Need

Innocentive is delighted to announce that the Global Prize for Innovation in Water (GPIW) has launched a new edition for 2026.

Water scarcity is one of the defining global challenges of our time. Meeting it requires breakthroughs across the entire water value chain: from how water is produced and treated, to how it is reused, converted, monitored, and protected. The GPIW exists to surface, reward, and accelerate the technologies and people that can and have made a measurable difference to the sector. Apply with your technology, approach, organization, or outcome in the water sector to showcase your successes to a worldwide audience!

This is the fourth annual edition of the Global Prize, and Solvers can win from a pool of $800,000 USD:

• $100,000 USD - for two Grand Prize award winners, one for TRL 1-3 submissions and one for TRL 4-7 submissions
• $50,000 USD - for 12 Impact Medal award winners, 6 for TRL 1-3 submissions and 6 for TRL 4-7 submissions
• Honorable Mention recognitions for TRL 8-9 and market-ready submissions

Beyond direct awards, there is considerable support, resources, and networking opportunities offered by the SWA and GPIW to awarded and recognized Solvers, with up to $250,000 in piloting support for Grand Prize winners and selected Impact Medal winners allocated to this year's programme.

We invite individual Solvers, teams, research groups, start-ups, accelerators, and organizations to apply, for the chance to win cash awards, global recognition, an invitation to an exclusive event in Saudi Arabia, and continued support from a leading water authority.

Prize/IP

Solvers will retain all rights to any proposal submitted. Following the piloting period, the GPIW may open discussions with awarded winners to discuss IP and further rights, however this is not a part of this initial application.

The best solutions have the opportunity to win up to $100,000 for meeting enough of the GPIW's application criteria.

The Challenge requires a written proposal, a pitch video, and supporting documentation to be submitted and Awards will be contingent upon the theoretical evaluation of the proposal by the GPIW.

Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (Arabian Standard Time, UTC+3hrs) on September 30th, 2026.

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Seeker/Eligibility

The Global Prize for Innovation in Water (GPIW) is the largest of its kind in the world. It was launched in 2023 as an initiative by the Saudi Water Authority, reaffirming the Kingdom's pioneering role in promoting research, fostering innovation, and adopting new breakthroughs in the water sector. The prize aims to honor participants and support pioneers from around the globe.

Individuals without affiliation, researchers/research groups, start-ups and scale-ups, enterprise companies, NGOs, and academics or university teams are welcome to apply. Companies can participate even if they have already received funding, and researchers can participate even if they have already published.

As of the date of submission, each applicant must own, or hold appropriate license rights to all technologies, methods, resources, and Intellectual Property (IP) included in your submission.

Previous winners of cash prizes in the GPIW/GPID will not be awarded again, but are welcome to take part in higher TRL 'Special Mention' prize categories.

Solvers who work for, are associated with, or have financial links to the Global Prize for Innovation in Water (GPIW), Saudi Water Authority (SWA), or Water Technology Innovation Institute and Research Advancement (WTIIRA) are not eligible to receive awards for this Challenge.

Challenge

Background

Water is the defining challenge of our generation, with over 2bn people worldwide still lacking access to safe drinking water. There are estimates of a 20-30% rise in global water demand by 2050, and addressing access, quality, and improvement for global water demands large-scale support and investment.

The Global Prize for Innovation in Water (GPIW) is an initiative aimed to recognize and reward those making significant contributions to the field of water and inspire others to join us in our mission to find sustainable water solutions. Now in its 4th year, and with $2m+ awarded across past editions to 35 winners, the GPIW is running an open call for global innovations across the full water value chain.

Beyond monetary Prizes, GPIW awardees gain entry to an accelerator program and access to piloting facilities provided by SWA or other partners, amplifying the impact of their innovations. All shortlisted Solvers will be given access to Saudi Water Innovation Center (SWIC) services and resources - an incubation program with a leading venture capital firm in water. This will help to supercharge Solver's technologies, solutions, and water technology programs as well as directly connecting you to decision makers across academia, industry, and private ventures.

The GPIW 2026 will award 2 Grand Prizes and 12 Impact Medals: 1 Grand Prize and 6 Medals for TRL 1-3 submissions, and 1 Grand Prize and 6 Medals for the TRL 4-7 submissions. Each Grand Prize is valued at $100,000, and each Impact Medal at $50,000.

The Special Mentions that will be announced for TRL 8-9 & Market-Ready proposals are not accorded formal prize money, but there are unique cash prizes and networking opportunities available as well as special recognition at the award event. There are up to 6 recipients of Special Mention recognitions in the GPIW 2026.

The Challenge

GPIW 2026 is seeking innovations across six priority categories. Solvers should apply under the category that best fits their solution:

1. Advanced Water Production and Desalination Technologies — Breakthrough technologies that improve the production of potable and industrial water through desalination and advanced treatment. Includes innovations that enhance efficiency, reduce energy consumption, improve membrane-based processes, increase water quality, or enable the use of unconventional water sources.
2. Water Reclamation, Circular Economy, and Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) — Solutions that recover, reuse, and circulate water, brine, and valuable resources within industrial, municipal, or commercial systems. Emphasises closed-loop approaches, resource recovery, and ZLD strategies that minimise waste and maximise water reuse.
3. Water Efficiency, Conservation, and Consumption Management — Technologies, systems, and programmes that reduce water demand and optimise consumption across residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural sectors. Includes water-saving devices, leak reduction, and demand management.
4. Digitalization, Automation, and Smart Water Management — Digital technologies that improve monitoring, operation, control, and decision-making in water systems. Includes AI, IoT, digital twins, predictive analytics, smart metering, autonomous operations, and data-driven asset management.
5. Environmental Sustainability and Water Resource Conservation — Solutions that protect water resources and ecosystems through sustainable practices and nature-based approaches. Includes watershed protection, groundwater preservation, pollution reduction, ecosystem restoration, climate resilience, and sustainable resource management.
6. Accessible and Cost-Effective Wastewater Solutions — Wastewater treatment and management solutions characterised by efficiency, applicability, and scalability. Aims to improve access to sanitation and treatment across communities and sectors, including decentralised systems, low-complexity operational solutions, and sustainable technologies for wastewater treatment and reuse.

