Argonne National Lab Awarded $45M for Water Research

Funding will support expanded initiatives on water sustainability and conservation.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 10:35pm

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The National Science Foundation has awarded Argonne National Laboratory and its partners an additional $45 million to expand their research initiatives focused on water sustainability and conservation. The funding will allow the lab to build on its existing work in areas like water treatment, water resource management, and the development of new water technologies.

Why it matters

As the effects of climate change put increasing pressure on water resources globally, this investment in water-focused research at a leading national laboratory aims to develop innovative solutions to ensure the long-term availability and quality of water supplies.

The details

The $45 million grant will enable Argonne National Laboratory and its academic and industry partners to accelerate their work on a range of water-related challenges. Key focus areas include advancing water treatment and purification methods, improving models and forecasting tools for water resource management, and designing new materials and technologies to reduce water consumption and waste.

  • The funding was awarded on March 31, 2026.

The players

Argonne National Laboratory

A U.S. Department of Energy science and engineering research national laboratory located in Lemont, Illinois, operated by the University of Chicago.

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What they’re saying

“This critical funding will allow us to expand our water research initiatives and develop new solutions to some of the most pressing water challenges facing communities across the country and around the world.”

— Paul Kearns, Director, Argonne National Laboratory

What’s next

Argonne National Laboratory plans to use the new funding to hire additional researchers and engineers, acquire new equipment and facilities, and deepen partnerships with universities, companies, and other organizations working on water sustainability.

The takeaway

As climate change and population growth strain water resources globally, this major investment in water research at Argonne National Laboratory underscores the urgent need to develop innovative technologies and strategies to ensure the long-term availability and quality of water supplies.