Call for Nominations: Global Prize for Innovation in Water

Deadline: 30-Sep-2026

The Global Prize for Innovation in Water (GPIW) invites innovators, researchers, universities, research teams, and specialized institutions worldwide to submit groundbreaking solutions to major water-sector challenges. The competition covers six areas, including desalination, water reclamation, water conservation, digital water management, environmental sustainability, and accessible wastewater solutions, with winners receiving monetary awards and potential opportunities to pilot their technologies in Saudi Arabia. What Is the Global Prize for Innovation in Water? The Global Prize for Innovation in Water (GPIW) is an international innovation competition established by the Saudi Water Authority to identify, recognize, and accelerate transformative solutions for the global water sector. Established in 2023, the prize provides a platform for innovators and institutions developing technologies that can improve water sustainability, efficiency, resource management, and access. The competition is designed to move promising water technologies beyond research and development toward practical application, demonstration, and potential scale-up. What Does the Global Prize for Innovation in Water Support? GPIW focuses on major challenges affecting water security and sustainable water management. The competition has six main categories covering different parts of the water innovation ecosystem: This category focuses on wastewater technologies that can expand access to safe, effective, and affordable wastewater management.

Solutions can address:

Wastewater treatment. Decentralized treatment. Low-cost sanitation systems. Safe wastewater reuse. Treatment efficiency. Access to wastewater services. Who Can Apply? The Global Prize for Innovation in Water is open internationally.

Potential applicants include:

Individuals. Research teams. Universities. Researchers and innovators. Specialized institutions. Organizations developing water-sector technologies and solutions. Applicants can come from different professional and institutional backgrounds, provided their innovation is relevant to one of the GPIW categories. The competition is therefore not restricted to a particular nationality or geographic region. What Types of Innovation Are Suitable? Strong submissions should demonstrate an innovative approach to a significant water-sector challenge. A suitable project should generally demonstrate: A clearly defined water-related problem. An innovative technological or practical solution. Scientific or technical credibility. Potential for measurable impact. Relevance to one of the six GPIW categories. Potential for practical implementation. Potential for wider adoption or scaling. Solutions that can demonstrate real-world application and meaningful improvements in water sustainability, efficiency, accessibility, or resource management may be particularly relevant. Why the Global Prize for Innovation in Water Matters Water scarcity, climate change, population growth, pollution, and increasing demand for water services are creating complex challenges worldwide. Innovation can help address these challenges by improving how water is produced, treated, reused, distributed, monitored, and conserved. The GPIW is important because it connects water innovation, scientific research, technology development, commercialization, and practical implementation. The prize can also help promising solutions move from laboratory or demonstration stages toward real-world deployment. What Do Winners Receive? GPIW winners receive monetary awards as part of the competition. Selected innovators may also receive opportunities to pilot their technologies through advanced testing facilities in Saudi Arabia. Failing to explain measurable environmental or water-sector benefits. Submitting incomplete information. Key Facts at a Glance

Prize: Global Prize for Innovation in Water (GPIW)

Established by: Saudi Water Authority

Established: 2023

Geographic scope: Global

Eligible applicants: Individuals, research teams, universities, researchers, innovators, and specialized institutions

Focus: Water innovation and transformative water-sector solutions

Categories: 6

Key areas: Desalination, water reclamation, conservation, digitalization, environmental sustainability, and wastewater

Awards: Monetary prizes

Additional opportunity: Potential technology piloting in Saudi Arabia

Winner announcement: December 14, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions What is the Global Prize for Innovation in Water? The Global Prize for Innovation in Water is an international competition established by the Saudi Water Authority to recognize and advance innovative technologies and solutions addressing major challenges in the water sector. Who can apply for the GPIW? Individuals, research teams, universities, researchers, innovators, and specialized institutions from around the world can submit eligible water-sector innovations. What are the six GPIW categories? The six categories cover advanced water production and desalination, water reclamation and circular economy, water efficiency and conservation, digitalization and smart management, environmental sustainability, and accessible wastewater solutions. Can universities and research teams apply? Yes. Universities and research teams developing relevant and innovative water-sector solutions are among the types of applicants eligible to participate. What do GPIW winners receive? Winners receive monetary awards and may have opportunities to pilot their technologies in advanced testing facilities in Saudi Arabia. Selected projects may also gain opportunities for technical collaboration, further development, and scaling. When will the winners be announced? The competition is scheduled to announce its winners on December 14, 2026, following scientific and technical review, shortlisting, finalist coordination, and final selection. What makes a strong GPIW submission? A strong submission should clearly identify a sig