Affiliating with the Water Institute connects you to a multidisciplinary network across the University of Florida with access to:

• A broad network of water expertise and collaborative opportunities across the University of Florida.
• Eligibility for Water Institute awards, funding, and programs for affiliate faculty and their students.
• Proposal development support, peer review, and expert facilitation for interdisciplinary teams.
• Updates on external funding, networking, and professional development opportunities through the weekly Droplet newsletter.
• Recognition of faculty achievements through Water Institute communications and programs.
• Water Institute Support for Enhanced Research Access (WISER Access).
  Water Institute Affiliate faculty can request support for open-source/open access publication of accepted scholarly work. Eligible papers must focus on water as a central theme, but may be from any discipline.

The Water Institute serves as a connector for faculty across the University of Florida involved in water-related research, education, or outreach. To understand the needs of faculty from this breadth of disciplines and departments, the Water Institute receives guidance from its Faculty Advisory Committee on the formation and execution of our programs, plans, and policies.

The Faculty Advisory Committee is comprised of 15 affiliate faculty members who serve staggered three-year terms. Members are elected by the affiliate faculty through nominations and self-nominations or are appointed by the Water Institute Director from the nomination pool to ensure representation across academic units, campus locations, and types of faculty appointments.

The Water Institute Faculty Fellow Program is a three-year award to recognize affiliate faculty who are making outstanding research, extension, or education contributions in water programs. During their fellowship term, Faculty Fellows lead initiative(s), deliver a university-wide seminar, and serve as ambassadors for the Water Institute both within and outside the University of Florida.

Affiliate faculty selected as a Faculty Fellow gain professional recognition, access to Water Institute resources to support their initiative, and increased networking ability.

The Water Institute Faculty Fellow Program is a three-year award to recognize affiliate faculty who are making outstanding research, extension, or education contributions in water programs. During their fellowship term, Faculty Fellows lead initiative(s), deliver a university-wide seminar, and serve as ambassadors for the Water Institute both within and outside the University of Florida.

Affiliate faculty selected as a Faculty Fellow gain professional recognition, access to Water Institute resources to support their initiative, and increased networking ability.

Affiliate faculty may access services aligned with our strategic priorities and team availability to advance research, collaboration, and impact. These include:

• Facilitation & Coordination: Expert support to convene and guide interdisciplinary teams through cross-sector collaboration, workshops, meetings, proposal development, and project management.
• Data Science & Planning: Assistance with data management planning, dataset synthesis, and transforming data into actionable insights.
• Research Development & Proposal Support: Strategic guidance to strengthen and enhance the competitiveness of research proposals.

The Water Institute builds collaborative partnerships across the University of Florida and among a suite of public and private partners to advance a sustainable, resilient, and equitable water future both locally and globally.

Through these collaborative efforts, affiliate faculty can engage in activities such as proposal development, needs assessments, and State of the Science workshops—strengthening funding competitiveness, expanding collaborations, and increasing research impact. Faculty with project ideas are encouraged to contact us.

The Water Institute hosts faculty-led working groups that bring interdisciplinary teams together to address key water challenges and themes. These groups foster research collaboration, proposal development, and stakeholder engagement. Faculty are invited to propose or join working groups.

Have an idea? Contact us.

The University of Florida Water Scholars Program advances interdisciplinary research, builds lasting collaborations, and helps secure external funding to address complex water challenges. It convenes faculty and students to address an emerging area of water science while bridging the social, natural, and engineering science to conduct innovative research.

Coordinated by the Water Institute, the Florida Water and Climate Alliance (FloridaWCA) is a stakeholder–scientist partnership advancing locally relevant, actionable climate science for water management and planning. Faculty can engage through webinars, workshops, and collaborative research. 

The Water Institute hosts the Water Institute Biennial Symposium convening scientists, students, practitioners, policy experts, community leaders, and more to tackle complex water challenges. This event has surged in size, visibility, and impact to stand as one of Florida’s most influential water-focused events and a trusted forum for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and coordinated action on water challenges.

Faculty are encouraged to present their research, build connections beyond of the University of Florida, and support students participation.

The Water Institute hosts and partners across UF to offer seminars, workshops, and events that connect the water community. Highlights include the Student Showcase, which elevates student research, and the Distinguished Scholar Seminar Series, featuring leading voices in water science and management.
Faculty can share their work, build new connections, and engage with students and partners, and may also co-host events with the Water Institute.

Have a seminar idea? Contact us.

When permitted by their college or unit, affiliate faculty may contribute a portion of IDC returns to support collaborative Water Institute initiatives that advance the campus water community.