Research opens new windows of opportunity to better understand our water challenges and develop solutions for the future.At Aquafondo, together with the Ministry of the Environment (MINAM), the National Institute for Research on Glaciers and Mountain Ecosystems (INAIGEM), and UNESCO’s Ecohydrology Programme, we are pleased to announce the three researchers selected for the second edition of the 2026 Water Challenges Research Grant Program.
In this second edition, we invited undergraduate and graduate students, as well as university graduates from across Peru, to participate and received outstanding research proposals from different regions of the country.This participation reflects the growing interest among young researchers in understanding the water challenges facing our territory and contributing to the development of solutions through science.
Through this initiative, we promote applied research at the Carhuayumac Micro-Watershed Ecohydrology Demonstration Site, located in San Pedro de Casta, Huarochirí.
Recognized by UNESCO’s Ecohydrology Programme, this site provides an opportunity to bring research closer to local communities and ecosystems, generating new knowledge about the ecosystems and water resources of the Santa Eulalia sub-watershed.
Our goal is for this knowledge to generate evidence that informs investment decisions in Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) and natural infrastructure, while strengthening water security in Lima and Callao.
The announcement of the selected researchers brought together representatives from the institutions and organizations that make this initiative possible.
We were joined by Mariella Sánchez Guerra, Executive Director of Aquafondo; José Luis Álvarez Ramos, Director of the General Directorate of Environmental Education, Citizenship, and Information at the Ministry of the Environment (MINAM); Alberto Castañeda Barreto, specialist at INAIGEM; and Paola Martínez, representative of the University of Engineering and Technology (UTEC).
Meet the Selected Researchers
Mario Anderson Apaza Ñaupa and Samantha Isabel Mayta Flores
National University of the Altiplano
Project: Quantification and Economic Valuation of the Water Regulation Ecosystem Service Provided by Natural Infrastructure in the Carhuayumac Micro-Watershed Using Remote Sensing and Machine Learning (San Pedro de Casta, Huarochirí, Lima).
Their research will combine satellite remote sensing and artificial intelligence to quantify, model, and economically value the water regulation ecosystem services provided by the Carhuayumac micro-watershed.
The findings will provide evidence to support investment decisions in natural infrastructure within the Rímac River basin, while highlighting the valuable contribution of ecosystems to water security.
Joana Jerusalén Castro Camacho
Bioengineering — University of Engineering and Technology (UTEC)
Project: Low-Cost Modular System for Monitoring Water Levels in Mountain Ecosystems, Adapted from the HuaycoSense Prototype.
Their research will adapt, install, and validate a continuous water level monitoring system at the Ecohydrology Demonstration Site, using the HuaycoSense prototype as its foundation.
The tool will enable the collection of real-time hydrological data and help monitor critical variations in water flow in high-altitude mountain ecosystems, strengthening the availability of information for water-related risk management.
Science That Informs Decision-Making
For Aquafondo, promoting research means building bridges between science, local communities and ecosystems, and decision-making.
The water challenges we face require information and scientific evidence to better understand how our ecosystems function, the benefits they provide, and the solutions that can be implemented to protect them.
That is why we work to ensure that research conducted through this initiative goes beyond academia and becomes a valuable resource for researchers, water resource managers, and decision-makers.
The three selected researchers will commit to carrying out their research proposals, generating results, and sharing the knowledge gained throughout the process.
An Opportunity to Strengthen Capacities
The Water Challenges Research Grant Program offers young researchers a valuable opportunity to develop their projects in a unique setting for applied research in mountain ecosystems.
Throughout the process, the selected researchers will receive specialized technical guidance and support from Aquafondo, MINAM, and INAIGEM, as well as institutional backing to seek additional funding.
Furthermore, their research findings may be shared through the communication channels of the organizing institutions.
We also recognize the important role of the faculty members who supported the research applications. Their guidance is essential to strengthening the capacities of those beginning or advancing their research careers and connecting the knowledge generated by universities with the needs of our local communities and territories.
What’s Next
The selected projects will begin implementation in September 2026 and will run for up to 15 months, with technical guidance from our specialized teams, alongside professionals from MINAM and INAIGEM.
During this period, we will support the researchers in carrying out their projects and generating findings that contribute to expanding our understanding of water resources and ecosystems in the Santa Eulalia sub-watershed.
About the Research Grant Program
The Water Challenges Research Grant Program is an initiative led by Aquafondo, in partnership with MINAM, INAIGEM, and UNESCO’s Ecohydrology Programme, to promote research that generates applied knowledge about water resources in the Santa Eulalia sub-watershed.
In this second edition, we aim to expand the community of researchers committed to water sustainability in Lima and encourage fresh perspectives, innovative tools, and new solutions to address the water challenges facing our region.
We congratulate Mario, Samantha, and Joana on this achievement and extend our sincere thanks to all the students, graduates, faculty members, and universities that participated in this call for proposals.
At Aquafondo, we will continue supporting this process to ensure that the knowledge generated within our communities and territories contributes to developing solutions and building a future with greater water security.
