On May 25, 2022, the Department of Energy, through the National Alliance for Water Innovation (NAWI) hub announced a request for proposals (RFP). This $5 million solicitation offers applicants the chance to design, build, operate, and test desalination and water reuse treatment systems that produce clean water from non-traditional water sources, such as brackish water, seawater, produced and extracted water, and wastewater.  

This RFP will support projects that significantly reduce the levelized cost of water for small-scale desalination systems, helping the U.S. diversify its water supplies, improve its resilience to the effects of climate change, and move closer to net-zero carbon emissions.

Pilot projects that support the research objectives established in the NAWI Roadmap Publication Series stand the best chance of receiving an award. NAWI will ultimately select 6-8 research teams from industry, academia and the U.S. National Laboratories, with a minimum 35% cost share required from each team.

Topic Areas:

For a detailed list of the seven Areas of Interest for this RFP, please see page 7 of the RFP document.

Additional Information:

• Interested applicants must submit a Concept Paper by the deadline to be eligible to submit a Full Proposal.
• To apply to this RFP, applicants must register with and submit application materials through the online application portal, NAWI Exchange.
• Applicants must designate primary technical and business points-of-contact in NAWI Exchange with whom NAWI will communicate to conduct negotiations. If the application is selected for award negotiations, it is not a commitment to issue an award. It is imperative that the applicant be responsive during award negotiations and meet negotiation deadlines. Failure to do so may result in the cancelation of further award negotiations and rescission of the selection.
• Read the DOE Press Release about this RFP.
• Please reach out to Kenneth Kort with RFP-specific inquiries.
• See other current and past funding opportunities.

Key Dates: