Montana State researchers lead $6 million food-energy-water nexus program for Upper Missouri River Basin

In Montana, a regional interdisciplinary team led by Montana State University has received $6 million to develop new innovations at the intersection of food, energy and water systems while training the next generation of scientists.

The four-year grant from the National Science Foundation will allow MSU, the University of Wyoming and the University of South Dakota to coordinate a massive effort to address questions about whether biofuels and carbon capture technologies can be sustainably introduced into the Upper Missouri River Basin.

The main project goal is to develop a framework for evaluating proposals to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations — the leading contributor to climate change — while maintaining food security, water quality, biodiversity and other benefits.