AMES, Iowa- The Iowa Nutrient Research Center is accepting new proposals for research projects designed to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus in Iowa’s water. The center invites proposals for water quality projects that will benefit farmers, landowners, agribusinesses, policy makers and communities.
“This year’s RFP was revised for 2026 with input from a broad range of stakeholders who attended INRC meetings this winter and input from the INRC Advisory Council. It has new priority areas for investigation, along with topics that continue to be of strong interest,” said INRC Director Matt Helmers.
The center will emphasize seven main areas of research for funding in FY2027:
- Nutrient management
- Practice adoption: barriers, motivators and engagement
- Quantify and optimize nature-inspired practices
- Ecosystem services valuation and economic incentives
- Water quality predictive modeling and watershed-scale assessment
- Soil nutrient testing and in-field nutrient status
- New technologies
“Sound nutrient reduction research projects that don’t fit these priority areas may also be considered,” said Helmers.
Potential applicants are encouraged to review the full 2026 request for proposals (PDF) for complete details about the priority topics and application instructions. Proposals will be accepted from any Iowa nonprofit, agency or educational institution. The Center strongly encourages collaboration or involvement with faculty or staff at one of the Regent universities. Projects can last up to two years. Investigators that were funded in 2025 for multiple years do not have to reapply.
Selection will be based on the amount of funding available and how well projects reflect the priorities listed in the request for proposals. Specific elements that will be considered include the soundness of the research plan for the proposed time period, clear plans for data collection and management, and outreach activities. All proposals are judged by a set of reviewers who are not associated with any of the proposed projects.
Proposals are due by May 1, 2026, for projects that would begin in August. Award decisions will be made in July.
Questions about the request for proposals should be directed to INRC Program Specialist Malcolm Robertson, at 515-294-5692, malcolmr@iastate.edu, or INRC Director Matt Helmers, mhelmers@iastate.edu.
Ongoing and past research projects can be viewed at https://inrc.cals.iastate.edu/projects.
About the Iowa Nutrient Research Center
Established in 2013, the Iowa Nutrient Research Center selects promising proposals every year to fund research to help meet the goals identified in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Since its inception, the center has sponsored more than 157 water quality projects totaling $19.3 million.
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