Fourth edition welcomes worldwide water innovators; applications close 30 September 2026.
The Saudi Water Authority has launched the fourth edition of the Global Prize for Innovation in Water (GPIW), The prize is open to innovators, researchers, startups, universities, technology developers, and entrepreneurs from around the world, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a global platform that brings together expertise and talent to develop practical solutions to water challenges.
innovations is increasing to address water scarcity, rising demand and efficiency of water production
The prize comes at a time when the global need for practical innovations is increasing to address water scarcity, rising demand, climate change, and improve the efficiency of water production, treatment, and reuse. It provides an international pathway for transforming promising ideas into solutions that benefit people, development, and the environment.
Category dedicated to water conservation and improving water use efficiency
The fourth edition introduces a new category dedicated to water conservation and improving water use efficiency. The category aims to encourage innovations that support demand management, promote the optimal use of water resources, and expand the adoption of solutions and technologies that advance sustainability across various sectors.
The prize seeks to attract projects and technologies that help reduce the cost of water production, improve energy efficiency, increase the reliability of water supplies, enhance water quality, expand opportunities for water reuse, and support digital solutions and artificial intelligence applications that improve operational efficiency across water systems.
Categories reflect the current and future priorities of the water sector, covering promising research solutions
The prize includes categories that reflect the current and future priorities of the water sector, covering promising research solutions, emerging technologies, operational solutions, and projects ready for implementation and scaling, enabling innovations at all levels of technology maturity, from concept to deployment.
The fourth edition builds on the success of the previous edition, which attracted 2,570 applications from 119 countries. The submissions represented 316 organizations and institutions, resulting in 36 finalist projects from 22 countries. These projects were evaluated by an international judging panel of 28 experts representing 12 countries, culminating in the recognition of 14 winners, demonstrating the prize’s ability to attract high-impact innovations that contribute to the future of water.
Connecting innovators and researchers with operational and investment stakeholders
The Saudi Water Authority emphasized that the prize goes beyond the concept of competition by serving as a global platform for knowledge exchange, the integration of expertise, and connecting innovators and researchers with operational and investment stakeholders. This contributes to accelerating the adoption of unconventional solutions and reinforces Saudi Arabia’s role in advancing water innovation with sustainable impact.
Applications for the fourth edition opened on 8 June 2026, and will remain open until 30 September 2026. The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on 7 December 2026, in Jeddah, where the winners will be announced and outstanding projects and technologies will be recognized in the presence of leading specialists, experts, investors, and stakeholders from the water sector, on the sidelines of the 5th International Conference on Water Sustainability Innovation.
Those interested in participating can review the prize requirements, categories, and submit their applications through the official platform:
