February 23, 2017
Latest news and updates
Register now | 2017 Water for Food Global Conference
We invite you to register now for the 2017 Water for Food Global Conference, held April 10-12, at Nebraska Innovation Campus in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. The three-day event will bring together experts from around the world to explore “Water for Food Security: From Local Lessons to Global Impacts,” a theme inspired by the notion that global breakthroughs come from local action. Early registration ends March 10. Please use the coupon code "EARLYBIRD" to save $100. More details, including how to register, are available on our website.
Special discounts are available to all academic faculty, staff and students. If you have questions regarding registration, please contact Amber Poythress.
2017 WARI scholarship opportunities
The Water Advanced Research and Innovation (WARI) Fellowship Program will award five University of Nebraska–Lincoln students with scholarships to India in 2017, where they will have the opportunity to conduct research at top-level Indian institutions. Please help spread the word to graduate students who may be interested.

The application deadline is March 17.
Partner meetings promote knowledge sharing, collaboration 
The World Bank | Washington, DC

As part of a series of partner meetings in Washington, DC, Executive Director Peter McCornick and Directors Christopher Neale and Nick Brozovic were invited to present to The World Bank’s Water in Agriculture Global Solutions Group in January. The group discussed areas of mutual interest, including assessing water productivity, viable water markets and scaling investments in smallholder irrigated agriculture. Future opportunities to share knowledge and support operational programs were explored, including participation in the 2017 conference.
INDRHI | Dominican Republic

On Feb. 12, Director of Research Christopher Neale visited with colleagues at the INDRHI República Dominicana, the federal water resources agency of the Dominican Republic. The group discussed water management collaborations using remote sensing, among other topics. Pictured above (from left): Ing. Raul Perez, Dr. Christopher Neale, Ing. Olgo Fernandez and Ing. Silvio Carrasco.
GRIPP | Geneva, Switzerland
Director of Policy Nick Brozovic participated in a Groundwater Solutions Initiative for Policy and Practice (GRIPP) partners meeting on Feb. 8 in Geneva, Switzerland. The group, led by the International Water Management Institute, discussed new collaborations on groundwater research and policy.
Teacher professional development program earns grant support
The Water Education Leaders for Secondary Science project at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln recently earned a second grant to foster science literacy about water resources issues among teachers in Nebraska.

The 15-month continuing education program, led by Faculty Fellow Cory Forbes, associate professor of science education at UNL, gives Nebraska middle- and high-school teachers an opportunity to develop stronger knowledge of water and water resources to enhance students’ understanding of water science and related issues. Teachers can register for the course at go.unl.edu/wels2.
Creator of the water footprint concept presents seminar 
On Jan. 23, Arjen Hoekstra from University of Twente in the Netherlands visited the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute and gave a public seminar at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. A video recording of the seminar, “Water Footprint Assessment: An Evolving Research Field,” is available on our YouTube channel.
Recent publications
New research on irrigated sugarcane Brazil
Postdoctoral researcher Ivo Zution Goncalves recently published two papers examining the water efficiency of irrigated sugarcane in Brazil.

Agriculture Water Management Journal

Journal of Cleaner Production
New book examines water security in the Middle East
Faculty Fellow Jean Cahan, a religious and historical philosopher at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, has edited and published a new book of essays that examine water security problems in transboundary water systems in the Middle East. "Water Security in the Middle East: Essays in Scientific and Social Cooperation" is available here.
Nebraska Water Center updates
Juntakut recognized as an emerging leader in food security
Nebraska Water Center PhD student Pongpun Juntakut was selected to serve on the Chicago Council on Global Affairs' 2017 Next Generation Delegation, a highly selective group of 20 students from universities throughout the U.S. and across the globe studying agriculture, food, health and related disciplines. Juntakut's research is focused on studying groundwater quality and modeling in the vadose zone. He is working on long-term trends of nitrate contamination in groundwater while pursuing a doctorate in civil engineering (water resources) at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Juntakut will participate in the council's Global Food Security Symposium in March. Learn more about the delegation.
Advisory Board meets for discussion and review of USGS-funded projects
Grant brings “Know Your Well” program to 16 Nebraska schools
WRAP meets at Ferguson House
Kraus receives Four States’ Headgate Award
Upcoming water seminars
March 1, 3:30 p.m.
Jerry Kenny, executive director, Platte River Recovery Implementation Program
“The Platte River Recovery Implementation Program: What Has Been Ahead, Accomplished and What Remains to be Done”

March 15, 3:30 p.m.
Siamak Nejati, assistant professor, College of Engineering, UNL
“Engineering Solutions for Cleaning Contaminated Water: Membranes for Membrane Distillation"

These seminars will be held at the Hardin Hall auditorium on UNL's East Campus. Videos of past seminars are available online. Learn more.

Spotlight
Aude Gaju Ngoga, intern
Aude Gaju Ngoga, originally from Kigali, Rwanda, is pursuing a degree in integrated science at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. In 2016, she worked with the institute on a project researching well moratoriums in Nebraska. She continues to assist with other projects related to the sustainability and restoration of our water resources while giving back to the population.
Opportunities
LAKES Research Experience for Undergraduates
Undergraduate students have an opportunity to participate in an 8-week summer research internship with the NSF-sponsored Research Experience for Undergraduates  site at University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, Wisconsin. The LAKES (Linking Applied Knowledge in Environmental Sustainability) program focuses on water quality and phosphorus mitigation in an interdisciplinary manner with projects in economics, geography, anthropology, sociology and more.
Application deadline: March 1, 2017

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Momentum for Change welcomes the submission of “Lighthouse Activities” that shine a light on innovative, scalable and replicable examples of what people around the world are doing to address climate change. Submissions are accepted from organizations, communities, cities, businesses, governments and others. Winners will receive a range of benefits, including fully-paid participation at the UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn (COP 23) in November 2017.
Deadline for applications: April 9, 2017
Learn more.

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
The “Scaling Off-Grid Energy Grand Challenge for Development” (SOGE) seeks to provide 20 million households in sub-Saharan Africa with access to modern, clean and affordable off-grid electricity from solar sources. USAID welcomes applications from U.S. and non-U.S. private businesses and social enterprises that are solar manufacturers, distributors and service providers. Grants will range from US $500,000 to $1.5 million. USAID requires a private financial commitment in the ratio of at least 2:1 to the amount of a grant.
Funding Opportunity: APS-OAA-16-000001-ADDENDUM-SOGE.
Deadline for concept papers: April 30, 2017

2017 Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition's 2017 YES! (Young Earth Solutions) Research Grant Competition
This competition invites young PhD and postdoctoral researchers to submit a research project to improve the sustainability of the food system. Winners receive a $20,000 research grant for a one-year investigation.
Proposal deadline: June 28, 2017
About us
The Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska was founded in 2010 by the Robert B. Daugherty Foundation to address the global challenge of achieving food security with less stress on water resources through improved water management in agricultural and food systems. The institute is committed to ensuring a water and food secure world while maintaining the use of water for other human and environmental needs.  
waterforfood.nebraska.edu | (+1) 402.472.5145

The Nebraska Water Center, established by Congress in 1964, focuses on helping the University of Nebraska become an international leader in water research, teaching, extension and outreach by facilitating programs that will result in UNL becoming a premiere institution in the study of agricultural and domestic water use.
watercenter.unl.edu | (+1) 402.472.3305