Advancing Water Prediction and Management Through CIROH's Collaborative Research to Operations Framework

Established in 2017, the Alabama Water Institute (AWI) is a national hub for water-related research, innovation, and education. AWI is driven by its core research entities—the NOAA Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology (CIROH), the Global Water Security Center (GWSC), and the CONSERVE Research Group—and benefits from robust collaborations, including partnerships with on-campus federal operational entities such as NOAA and the U.S. Geological Survey. CIROH, a consortium of 28 academic and commercial institutions, is dedicated to enhancing NOAA’s operational water prediction capabilities through use-inspired research, developed in close partnership with NOAA’s Office of Water Prediction (OWP). Beyond research, CIROH also plays a crucial role in training the next generation of water resources scientists and engineers, equipping them to address the grand challenges of the 21st century. With over 130 active research projects across 25 states and the involvement of more than 150 faculty and research staff, CIROH places a high priority on the continuous refinement of strategies and practices to effectively bridge the gap between research and operations. This presentation will delve into CIROH’s comprehensive approach to Research to Operations (R2O), from the "first mile" of idea generation to the "last mile" of implementation. It will highlight key initiatives such as research co-creation programs, policy development and alignment, and the support of co-production research practices, among others—all aimed at ensuring the successful transition of research into operational applications.