IWC has a broad and deep research capability for integrated water management. The university partners include leading water industry researchers in the diversity of fields required to answer the key questions facing the industry. The research partners collaborate bringing the biophysical sciences and social and economic disciplines together to inform policy making.

The key focus for IWC is the integration of knowledge about the water cycle and developing new understandings leading to more sustainable outcomes.

The IWC Research Vision

IWC aims to build new knowledge and understanding towards better integrated management of water resources and waterways, through creative partnerships and innovative applied research, with a focus on the needs of developing countries.
IWC aims to take a lead role in ranking catchments through a 'global scorecard', an accounting system across catchments globally. This portfolio will assist potential donors and lenders in prioritising resources to protect, restore and manage water resources and waterways, especially in developing countries. 

The IWC Research Vision and Strategies are articulated in the IWC Strategic Research Framework, a document developed in conjunction with member universities in 2007.

Research Principles

IWC’s applied research activities contribute towards the achievement of IWC's vision to become an international leader in building capacity for water management within the next decade. Specifically, research activities strengthen and build on IWC's education and training programs. In prioritising research activities, IWC aims to:

•    Tackle  complex and relevant issues.  Research will focus on addressing complex problems that require integrated, interdisciplinary and whole-of-systems approaches.
•    Build on our partners' capabilities.  Research activities will draw on the member university strengths in whole-of-water cycle interdisciplinary research to tackle research questions of greater complexity and scales.
•    Foster collaboration and partnerships.  Research activities will not only encourage existing research partnerships, but also form new research partnerships with an emphasis on international collaboration.
•    Make a difference.  Research activities will have measurable impacts and contributions towards better management of water.