For higher TRLs: Special Mention recognitions (TRL 8–9/market-ready)

Three Special Mention assignments will be given to recognize established and market-ready solutions. These do not carry formal prize money, but offer unique cash prizes, networking opportunities, and special recognition at the award event.

In this Challenge, you'll be asked several questions about yourself/team/organization, your project, technical details, and impact.

It's critical that you also provide some must-have attachments – include a short pitch deck about you and your solution (.pdf or .ppt), and a short 2-minute pitch video (.mp4, less than 50mb).

Solution Requirements

In the GPIW 2026, the aim is to reward and support leading water innovations, teams and organizations, and move the sector forward with significant, sustainable water solutions.

Please provide quantitative and qualitative information about your solution, approach, and team that tells the GPIW how you:

• Fit clearly within one of the six Challenge categories above and be assigned to the correct technology-readiness track (TRL 1–3; TRL 4–7; or a Special Mention for TRL 8-9 submissions).
• Demonstrate genuine innovation, technical merit, and potential impact on global water challenges.
• Show a credible path toward piloting, scaling, or deployment appropriate to its readiness level.

Awards are contingent on the theoretical evaluation of the proposal by GPIW's international jury: respected professionals with diverse backgrounds and collective technical, business, and financial expertise.

Your Submission

Submissions must be written in English, and must include:

• A written proposal answering detailed questions about you/your team/organisation, your project and its history, and the technical details of your solution.
• Required attachments, including: a short pitch video (.mp4 format); and a short pitch document (.pdf or .ppt format).
• Optional supporting documentation, including any relevant research for the judges (PDF format).

Participation Guidance

1. Submission Close Date: Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (Arabian Standard Time, UTC+3hrs) on September 30th, 2026.
2. Late submissions: Late submissions will not be considered.
3. Multiple submissions, 3 Maximum: In case of multiple submissions by the same Solver, only 3 submissions – the final 3 submitted – will be considered. Any other submissions will be deleted prior to evaluation.
4. Use of AI: Please note that any submissions produced solely with generative AI are not of interest.
5. Learn more: Find out more about participation in Innocentive Challenges.

FAQs

• When and where does the GPIW take place? Can I participate remotely? The submission phase runs through to September 30^th, 2026. Then, the evaluation process by the International Jury will occur, with shortlisting taking place in October 2026. Both phases are conducted remotely without requiring physical presence. However, attendance is required for the award ceremony – which will be scheduled for later in 2026 - with the option to designate a representative if necessary.
• Who can apply for the GPIW? Individuals without affiliation, Teams, Researchers, Research groups, Startups, Companies, NGOs, universities: anyone with an innovative idea in water or the research skills to develop the sector.
• Can companies participate if they have already raised funding? Yes. Companies who have raised seed funding could still be awarded with the prize.
• How is the review process organized for the application submissions and who will assess the applications? The review process for application submissions is meticulously structured to ensure comprehensive evaluation across multiple dimensions. An international jury constituted by respected professionals with diverse backgrounds, collectively possessing high technical abilities, business insights, and financial expertise.
• Can applications be submitted in collaboration with another company or research institution? Yes, applications can be submitted in collaboration with other entities, such as research institutions or companies. This collaborative approach fosters synergies, enhances innovation, and broadens the scope of potential impact. Please name all associated organizations in your submission to the GPIW 2026.
• Will the selection process be affected if the research associated with the project has already been published? No, the selection process is not affected by prior publication of associated research. Intellectual property and commercial rights remain with the innovator or affiliated entities, with no transfer to the GPIW organization, as the initiative does not seek intellectual property rights of the innovation.
• What additional benefits does the GPIW offer beyond monetary prizes and piloting innovations? Participating in the GPIW provides exposure and networking opportunities with industry leaders, potentially influencing career paths or company development. Collaboration with fellow award winners fosters knowledge sharing and innovative idea exchange, enhancing transformative impact across the water sector.
• Is it mandatory to pilot the technology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, or can the applicant choose where to pilot their technologies? The pilot program occurs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at SWA-TWIIRA facilities. After the award ceremony, discussions between winners and SWA-TWIIRA, facilitated by Wazoku and other partners, determine piloting requirements. Tailored support ensures successful implementation and advancement of winning technologies, aligning with each project’s objectives and potential impact.
• Are there any restrictions on how to utilize the cash prize awarded by GPIW? Recipients have complete flexibility in using the cash prize from GPIW, with no restrictions or requirement to provide proof of expenditure.
• Is the Award ceremony an open event or does it require an invitation? The Award ceremony is open to all applicants with prior registration. Everyone interested can attend and celebrate the achievements of the GPIW initiative.
• Will winners need to arrange their travel to the event location? No. GPIW will handle all logistics to ensure the presence of one representative from each winner technology at the event. All expenses, including travel from the original destination to Jeddah and back, as well as hotel accommodation and transfers since you arrive to Jeddah, will be covered by GPIW organization. Additionally, any necessary documentation for visa purposes will be provided, although visa costs are not covered by GPIW.
• Is there any cost associated with applying for the Prize? No, there is no cost associated with the GPIW application. Please report anyone asking you to spend to apply to community@innocentive.com.
• What happened at previous Global Prize awards? You can learn more about the results, winners, and success of the 2024 GPID and 2025 GPIW events here.