water and 35% more food. These resources already face mounting threats, including pollution, climate change impacts, the destruction and degradation of freshwater ecosystems and habitats, and agricultural intensification. Devising effective responses to these major challenges will require a systems-oriented, multidisciplinary approach to reshape the food-water nexus so that it works for all people sustainably. Yet many of the tools and approaches needed have yet to be developed or applied.

The Food-Water-Sustainability grant program, offered in partnership with the School of Global Environmental Sustainability and the CSU Agricultural Experiment Station, provides funding to help address this shortfall.

Any CSU faculty and staff with established research interests in food, water, and sustainability, whose existing or planned research projects will be significantly enhanced by receiving the award, are encouraged to apply for the two-year award. Applicants must demonstrate the ability and desire to address a relevant challenge through broad-based interdisciplinary research, education, and engagement activities. Special consideration will be given to projects that include undergraduate and graduate students as well as post-doc researchers. The maximum funding for this grant is up to $100,000 for a two-year project, contingent based on progress during year one and available funding. Proposals were due April 1, 2019.

The complete 2019 RFP can be found here. Applications for Food-Water-Sustainability Research Teams are now closed.