research awards program
What Students Say about the Program

"Prior to the HRF award, I was working as an engineer and in school part-time. The award allowed me to be a full-time student and work on my master's thesis this past year. Being able to concentrate on my school work greatly improved my learning. The input and advice from those I met at HydroVision, on your board and within the hydropower community was essential for progression of my small hydropower related thesis project. I can't thank you enough for your investment in my education and future. I look forward to completing my degree and returning to the work world able to contribute to the hydro and power generation field."
-Kelly Kozdras, 2014 Researcher
-Kelly Kozdras, 2014 Researcher
About the Research Awards Program
The Hydropower Foundation, Inc. (Foundation) was leading the Hydro Research Awards Program that was designed to stimulate new student research and academic interest in research and careers in conventional or pumped storage hydropower. The awards were made possible by a grant from the Waterpower Technologies Office of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
The awards are designed to allow outstanding early-career researchers to facilitate research related to hydropower. Research undertaken by the Foundation and the researchers seeks to advance knowledge about hydroelectric technology, including efficiency improvements and environmental mitigation. Through this program the Foundation is promoting educational opportunities and information development related to hydropower. Innovation, creativity and forward-thinking research are encouraged.
The Foundation awarded 33 awards between 2014-2018 to students throughout the United States. Students were selected based on research vision, innovation, academic performance, potential for leadership and overall strength of their research proposal. Each award included the following:
The awards are designed to allow outstanding early-career researchers to facilitate research related to hydropower. Research undertaken by the Foundation and the researchers seeks to advance knowledge about hydroelectric technology, including efficiency improvements and environmental mitigation. Through this program the Foundation is promoting educational opportunities and information development related to hydropower. Innovation, creativity and forward-thinking research are encouraged.
The Foundation awarded 33 awards between 2014-2018 to students throughout the United States. Students were selected based on research vision, innovation, academic performance, potential for leadership and overall strength of their research proposal. Each award included the following:
- A living stipend of up to $18,000
- A tuition, fees and university-provided health insurance allowance of up to $10,000
- Travel costs to attend the Annual Hydro Fellows Roundtable each year the student is in the program.
- The student’s academic advisor for the research will be awarded $2,000 annually into a University discretionary account, for aiding in, and supervising the research. The advisor may also have the opportunity to attend HydroVision International held annually July.
- Each student may have the opportunity to participate in an internship with an industry partner. These internships may result in employment for the researcher. The potential topics eligible for an internships are listed in the 2016 Topics of Interest document.
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FOUNDATION PARTNERS |
FRIENDS OF THE FOUNDATION
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HOST UNIVERSITIES
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Research Advisors
Each student in the Research Awards Program is supported by an academic research adviser and an industry mentor. Thanks to these supporting mentors, each researcher has critical links to hydropower information, research, data and support.
David Ahlfield Dr. Brian Alford Dr. Amit Bandyopadhyay
University of Massachusetts-Amherst University of Tennessee Washington State University
Dr. Carl Bauer Dr. Jonathan Bird Dr. Ted Brekken
University of Arizona University of North Carolina- Charlotte Oregon State University
Dr. Raúl Bayoán Cal Duncan Calloway Hope Corsair
Portland State University University of California- Berkeley Oregon Institute of Technology
Dr. John Cimbala Dr. Martin Doyle Roy Haggerty
The Pennsylvania State University Duke University Oregon State University
Slav Hermanowicz Gabriela Hug Dr. Erkan Istanbulluoglu
University of California-Berkeley Carnegie Mellon University University of Washington
Dr. Shih-Chieh Kao Dr. Daniel Kirschen Dr. Bruce Krogh
University of Tennessee- Knoxville University of Washington Carnegie Mellon University
Dr. Eugene Lebouef Dr. Pierre Lermusiaux Dr. Mike Mooney
Vanderbilt University Massachusetts Institute of Technology Colorado School of Mines
Dr. Peter Nelson Dr. Alparsian Oztekin Roderic Parnell
Colorado State University Lehigh University Northern Arizona University
Dr. John Steele Dr. Daniele Tonina Dr. Kripa Varanasi
Colorado School of Mines University of Idaho Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Dr. Richard Vogel Dr. Aaron Wolf Dr. Elowyn Yager
Tufts University Oregon State University University of Idaho
Dr. K. Max Zhang
Cornell University
University of Massachusetts-Amherst University of Tennessee Washington State University
Dr. Carl Bauer Dr. Jonathan Bird Dr. Ted Brekken
University of Arizona University of North Carolina- Charlotte Oregon State University
Dr. Raúl Bayoán Cal Duncan Calloway Hope Corsair
Portland State University University of California- Berkeley Oregon Institute of Technology
Dr. John Cimbala Dr. Martin Doyle Roy Haggerty
The Pennsylvania State University Duke University Oregon State University
Slav Hermanowicz Gabriela Hug Dr. Erkan Istanbulluoglu
University of California-Berkeley Carnegie Mellon University University of Washington
Dr. Shih-Chieh Kao Dr. Daniel Kirschen Dr. Bruce Krogh
University of Tennessee- Knoxville University of Washington Carnegie Mellon University
Dr. Eugene Lebouef Dr. Pierre Lermusiaux Dr. Mike Mooney
Vanderbilt University Massachusetts Institute of Technology Colorado School of Mines
Dr. Peter Nelson Dr. Alparsian Oztekin Roderic Parnell
Colorado State University Lehigh University Northern Arizona University
Dr. John Steele Dr. Daniele Tonina Dr. Kripa Varanasi
Colorado School of Mines University of Idaho Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Dr. Richard Vogel Dr. Aaron Wolf Dr. Elowyn Yager
Tufts University Oregon State University University of Idaho
Dr. K. Max Zhang
Cornell University
Mentors
Steve Amaral Jay Anders Celeste Fay
Alden Laboratory Black and Veatch Alden Laboratory
Suzanne Grassell. Tim Magee Mark Morehead
Chelan County PUD CADSWES Idaho Power
Gerry Russell Lee Sheldon Allen Skaja
Weir American Hydro Oregon Institute of Technology United States Bureau of Reclamation
Brad Spangler Yetta Yager Edie Zagona
Snohomish County PUD Oak Ridge National Laboratory CADSWES
Steve Amaral Jay Anders Celeste Fay
Alden Laboratory Black and Veatch Alden Laboratory
Suzanne Grassell. Tim Magee Mark Morehead
Chelan County PUD CADSWES Idaho Power
Gerry Russell Lee Sheldon Allen Skaja
Weir American Hydro Oregon Institute of Technology United States Bureau of Reclamation
Brad Spangler Yetta Yager Edie Zagona
Snohomish County PUD Oak Ridge National Laboratory CADSWES