Water Science Alliance - Joining forces

The scientific expertise of German water research is excellent in individual areas, but in particular, the national networking and international visibility of the entire field of research are inadequate. The Water Science Alliance establishes structures that help to better utilise the existing potential of German water research in the development and processing of complex and interdisciplinary research topics within thematic alliances. The complementarity of the research institutions (major research institutions and universities) results in synergies from the joint use of infrastructures, observatories, and large-scale equipment, as well as the promotion of young scientists, in addition to the sharing of expertise.

Call for Application geöffnet!

Dr. Erich Ritter-Stiftung im Stifterverband – Wasser-Monitoring-Preis 2026

Innovative Ideen für die Wasserforschung gesucht!

Die Dr. Erich Ritter-Stiftung im Stifterverband vergibt 2026 erneut den Wasser-Monitoring-Preis. Der mit 50.000 Euro dotierte Förderpreis zeichnet Nachwuchsforscher*innen aus, die neuartige Konzepte, Messmethoden oder Modellierungsansätze zur Beobachtung und Bewertung hydrologischer Prozesse entwickeln – besonders an der aquatisch-terrestrischen Schnittstelle.

Der Preis soll Freiräume für neue Forschungsideen schaffen und die wissenschaftliche Sichtbarkeit junger Talente stärken.

Bewerbungsschluss: 15. März 2026

Mehr Informationen in der Aussschreibung.

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News

WSA Travel Grant for Lisa Wolany

Lisa Wolany (University of Duisburg-Essen) joined the Diptera Symposium in Bavaria with support from the WSA Career Navigator Grant. The exchange between classical taxonomy and genetic methods gave valuable input for her PhD on Diptera responses to extreme weather.

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WSA empfiehlt 3 zentrale Anpassungen

Die WSA hat die Entwürfe der Koalitionsarbeits-gruppen mit großem Interesse wahrgenommen. Sie begrüßt ausdrücklich die klaren Bekenntnisse zum Forschungsstandort Deutschland, empfiehlt aber dringend drei zentrale Anpassungen in der Forschungs- bzw. Wasser- und Gewässerpolitik. Diese Aspekte sollten sich auch im finalen Koalitionsvertrag wiederfinden – denn Wasser und Binnengewässer sind für Deutschland zentrale, kritische und sicherheitsrelevante Ressourcen.

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Start of the new WSA Lecture Series

The WSA invites you to a special event on water research jointly organised with the Centre of Water and Environmental Research (ZWU) at the University of Duisburg-Essen. The programme opens with a keynote lecture by Prof. Dr. Christoph Donner (Berliner Wasserbetriebe) at 1:00 pm, accessible both on-site and via ZOOM. More program highlights and networking opportunities await on-site.

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Germany's Growing Climate Challenge

Germany is facing an alarming rise in severe flooding, with regions from North Rhine-Westphalia to Bavaria increasingly affected by extreme weather. As climate change intensifies, more frequent and intense floods put vulnerable areas at significant risk, underscoring the urgent need for resilient solutions to protect communities and infrastructure.

An article in the gwf was based on this interview. Read the full article: The growing challenge of flood management...

Read the full interview...

On the road to expertise: the electrofishing licence as the key to fish ecology

The aquatic world is vital for ecological balance, with fish playing a central role as indicators of water quality. Stefan Grosenick from the Aquatic Ecology working group at the University of Duisburg-Essen, who recently received the first WSA Career Navigator grant, is obtaining an electrofishing license to enhance his expertise and contribute to aquatic conservation.

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