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Global Prize for Innovation in Water 2026 (GPIW 2026)
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Publish Date 10/13/2026 Application Deadline 10/15/2026 Opportunity Type Competitions Publisher Foras Khadra Available Countries All World, The Arab World, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Djibouti, Somalia, Comoros Description

The Global Prize for Innovation in Water 2026 is an international competition designed to discover and support innovative solutions that address global water challenges and improve water resource management. The competition focuses on developing practical technologies and solutions in areas such as water desalination, wastewater treatment and reuse, water conservation, environmental sustainability, and the use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in water management systems.

The competition targets researchers, innovators, individuals, research teams, universities, startups, and organizations with ideas or technologies that have the potential for further development and real-world implementation. Applicants are required to submit proposals explaining the originality of their innovations, their technical value, their expected impact, and their potential for practical application. The competition offers cash prizes to winners, along with opportunities to test and develop their solutions, benefit from incubation programs, and connect with experts and organizations working in the water sector.
Details
  • Total Prize Pool: A total of USD 800,000 has been announced.
  • Grand Prize: USD 100,000 per winner.
  • Impact Medal Awards: USD 50,000 per winner.
  • Application Fee: Free.
  • Application Language: English.
  • Application Method: Online through the InnoCentive platform.
  • Required Documents: Application form, detailed solution description, project presentation, a two-minute introductory video, and supporting documents where necessary.
  • Competition Areas: Water production and desalination, water recovery and reuse, water efficiency and conservation, smart water management, environmental sustainability, and wastewater treatment.
  • Technology Readiness Levels: The main prize categories target solutions at early and intermediate technology readiness levels, with special recognition categories for advanced and market-ready solutions.
Eligibility Criteria
  • Applicants may be individuals, teams, researchers, research groups, startups, established companies, non-governmental organizations, or academic teams.
  • The proposed solution or innovation must be related to the water sector and fall within one of the six competition areas.
  • The proposal must clearly demonstrate the innovation's originality, technical value, and expected impact.
  • Applicants must provide clear information about their solutions, technology readiness levels, and potential for testing, implementation, or scaling.
  • Applicants must own or hold the necessary intellectual property rights or licenses for the technologies and resources included in their proposals.
  • Applications and all required documents must be submitted in English.
  • Applicants must provide a project presentation and a two-minute introductory video in accordance with the specified requirements.
  • Each applicant may submit a maximum of three applications, subject to the competition rules.
  • Applicants must review and accept the challenge agreement before submitting their proposals.
  • Applications must be submitted before the official deadline.
  • The announcement does not specify a particular nationality or country restriction. It also does not establish a minimum or maximum age or a mandatory educational qualification.
  • Individuals with employment, financial, or other relationships with the organizing entities that constitute a conflict of interest under the competition rules are not eligible to receive prizes.
  • All applications are subject to evaluation by the judging panel. Submitting an application does not guarantee winning a prize.
Opportunity Benefits
  • Cash Prizes: The opportunity to win a share of the announced total prize pool of USD 800,000.
  • Grand Prize: Eligible winners in the main categories can receive USD 100,000.
  • Impact Medal Awards: The opportunity to receive USD 50,000 per winner in this category.
  • Testing and Development Support: Potential support for testing and further developing winning solutions, subject to the program's conditions.
  • Incubation and Acceleration: Opportunities to benefit from innovation incubation and acceleration programs.
  • Technical Support: Shortlisted applicants may gain access to the services and resources of the Saudi Water Innovation Center.
  • Professional Networking: Opportunities to connect with experts, researchers, companies, and organizations specializing in the water sector.
  • International Exposure: The opportunity to present innovations to an international judging panel and increase the project's visibility.
  • Awards Ceremony: The opportunity to attend the winners' recognition ceremony in Saudi Arabia.
  • Travel and Accommodation: Travel expenses for one representative of each winning technology, hotel accommodation, and local transportation after arrival in Jeddah are covered, subject to the announced conditions.
  • Visa Support: The organizers provide supporting documents for visa applications; however, visa fees themselves are not covered.
  • Intellectual Property Protection: Applicants retain the rights to their proposals and technologies in accordance with the competition agreement. Submitting an initial application does not require transferring ownership of the innovation to the organizers.