Chicago’s Current receives $45M from NSF to expand Great Lakes wastewater innovation Initiative

Chicago-based Current has received a $45 million National Science Foundation grant to scale its RENEW initiative, advancing circular water economy solutions across Illinois and the Great Lakes region. The funding will support research and commercialization efforts with partners including Argonne National Laboratory, the University of Chicago, and Northwestern University, focused on recovering energy, nutrients, and critical materials from wastewater. Projects include PFAS-detecting sensors and reusable sponge-based systems for oil absorption and fertilizer recovery. Building on a prior $160 million NSF award in 2024, the initiative aims to position the region as a