Join the CSU-WATER listserv to receive notification when funding calls for application are posted. Send an email to
[email protected] to subscribe.
Transform Your Research and Teaching Through Water-Centric Initiatives
CSU-WATER FIP 2024-25
The Bridges Program aims to advance workforce readiness through research and teaching funded collaborations.
During the 2024-2026 academic year, Dr. Jennifer Alford, Associate Director for Research at CSU-WATER and faculty at CSU San Bernardino (CSUSB), led a comprehensive redesign and rebranding of the Faculty Incentive Program (FIP), now introduced as the Bridges Program. This new initiative is designed to strengthen the link between student-centered teaching and workforce preparedness through collaborative research and partnerships.
The Bridges Program focuses on “connecting pedagogy to practice" by bridging the classroom experience to real-world workforce demands. It offers three distinct incentive pathways:
-
Program Area 1: Classroom to Community (C2C): This program pathway provides $2,000 to faculty for developing classroom-based research and workforce development projects in collaboration with community partners. Activities may include fieldwork, professional development, curriculum design aligned with certifications, and more.
-
Program Area 2: Community-University-Agency Research Cohort Pilot Program: This program area offers $5,000 per cohort to support faculty-student-community teams in creating and executing pilot case studies focused on watershed resiliency. These projects aim to develop proof-of-concept models for future funding opportunities.
-
Program Area 3: Establishing Collaborative Funding Streams: This program area allocates $5,000 per cohort to support teams that have already completed pilot projects or case studies, helping them prepare and submit formal funding proposals for sustained research and community impact.
Through this innovative program, CSU-WATER aims to foster meaningful academic community collaborations while equipping students with real-world skills and experiences.
Applications for the 2026-2027 Faculty Incentive Program are now available. The deadline to submit applications is December 20, 2025. Please join the
CSU-WATER listserv to receive a notification for the call for applications.
Apply here