Research and Development Grant Program

The Ohio Water Development Authority Research and Development Grant Program is a state-administered funding initiative established in 1985 under the authority of the Ohio Administrative Code. The program is designed to support research and development activities that advance water, wastewater, solid waste, and energy resource management systems across the state of Ohio. The Authority operates from Columbus and provides financial assistance to projects that demonstrate statewide relevance and contribute to environmental protection, resource management, and public health outcomes. Funding for this program is derived from the Authority’s designated Research and Development Grant Fund and is dependent on the availability of those funds. The primary purpose of the program is to encourage innovative research that addresses challenges in areas such as drinking water systems, wastewater treatment, water resource management, solid waste handling, and energy development. Priority is given to projects that have broad applicability across the state, particularly those that address water quality, technology advancements, equity in water access, reuse strategies, and resilience or security of water systems. Over time, the program has supported a wide range of projects spanning environmental science, agriculture, and public health, reflecting its multidisciplinary scope. Funding through this program is structured to support research-related costs including project startup and direct research expenses. Indirect or overhead costs are permitted but are capped at 35 percent of the total grant amount. The maximum grant award is limited to 200000 dollars per project, and applicants must provide a matching contribution such that the grant does not exceed 50 percent of the total project cost, effectively requiring a 1:1 match. There are no administrative fees associated with the grant. The standard project performance period is up to five years, although extensions may be requested in writing. Eligible applicants include a wide range of public and institutional entities such as state agencies, municipal governments, counties, water and sewer districts, conservancy districts, and public or private institutions of higher education. These entities must be engaged in or capable of conducting research and development activities aligned with the program’s objectives. The program is limited to Ohio-based or Ohio-serving entities, and all funded projects must demonstrate benefits that extend across the state. The application process requires submission of a comprehensive proposal that outlines the research problem, relevant prior work, proposed methodology, expected outcomes, and the broader impact of the research. Applicants must also provide detailed budgets, evidence of matching funds, qualifications of project investigators, and any necessary supporting documentation such as letters of support. Electronic submission is required via email to the designated program contact. Applicants may be invited to present their proposals at a public meeting before a subcommittee as part of the evaluation process. The evaluation and award process includes several stages, beginning with an application deadline followed by applicant presentations, internal review, and final approval by the OWDA Board. For the June funding cycle, applications are due on June 5, 2026, with subsequent presentations in August, recommendations in September, and final board approval in October. Successful applicants must comply with reporting requirements, including a progress report at the midpoint of fund disbursement and a final report upon completion. Ten percent of the grant is withheld until the final report is submitted and approved. Additionally, if the research results in patentable outcomes, the grantee must remit a portion of resulting revenues to OWDA until the grant amount is repaid.

Emphasize statewide impact and alignment with water quality, resilience, and innovation priorities; ensure matching funds are clearly documented; prepare for potential presentation to OWDA review committee