Scientists from Michigan’s top research universities are joining forces to grapple with complex water, climate and energy problems confronting the Great Lakes State.
Recognizing that Michigan’s most complex challenges cannot be solved in isolation, Research Universities for Michigan (RU4M) today announced the recipients of the first round of Livable Futures Initiative (LFI) Water Collaboration Grants.
Driven by the conviction that securing the state’s water future requires working across campuses and disciplines, RU4M has invested $400,000 in seed funding to launch this initiative. This funding is designed to break down institutional silos, bringing together interdisciplinary research teams from Michigan State University, Michigan Technological University, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University.
“These projects reflect the power of collaboration across RU4M institutions,” said Britany Affolter-Caine, RU4M Executive Director. “By uniting researchers across disciplines and campuses, we’re accelerating the ideas and partnerships Michigan needs to build a more resilient future — one that protects our water resources, strengthens communities, and supports long-term prosperity.”
The first round grants will support five collaborative projects focused on protecting and strengthening Michigan’s water systems, communities, and economy, as follows:
Faster, Safer Beach Days
Lead PI Ishi Keenum of MTU and her RU4M colleagues (Marisa Eisenberg, U-M; Jeffrey Ram, Wayne State; and Nishita D’Souza, MSU) are testing a new tool that provides beach water bacteria results in 15 minutes, drastically reducing the current 24-hour wait. This rapid testing will ensure Michigan beaches are safe for swimmers in real time.
Turning Waste into Fertilizer
Lead PI Nancy Love of U-M and the RU4M team (Stephen Gasteyer, MSU; Matthew Seeger, Wayne State; and David Watkins, MTU) will address two issues simultaneously: cleaning Michigan’s lakes and creating local fertilizer. They plan to capture nutrients from human and food waste to prevent lake pollution, recycling them into safe, affordable fertilizer for farmers.
Using Water Towers to Save Energy
Pumping drinking water requires massive electricity. Lead PI Anna Stuhlmacher of MTU and her RU4M colleagues (Johanna Mathieu, U-M; Maggie Williams, MSU; and Carol Miller, Wayne State) will study using water towers as “giant batteries”: utilities can pump water when electricity is cheap (like at night) and use gravity during the day when power is expensive. This smarter method reduces electric bills, grid strain, and pollution.
Fighting Floods with Nature in Cities
To combat increased rain and flooding in cities like Detroit, Lead PI Maria Arquero de Alarcon of U-M and her RU4M colleagues (Angela Burrow, MSU; and Lamine Boumaiza, Wayne State) will implement “rewilding” strategies—using nature, such as wetlands and rain gardens, to manage stormwater, restore local ecology, and offer a long-term solution.
A “Master Plan” for Michigan’s Water
Instead of reacting to water emergencies, Lead PI Andrew Gronewold of U-M and his RU4M colleagues (Ethan Theuerkauf, MSU; Donna Kashian, Wayne State; and David Watkins, MTU) will unite Michigan’s water experts with community leaders to create a unified 25-year “playbook” for water protection through 2050.
The LFI Water Collaboration Grants were launched in fall 2025 following a RU4M summit in Detroit that convened more than 100 researchers to explore opportunities for joint research and action. The initiative is designed to cultivate teams and ideas that can lead to larger-scale research efforts and measurable impact for Michigan in the years ahead.
The grant program is administered by the University of Michigan Office of the Vice President for Research.