The global threat to freshwater biodiversity and the urgency to protect and restore river ecosystems and their tropical riparian forests is notorious. The scientific community cannot face these pressing environmental challenges alone. The Tropical Water Research Alliance (TWRA) is a partnership between academic institutions (public and private) from Brazil and Australia, which seeks to promote an integrated approach to water research and management, drawing on the shared experiences of both countries. The TWRA brings together over two hundred researchers from over 60 universities in Brazil and Australia. It aims to: coordinate, plan, and organize scientific missions, workshops and symposia; support staff and student exchange visits; promote and support joint supervision of higher degree research students; and develop collaborative research projects. The TWRA also seeks to strengthen links with public authorities, industry, and civil society to ensure that research activities meet societal needs. The TWRA in Brazil in a bottom-up format led to the founding of a Non-Profit Social Organization on October 06, 2020. Fifteen regional headquarters were set up following Brazilian States: AL, BA, RN, PB, RO, PA, DF, GO, ES, MG, RJ, SP, PR, SC, and RS. Our presentation will show the scientific structure and an example of a significant proposal involving the academy, government, and private sector.