The West Virginia Water Research Institute at West Virginia University is offering local watershed groups in four regions that make up its 3 Rivers Quest Program up to $7,000 through a small grants program.
A total of $160,000 in funding is available for eligible applicants from throughout the 3RQ project regions, which include the Monongahela River Basin, the Upper Ohio River Basin, the Northern Allegheny River Basin, and the Southern Allegheny River Basin. Each region has been allotted up to $40,000 with a $7,000 limit for each applicant. The small grants program aims to help local watershed groups develop or expand their water quality monitoring activities.
“We realize that those involved in water quality monitoring are at varying stages as it pertains to their program,” said 3RQ program manager Melissa O’Neal. “It is our hope that these grants will help get a monitoring program started or help further the efforts of a more established group.”
3RQ is a regional water quality monitoring and reporting program funded by the Pittsburgh-based Colcom Foundation. Program partners include Duquesne University, Wheeling Jesuit University and the Iron Furnace Chapter of Trout Unlimited.
Proposals must be submitted to the corresponding 3RQ partner in the region in which they are engaged in water quality monitoring. The 3RQ grant program deadline is March 15.
The 3 Rivers QUEST regions and corresponding contacts for proposal submissions are:
Monongahela River Basin – West Virginia Water Research Institute
Contact: Melissa O’Neal; (304) 293-7006; Melissa.O’Neal@mail.wvu.edu
Upper Ohio River Basin – Wheeling Jesuit University
Contact: Dr. Benjamin Stout; (304) 243-2316; bens@wju.edu
Northern Allegheny River Basin – Iron Furnace Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Contact: Dr. Bruce Dickson; (814) 227-9126; bcdickson95@gmail.com
Southern Allegheny River Basin – Duquesne University
Contact: Dr. Stanley Kabala; (412) 396-4233; kabala@duq.edu
For more information about the 3 Rivers QUEST grant program or how to submit a proposal, see www.3RiversQUEST.org.
Founded in 1967, WVWRI is funded through the US Geological Survey. It serves as a statewide vehicle for performing research related to water issues. WVWRI is the premier water research center in West Virginia and, within selected fields, an international leader.
The primary mission of the Colcom Foundation is to foster a sustainable environment to ensure quality of life for all Americans by addressing major causes and consequences of overpopulation and its adverse effects on natural resources. Regionally, the Foundation supports conservation, environmental projects and cultural assets.
The grant from the Colcom Foundation was made in conjunction with A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia’s University. The $750 million comprehensive campaign being conducted by the WVU Foundation on behalf of the University runs through December 2015.
