Water scarcity is an increasing risk across Scotland, particularly during the growing season. Changing rainfall patterns driven by climate change mean water can no longer be relied on as a consistently plentiful resource. This growing pressure affects farm businesses as well as the freshwater habitats and wildlife that depend on them.
Type of project: Capacity Building Project
Overview: CREW invites proposals for a c.9.5-month Capacity Building project to deliver an evidence synthesis and review, a gap analysis, and a methodological review focused on land- and freshwater-based sources of pressures relevant to the sensitivities of key assets in marine and estuarine waters.
Budget: Funding available £90,000 exclusive of VAT (where applicable).
Type of project: Capacity Building Project
Overview: CREW invites proposals for a c.9.5-month Capacity Building project to evaluate the impacts of hydrological drought and intermittent flow recovery on freshwater biota in Scottish river systems, and to assess whether current water scarcity policy provides adequate and practical environmental protection across different river typologies.
Call closed
CREW Code: CD2025_02
Theme: Water Quality and Health
Type of project: Call Down Project
Lead research team: The James Hutton Institute
CREW Code: CRW2025_02
Theme: Hydrological Extremes, Coasts and Risk Management
Project status: Project complete. Click here to visit the publication page to view the project outputs.
Type of project: Capacity Building Project
CREW Code: CRW2025_01
Theme: Hydrological Extremes, Coasts and Risk Management
Project status: Project complete. Click here to visit the publication page to view the project outputs.
Type of project: Capacity Building Project
Lead research team: GCU
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) was successfully used to monitor infectious disease markers at population level, exemplified by SARS-CoV-2, obtaining near real-time population level data. To merit further investment, policy teams need assurance that improved surveillance benefits health protection in Scotland.
CREW is governed according to key policy areas in Scotland’s water sector including flooding, water scarcity, coastal erosion, catchment management, rural sustainability, water quality and health, and resource recovery. Cross-cutting activities focus on adapting to climate change, land use and urbanisation, promoting the circular economy, a post-COVID green recovery, the move to net zero and a just transition for communities.
All our work has an overarching consideration of maximising the benefits of research to society and the environment.
Flooding is a growing concern in Scotland with climate change increasing the risk and frequency of extreme events. In Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is the body responsible for flood forecasting. Accurate flood forecasting plays a vital role in helping communities prepare, respond, and stay safe.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi or other microbes change in ways that stop medicines, like antibiotics, from working properly. This makes infections harder to treat and increases the risk of them spreading, lasting longer, or becoming more serious. The Scottish One Health AMR Register (SOHAR) brings together AMR-related research involving Scottish researchers and organisations. It shows how Scotland is contributing to national efforts and helps identify where more work is needed.