Research Funding cycle: 2022-27

Review of existing faecal indicator organism (FIO) models and future integration opportunities

This project looked at how modelling can help better understand where E. coli and other faecal indicator organisms (FIOs) in Scotland’s rivers, coastal waters and shellfish areas are coming from. These pollutants can originate from several sources — including livestock, wildlife, septic tanks and wastewater systems — and their behaviour is strongly influenced by rainfall and hydrology. Monitoring alone cannot show which sources are most important, especially during short‑lived events such as storms.

CSPF2026_01 Valuing the Benefits of Protecting and Improving Scotland’s Water Environment

Type of project: Science Policy Fellowship

Overview: CREW invites proposals for a c.5 month Science Policy Fellowship project to develop a spreadsheet resource that collates the available evidence on the costs and benefits of protecting and improving Scotland’s water environment. 

The fellowship will require expertise in environmental/ecological economics and/or natural capital to assess, interpret, and organise evidence to support national-scale policy and decision-making. 

Reducing the mental health and wellbeing impacts of flooding: Informing cross-policy action in Scotland

Scotland faces growing and complex risks from climate-related flooding, which is increasingly recognised as a significant public health challenge. Beyond physical damage, flooding has long-lasting impacts on mental health and wellbeing, affecting individuals, communities, and local services. These impacts can persist well beyond the immediate event, exacerbating existing inequalities and placing additional pressure on health and social care systems.

CRW2024_06 Transitioning Surface Water Collection to Surface Water Reuse Systems

 

 

This project explored the potential in Scotland to capture and reuse surface water in urban areas for non-potable purposes. 

The research focused on improving understanding of aspects such as potential sources and place-based solutions, current regulatory requirements, and environmental and socio-economic drivers as important factors to enable a transition to widespread surface water reuse in Scotland.

CRW2025_09 The use of large wood structures in river restoration in Scotland

Type of project: Capacity Building Project

Overview: CREW invites proposals for a c.6 month Capacity Building project develop an interim decision-support framework to inform decision-making about using Large Wood Structures (LWS) in river restoration projects in different environmental settings.

Budget: Funding available is £97,000 exclusive of VAT (where applicable).

Deadline to apply: Closed

Natural Capital and River Basin Management Planning - Protecting and Improving Scotland’s Water Environment

Scotland is globally renowned for its natural resources like clean rivers, rich wildlife, heather moorlands and fresh air. Protecting, enhancing and restoring these resources provides us with many benefits and is essential to safeguard our future environment, wellbeing and the economy.  River Basin Management Planning (RBMP) provides a framework to reduce pressures on Scotland’s water environment and protect and enhance the benefits that our rivers, lochs, wetlands and groundwaters provide. 

CRW2025_05 Increasing understanding of the environmental implications of utilising treated wastewater effluent in hydrogen production

Type of project: Capacity Building Project

Overview: CREW invites proposals for a c.7.5-month Capacity Building project to increase understanding of the environmental implications of utilising treated wastewater effluent in hydrogen production.

Budget: Funding available £77,000 exclusive of VAT (where applicable).

Call dates: Call closed.

CRW2025_04 Road Run-off Pollution: An evidence review of current and emerging risks to Scotland’s water environment, human health, and the policy and regulatory landscape

Type of project: Capacity Building Project

Overview: CREW invites proposals for a c.7.5-month Capacity Building project to develop a risk framework to assess the potential impacts of road run-off on Scotland’s water environment and human health.

Budget: Funding available £85,000 exclusive of VAT (where applicable).

Call dates: Call closed.

Subscribe to Research Funding cycle: 2022-27