Riverine Community Resilience Challenge II | RISE Resilience Innovations

RIVERINE COMMUNITY RESILIENCE CHALLENGE II

$1 Million for Flood Resilience Innovations in Western Virginia

As storms grow more frequent and intense, riverine communities face an urgent threat from fast-moving  floods that can upend lives in an instant. Expanding on our first Riverine Community Resilience Challenge, we’re awarding up to $1 million toward innovative solutions that enhance pre- and post-disaster protection for vulnerable communities in western Virginia.

THE CHALLENGE

Be the solution for vulnerable flood-prone riverine communities

Severe storms and flash floods have repeatedly devastated Southwest Virginia’s riverine communities. Our first Riverine Community Resilience Challenge highlighted the destruction in Hurley, Whitewood, and Pilgrim’s Knob. Since then, major storms, including a deadly flash flood in late 2024 and Hurricane Helene, have caused widespread damage across Buchanan, Dickenson, and Tazewell counties, washing out roads, destroying homes, and compounding economic hardship.

Most recently, catastrophic flooding in February 2025 once again exposed the region’s vulnerability. In Buchanan County, unprecedented flood levels in Grundy and Hurley caused major infrastructure damage and required over 150 swiftwater rescues. In Tazewell County, rising waters forced the evacuation of 60 residents near the Clinch River. Many homes remain damaged or inaccessible, with recovery efforts ongoing.

This Challenge expands testbed opportunities across the Southwest, Northwest, and Roanoke Valley regions of Virginia, giving innovators a chance to develop and validate solutions in real-world conditions. By ensuring scalability across diverse environments, this effort helps turn today’s flooding threats into sustainable, replicable models for long-term resilience.

Is Your Business Ready To Apply?

Take our screener and fill out just a few short questions to find out!

From 2000-2018 water-related disasters led to 326,000+ fatalities & economic losses over $1.7 trillion

Challenge Topics

The RISE Riverine Community Resilience Challenge II seeks innovative solutions for strengthening flood resilience, to be deployed and tested across Southwest Virginia and the Middle Peninsula. This year’s challenge focuses on five key areas:

Topic Areas

Flood Event Early Warning
Landscape and Building Adaptation
Community Insurance Program
Riverine Community Resilience Product Integration
Business Recovery After a Riverine Flooding Event
Ready to go?
Apply Now

Join Our Weekly Challenge Webinars

Learn more about the application process and hear from industry experts!

April 7, 2025 | 12:30pm

Webinar 1

Paul Robinson, Executive Director of RISE

Join us for an overview of the Riverine Challenge, topic areas and insights on the application process.

TBD

Webinar 2

Subject Matter Expert Panel

Hear from subject matter experts & participate in a live Q&A!

April 28, 2025 | 12:30pm

Webinar 3

Paul Robinson, Executive Director of RISE

TBD

2025 Riverine Community Resilience Challenge

Eligibility

  • You have to be a business entity.
  • Your business has to be able to deploy your solution in the Blue Ridge region of Virginia, either by yourselves or by hiring a local partner.
  • Your solution has to be at the prototype stage or later.
  • Must be able to execute a grant agreement by June 6, 2025.
  • Must be able to complete a proposed project by June 2026. 
  • Finalists will be required to register with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC).

Awards

Resilience Innovation Fund

Applicants can apply for up to $300,000 in non-dilutive grant and revenue-based loan funding

Resilience Innovation Accelerator

The Selection Committee may recommend making the award (or a portion of it) contingent upon refinement of a business plan and/or work plan. In such case, the winners may be required to participate in a Resilience Innovation Accelerator. Each winner will receive up to $10,000 for their participation.

Resilience Innovation Hub & Testbed

In addition to funding, the winners will also gain access to a suite of benefits including:

  • Assistance with securing real-world pilot sites in the Northwest or Southwest region of Virginia 
  • Feedback from government pilot hosts 
  • Datasets
  • Government, technical, and business mentors 
  • PR opportunities and media visibility
  • Regulatory assistance with government funding
  • Introductions to potential investors and customers
  • Customized business accelerator curriculum 
  • The only ecosystem of coastal resilience entrepreneurs in the U.S.

Timeline

* All dates are subject to change

March 28

Challenge Launch

April

Informational Webinars

May 5

Application submission deadline.

May 7

Finalists Selected

May 25

Winners Announced

Ready to go?
Apply Now
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to make a difference?

Apply now to submit your plan for making an impact on these pressing resilience threats in Southwest Virginia.