MILWAUKEE — Current, an independent regional nonprofit water innovation hub, has been awarded Phase 2 support of up to $45 million in federal funding over three years to scale Great Lakes RENEW, the U.S. National Science Foundation-backed Regional Innovation Engine, for novel and sustainable circular water solutions. Marquette is a Current Research Consortium partner, a relationship that plays a vital role in advancing water innovation by providing strategic, use-inspired guidance that shapes Current’s programs — from accelerating technology commercialization through Great Lakes RENEW.
The continuation of funding from the NSF builds on Current’s original designation as one of the NSF’s inaugural Regional Innovation Engines and reinforces Great Lakes RENEW’s bold vision: to transform the waste in our water systems into wealth.
“This new funding will allow Marquette researchers to propose projects for novel technologies to recover valuable resources and energy from wastewaters created by municipalities and industries,” said Dr. Daniel Zitomer, chair and professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering. “RENEW will also help researchers move their novel technologies to the marketplace via tech transfer assistance. The projects also support the educational mission of the university by funding student researchers, both undergraduates and graduate students. The funding will also support water industry job training in the Midwest.”
As water-intensive industries — from AI data centers to energy production and manufacturing — are placing growing demands on the region’s fresh water, Great Lakes RENEW and its coalition of more than 75 partners are advancing solutions that support the long-term sustainability of Great Lakes water resources. These efforts also drive economic growth and enhance the security, prosperity and health of American communities.
“We are seeing incredible momentum of water innovation, entrepreneurship and research at Marquette and across the Great Lakes region,” said Dr. Kristina Ropella, Opus Dean of the Opus College of Engineering. “In Milwaukee, we’ve long known water to be one of our most precious, valuable resources, and as changes in technology and the environment have raised water as one of the top national and global concerns, we are well-suited to lead in this area and create solutions for communities near and far. We are proud to do this work collaboratively with so many great institutions across our region — water is a shared resource that cycles across borders, industries and all people. The only way to truly address our biggest water opportunities and problems is to do it together.”
This next wave of NSF funding will enable Great Lakes RENEW to:
- Execute a multi-year strategic plan focused on advancing cutting-edge research and development, the commercialization of water technologies, and career pathways into the water economy
- Engage regional leaders to advance policies, systems and markets toward a circular water future
- Expand the nation’s first connected testbed network to pilot new water technologies across utilities, industrial sites and open-water environments
- Direct millions in funding to leading organizations, entrepreneurs and researchers across RENEW’s six-state region of service
- Support hundreds of new solutions aimed at recovering critical minerals and removing harmful contaminants from wastewater
The initial NSF award pledged up to $160 million over 10 years in 2024. This latest commitment builds on the initial $14.7 million investment in 2024 and brings the NSF’s total support for Great Lakes RENEW to nearly $60 million.
About Current
Current is an independent nonprofit water innovation hub, founded in Chicago in 2016. Our mission is to grow an inclusive Blue Economy, accelerate innovation and solve pressing water challenges. We bring together corporations, advocates, researchers and governments to develop water management policies and test new technologies—projects that would be too risky or even impossible without sustained collaboration. Current has helped to raise more than $58 million to support water innovation and inclusive economic development in the region; launched the first real-time water quality monitoring tool for Chicago waterways; drafted a blueprint to build a thriving Blue Economy in Illinois and supported the commercialization of more than 40 water startups. Learn more about Current.
