BAA: Establishing Consortia to Advance Energy-Water Security

The National Science Foundation seeks Phase 1 consortia development projects to advance energy-water security, with white papers due August 10, 2026 at 12 p.m. EDT. This is an unrestricted Broad Agency Announcement (BAA 49100426R0009) with no set-asides; questions closed July 30, 2026 at 5 p.m. ET.

Work is performed within the United States. The initiative prioritizes the Colorado River Basin, addressing vulnerabilities where water scarcity threatens energy production, baseload stability, and industrial water extraction. Two priority outcome areas are Water for Energy Reliability and Reservoir Resilience, and Energy-Water Efficiency and Industrial Success. Illustrative technical workstreams include AI-informed hydropower modeling, reservoir evaporation suppression, low/no water-cooling technologies for thermal power, coupled water-energy system modeling, aquifer storage and recovery, grid-load management via water conveyance, closed-loop recycled-water cooling for data centers, atmospheric water capture, brackish groundwater desalination, critical mineral recovery from wastewater, and produced water treatment.

Phase 1 awards reach up to $10 million for 12-month performance periods, with $50 million anticipated total Phase 1 funding subject to appropriations. The Government will award Firm-Fixed Price procurement contracts and strongly encourages FFP pricing structures.

White papers are limited to five single-spaced pages (excluding cover page and Rough Order of Magnitude cost estimate) and must address technical approach, consortium vision, innovation, deployability, scope, impacts on energy-water security, and project milestones. Selected white papers will advance to Phase 2 full proposal submission (anticipated mid to late September 2026). Full proposals are limited to 15 pages of project description and must include partnership structure with roles and responsibilities, coordination plan, biographical sketches, letters of collaboration, utility MOUs, data management plan, and detailed FFP budget justification.

Eligible entities include universities, nonprofits, corporations, hospitals, and businesses; FFRDCs cannot lead and are limited to 20% of aggregate work. Small Disadvantaged Businesses, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, HBCUs, and Minority Institutions are encouraged. An institution may submit one white paper per priority outcome area as prime offeror but may participate as subcontractor on multiple proposals. All offerors must register in SAM.gov prior to submission. Evaluation criteria for white papers focus on technical merit, consortium development understanding, Colorado River Basin challenges, scope and milestone clarity, alignment with priority outcome areas, and offeror capabilities including team experience and feasibility. EPSCoR jurisdiction applicants and those able to partner with existing federal water and power infrastructure for real-world validation receive preference. Awards are anticipated within 12 months of BAA issuance.