August 2008
Energy–Water Nexus. Why Should
the Corps Care?
2008-VSP-01

Throughout its history, the Institute for Water Resources (IWR) has invited preeminent water resources
academicians and practitioners to take up residence at the Institute to foster scholarly exchange. At any
given time, IWR frequently has faculty from universities spending time in residence at the Institute. Both
IWR and the Corps benefit from such faculty engaging in ongoing water resources studies and research
on a reimbursable basis. Visiting scholars are expected to help infuse new energy and ideas to the IWR
program, while the practical work environment at IWR and/or the Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC)
provides a stimulating context for mutual exploration of potential advances in hydrologic engineering and
planning analysis. Such experiences have proven to be intellectually invigorating for both the Institute staff
and the visitors themselves.
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Science and Technology Policy Fellows Program
Through the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science and Technology Policy Fellows
Program, IWR sponsors post-doctoral and senior fellows to work on water resource policy issues such as analyzing
the linkages between water resources development and water resources problems (e.g. drought, floods) and the
economies of developing nations. Individuals with a systems engineering, economics, public participation or water
resources background are especially encouraged to apply. This highly selective fellowship program gives scientists and
engineers a real-world introduction to how science interacts with policy in Washington.
Leo R. Beard Visiting Scholar Program
For many years, the Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC) has invited prominent hydrologic and hydraulic
professionals to take up residence at HEC in Davis, CA to foster scholarly exchange. Faculty from a number of
universities have spent some of their sabbatical with HEC and on occasion HEC has also had prominent engineers
from other agencies join the Center in the same capacity. The experience and the exchange of ideas that these
scholars bring to HEC have proven to be intellectually satisfying and productive for both HEC staff and the visitors
themselves. Such scholars in residence are known as "Leo R. Beard Visiting Scholars."
Maass-White Visiting Scholar Fellowship
The Maass-White Visiting Scholar Fellowship is designed to ensure that today’s water resources challenges benefit
from innovative thinking of the nation’s top academics, and to promote a deeper understanding of real-world water
resource problems by those in academia. The fellowship honors the late Arthur Maass and Gilbert F. White–two
scholars who had a revolutionary impact on the practice of water resources planning and management.
National Research Council Research Associateship Program
Through the National Research Council (NRC) Research Associateship Program, IWR sponsors postdoctoral and
senior research awards to conduct relevant research for one to two years at one of IWR's locations. Fellowships are
given for the purpose of conducting research (chosen by the doctoral level scientists and engineers) to apply their
special knowledge and research talents to areas that are of interest to them and to the host laboratories and centers.
UCOWR Water Resources Fellowship
The Universities Council on Water Resources (UCOWR) and IWR developed a visiting scholar program in 2003.
The program invites academicians to the Institute to focus on emerging water resource issues of relevance to the civil
works mission. While on sabbatical these scholars are expected to perform applied, policy-relevant research to
extend the Corps of Engineers knowledge of and thinking about emerging water resources needs and issues.
UCOWR Fellows, chosen via a UCOWR/Corps panel, are university professors who have substantial applied
experience in water resources planning and management, as well as strong teaching credentials.