The CMAHC works with public health officials, aquatics sector professionals, and academic experts to develop, prioritize, and find funding solutions for research needed to improve the MAHC. The research agenda is prioritized based on the ability to obtain achievable results and quick wins to improve the MAHC. The resulting MAHC research agenda is prioritized into three tiers (short, medium, or long-term) of research projects based on how long it may take to gather results and effect change in the MAHC.

Some CMAHC Committees may identify research gaps that require the Committee to develop a research plan and seek external funding to fill the identified data gap. Under these circumstances, the CMAHC’s indirect cost rate (budgeted indirect costs/budgeted total direct costs) that will be awarded in a grant or contract budget is set at a maximum of 10%. Externally-raised funds administered by the CMAHC are assessed a 3% administrative cost to cover internal CMAHC costs.

The Indoor Air Quality Study is an ongoing research project between the CMAHC’s Committee for Indoor Aquatic Facility Ventilation Design and Air Quality and Purdue University that focuses on developing a mathematical model which will identify the connections between indoor air quality, pool design, and pool operations. The results of the research will help the aquatics industry understand and better address real-world design and operational issues to enable safer air quality measurements for swimmers, patrons, and aquatic staff.