RFPs: Comparison of PFAS Contributions to Agricultural Systems Grant

Deadline: 26-Oct-26 The Water Research Foundation is offering a grant to support research comparing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) contributions from various agricultural inputs to inform risk management strategies. The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is offering a research grant to support studies comparing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) contributions from different agricultural inputs. The project aims to generate scientific data that can help utilities, farmers, regulators, and other stakeholders better understand PFAS sources in agricultural systems and develop informed risk management and policy strategies.

About the PFAS Agricultural Inputs Research Grant

Growing concern about human exposure to PFAS through biosolids and other agricultural inputs has increased the need for comprehensive scientific data. Regulatory actions and recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidance have highlighted gaps in available national data on PFAS concentrations in sewage sludge and the need to consider a wider range of agricultural sources.

Potential PFAS sources include:

- Biosolids. - Manures. - Composts. - Fertilizers. - Pesticides. - Seed coatings. - Irrigation water. - Atmospheric deposition. The research supported by this grant will help compare these sources and determine their relative contributions to PFAS levels in agricultural systems. How Much Funding Is Available? Applicants may request up to $400,000 in WRF funding. In addition to the WRF award, applicants must provide additional resources equivalent to at least 33% of the project award. Matching resources may be provided through: - Cost share. - Applicant in-kind contributions. - Third-party in-kind contributions. Applicants should clearly identify their proposed contributions and demonstrate how they will support the research project. Who Can Apply? The grant is open to both U.S.-based and non-U.S.-based entities.

Eligible applicants may include:

- Educational institutions. - Research organisations. - Governmental agencies. - Consultants. - For-profit entities. - Other organisations with the appropriate research capabilities. Applicants should demonstrate the technical and organisational capacity required to conduct the proposed PFAS research. Research Objectives The project is intended to generate a comprehensive understanding of PFAS contributions from agricultural inputs.

Research should address:

- PFAS concentrations in different agricultural inputs. - The impacts of different inputs on soil PFAS levels over time. - The fate and transport of PFAS at the field scale. - The relative contribution of biosolids-based products compared with other agricultural inputs. - PFAS composition in soil and plant tissue. - Environmental and management factors affecting PFAS fate and transport. The research should provide information that can be applied to agricultural risk management and policy development. Agricultural PFAS Sources A key objective is to move beyond a focus on biosolids alone and examine a broader range of potential agricultural PFAS sources. The study may consider how PFAS enters agricultural systems through: - Biosolids-based products. - Animal manures. - Compost. - Commercial fertilizers. - Pesticides. - Seed coatings. - Irrigation water. - Atmospheric deposition. Comparing these sources can help determine their relative significance and improve understanding of PFAS exposure pathways. PFAS Fate and Transport The research should evaluate how PFAS behaves after entering agricultural systems.

This includes examining:

- PFAS movement through soil. - Changes in PFAS concentrations over time. - PFAS mobility at the field scale. - PFAS accumulation in soil. - PFAS presence in plant tissue. - Environmental conditions affecting PFAS movement. - Agricultural management practices that influence PFAS fate and transport. The study should consider the conditions that may increase or decrease PFAS mobility and persistence. Research Methodology The proposed research approach should combine existing scientific information with field-based data collection and analysis.

Key activities include:

- Conducting a comprehensive literature review. - Evaluating existing analytical methods. - Reviewing available PFAS data. - Measuring compound-specific PFAS concentrations in agricultural inputs. - Conducting field sampling. - Analysing PFAS contributions from different sources. - Characterising PFAS composition in soil and plant tissue. - Evaluating PFAS fate and transport. The methodology should be designed to generate reliable and comparable information across different agricultural inputs and conditions. Literature Review and Data Evaluation The research should begin by reviewing existing knowledge on PFAS in agricultural systems. The literature and data review should help identify: - Existing PFAS concentration data. - Important agricultural sources. - Gaps in current research. - Differences in analytical methods. - Available evidence on PFAS mobility. - Areas requiring additional field research. The findings should help establish a strong scientific basis for the project’s field and laboratory activities. Field Sampling and Analysis Field-based research should be used to characterise PFAS contributions under relevant agricultural conditions.

The study design should consider:

- PFAS concentrations in agricultural inputs. - Soil PFAS composition. - Plant tissue PFAS composition. - Changes in concentrations over time. - Differences between agricultural inputs. - Environmental conditions. - Agricultural management practices. - PFAS mobility and transport. The research should also test hypotheses related to PFAS sources, movement, and persistence. Risk Management and Policy Relevance The project is intended to produce information that can support practical decision making.

Research findings should help:

- Utilities understand PFAS contributions from biosolids and other inputs. - Farmers assess potential PFAS sources affecting