CALL 3 - STRENGTHENING WATER RESILIENCE THROUGH TRANSDISCIPLINARY INNOVATIONS FOR CLIMATE ADAPTATION
THEME: CLIMATE CHANGE | WATER SECURITY | EMERGING POLLUTANTS
CALL
This call seeks integrative, transdisciplinary research to address critical water-related impacts of climate change. These include increasing water scarcity, degradation of freshwater quality, urban and rural flooding, stormwater mismanagement, salinization, and contamination by conservative and emerging pollutants such as microplastics, PFAS, PPCPs.
The objective is to develop innovative solutions, traversing products, technologies, policy mechanisms, and community-based strategies that contribute meaningfully to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
The technological and societal challenge lies in designing scalable, inclusive, and sustainable interventions that protect water resources and ensure equitable access in the face of a changing climate. Solutions should be grounded in science, supported by local knowledge, practically implementable, and capable of delivering measurable impact on communities, ecosystems, and governance frameworks, 10-10 MySTIE.
This call invites researchers to forge transdisciplinary partnerships to generate impactful water innovations that build adaptive capacity, increase resilience, and promote sustainable water management across Malaysia and other tropical, climate-vulnerable regions.
KEY RESEARCH AREAS
Research and innovation must focus on developing integrated and novel approaches to water-related climate challenges relevant to Malaysia and similar tropical economies.
Areas of focus may include but are not limited to:
· Smart water infrastructure and technology
· Integrated watershed and stormwater management
· Nature-based solutions for water retention and purification
· Climate-resilient agriculture and water use efficiency
· Groundwater sustainability and recharge strategies
· Pollution control and treatment (including microplastics and emerging contaminants)
· Community-led and indigenous water governance models
· Decision-support systems for water planning and early warning
· Integrated water resource management
· Flood and stormwater mitigation strategies
· Nature-based solutions for water purification and retention
· Sustainable water infrastructure (e.g nonrevenue water)
· Community-based water adaptation practices
· Smart technologies for water monitoring (e.g nonrevenue water) and governance
. Groundwater sustainability
EXPECTED OUTCOME
*Transdisciplinary research and innovation solutions that enhance water system resilience while protecting community well-being and livelihoods.
*Demonstration of tangible benefits, scalable solutions for water security under climate stress including improved water quality, access, and management.
*Locally grounded solutions and approaches with potential for regional or global application.
TARGETED STAKEHOLDERS
- Communities Impacted by Water Insecurity: Including those affected by droughts, floods, pollution, and waterborne diseases.
- Governments and Policymakers: For climate-resilient water planning, infrastructure investment, and regulatory development
- Environmental and non-profits organizations: Focused on climate adaptation, water access, and sustainable development and to implement water security and disaster preparedness programs.
- Researchers and Academics: Across hydrology, climate science, public health, social science, governance, engineering and technology
- Businesses and Industries: Especially in agriculture, water supply, construction, and manufacturing sectors that depend on sustainable water resources
- International Organizations: Focused on water and climate goals, such as UN Water, UNEP, and global NGOs
- Educational Institutions: For research training, curriculum enhancement, and student engagement in water issues
- General Public: Who will benefit from increased water security, awareness, and behavioural change toward sustainability
- 2025-06-28 4:36:27 PM
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