J-WAFS Grant for Water and Food Projects in India

Proposals for 2025 were due October 31, 2024. Check this page at a later date for the next RFP.

The J-WAFS Grant for Water and Food Projects in India is a funding opportunity for current members of the MIT community interested in addressing a water or food-related challenge in India. 

Applicants may request up to $15,000 in funding.  Typically one to three grants are awarded, based on proposals.  The grants are intended to further work being pursued by individuals as part of their MIT research, innovation and entrepreneurship, coursework, or related activities.  Support for teams is also be considered, though at least 50% of the team must be from MIT.  

The grant is for development projects or projects benefiting low-income populations. Examples of relevant challenges may include but are not limited to:

  • Economically appropriate water purification technologies, esp. for rural areas
  • Water distribution and management strategies, esp. for rural areas
  • Other water quality issues, e.g. sanitation, monitoring, etc.
  • Food safety issues
  • Food preservation and waste reduction
  • Water for agriculture, especially smallholder farms
  • Agricultural innovations and improvements

Eligibility: Faculty members, full and part time research staff with staff appointments, currently registered MIT graduate and undergraduate students, or small teams with at least 50% MIT participation and an eligible individual in the leadership role can be considered for funding.  Grants can be used over the course of up to one year to support travel, technology pilots, scale-up studies, community outreach and education, etc.  Funds may not be used for MIT equipment purchases.  

Click below to view the 2024 request for proposals (RFP).

Projects

9 results