Johns Hopkins University Water Institute

The Challenge

To provide the quality and quantity of water needed to sustain the health of mankind and the environment.

Key Objectives

• Discover 21st century solutions through research programs
• Train the next generation of leaders through fellowships and internships
• Disseminate knowledge through high profile public activities

Science & Policy Themes

• Water and Health
• Water and Energy
• Water Resiliency and Security
• Water and Agriculture
• Water in the Environment
• Water Infrastructure

Key Initiatives

Sustainable Watersheds and Infrastructure for Society and the Environment (WISE)

Inspiring holistic, creative, and collaborative approaches to address water challenges and create partnerships around local water challenges with global relevance.

• Water systems infrastructure sustainability, resilience, and security
• Threat mitigation of emerging contaminants
• Developing new water and wastewater solutions
• Health of the Chesapeake Bay as a model watershed

Solving the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Challenge

Leadership through partnerships that address the challenge of providing the quality and quantity of water needed to sustain public health and the environment.

• Developing and testing new water and sanitation technologies
• Optimizing water and sanitation in global disaster response
• Water security and conflict
• Early warning and prevention of water related disease
• The mWASH Project – using mobile systems to enable better WASH decisions and outcomes

Strategy to Meet the Key Objectives

I.  Discovery

Funding opportunities: The Institute will identify funding opportunities that JHU investigators can apply for to push forward innovative ideas to overcome water challenges. These external funding opportunities will catalyze creation of new research programs and be showcased on the JHU Water Institute website.

II.  Training

Undergraduate, Graduate, and Post-Doctoral Fellowships: Competitive Water Institute fellowships will help bring the next generation of world leaders in the water sector to JHU.

Internships: Exceptionally qualified graduates will have the opportunity to work alongside Institute leadership on scientific and programmatic projects (e.g. developing policy statements or organizing international conferences). Exceptionally qualified graduates will have the opportunity to work alongside Institute leadership on scientific and programmatic projects (e.g. developing policy statements or organizing international conferences).

III.  Dissemination

Engage donors: The Director and Deputy Director will engage donors and partners to discuss high-level collaboration as well as work alongside the development office and staff to foster philanthropic partnerships. The Institute leadership will develop key white papers showcasing the potential for integrated projects. These white papers will help communicate JHU research capabilities to donors and funding agencies.

Raise the Institute profile: The Institute leadership and core staff will promote JHU activities and raise the Institute’s public profile through a high-visibility web presence. These individuals will also host workshops, attend key international meetings, and promote sector dialogue on key issues. 

Engage the JHU community: The Institute’s leadership and core staff will conduct outreach activities with JHU faculty including seminars, workshops and retreats as well as develop a student travel scholars program to support conference participation. The leadership will attend and present at departmental and school-wide meetings. The goal will be to break down barriers that constrain collaboration by facilitating creative interdisciplinary research programs.