The International Water Association (IWA) invites nominations for its 2026 Fellows and Distinguished Fellows program. This initiative recognizes global water professionals for their leadership, expertise, and sustained impact on water science, technology, and management. To be eligible for a Fellowship, candidates must be active IWA members—including engineers, researchers, or utility managers—who have demonstrated outstanding professional contributions. Distinguished Fellow nominations are reserved for current IWA Fellows whose long careers have left an extraordinary mark on the global water sector. While these roles are honorary and do not include a direct monetary grant, selected individuals join a prestigious global community and represent IWA at international events. The deadline for nominations is 19 April 2026. Know more
Category: Water Resources
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) invites applications for a virtual media workshop focused on inclusive water governance and climate resilience within the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna river basin. The program aims to strengthen the capacity of journalists to report on transboundary water issues, gender equality, and social inclusion in water management. Eligible applicants include early- and mid-career journalists from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal who are interested in environmental and climate reporting. While the workshop itself is a training opportunity, participants who complete the sessions become eligible to apply for story grants, which typically range from US$1,000 to US$2,500, to fund in-depth reporting projects. The deadline for applications is 30 April 2026. Virtual Media Workshop
The International Water Association (IWA) invites nominations for the ISME-IWA Bio-Cluster Award. This award recognizes interdisciplinary research at the intersection of water wastewater management and microbial ecology, specifically honoring clinicians, engineers, or scientists who have made significant contributions to the field. Individuals or representative groups from any country are eligible, with one award typically granted to a mid-career researcher and another to a senior professional. The prize includes a travel grant to attend the IWA World Water Congress or the ISME Symposium, though the specific monetary value is not disclosed. The deadline for nominations is 08 May 2026. Bio-Cluster Award
- Tags: awards/prizes, individuals, may2026, research, water, worldwide
The journal Water invites applications for the Best PhD Thesis Award to recognize young scholars who have completed outstanding doctoral research in any aspect of water science, technology, management, or governance. The competition is open to PhD students or recently qualified PhD fellows worldwide, provided their thesis is original work and was defended during 2025. One winner will be selected to receive CHF 800. Applicants must submit an executive summary of their thesis in English. The deadline for applications is 31 May 2026. Thesis Award
- Tags: awards/prizes, early-career, may2026, research, water, worldwide
The Japan Water Forum, in collaboration with the City of Kyoto and the World Water Council, invites applications for the Kyoto World Water Grand Prize 2027 to honor grassroots organizations solving water challenges. Eligible applicants are non-profit, non-governmental, and locally led organizations based in developing countries that have implemented water-related projects between 2020 and 2024. The prize aims to recognize initiatives that respect the social and cultural characteristics of local communities. One winner will receive 2 million JPY (approximately US$13 thousand) to support the continuation or enhancement of their activities and will be invited to the award ceremony at the 11th World Water Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The deadline for applications is 12 June 2026. Details here
- Tags: awards/prizes, june2026, nonprofit orgs, water, worldwide
The Toilet Board Coalition invites applications for its Accelerator Program, which supports small and medium-sized enterprises developing sanitation and hygiene solutions. The program provides business mentorship, strategic coaching, and access to a network of investors to help businesses scale their impact in the circular sanitation economy. Eligible applicants must be registered for-profit SMEs operating in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, or Southeast Asia. While the program does not provide direct grant funding, it facilitates connections to potential investors and partners to help secure financing. The application deadline is 30 April 2026. Know more
The Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) invites research consortia to submit projects focused on sustainable water management. The program targets the upscaling of nature-based solutions to address extreme weather events and seeks to enhance policy development through innovative water footprint concepts. Eligibility requires a consortium of at least three legal entities from three different participating countries, including at least one from an EU Member State or associated country and at least one from a Mediterranean Partner Country (such as Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, or Morocco). Funding amounts vary by section: Section 1 projects typically receive approximately €2.7 million each from EU funds, while Section 2 projects receive a minimum of €1.5 million supported by national funding bodies. The deadline for pre-proposals is 15 May 2026. Water Management
The Stockholm Water Prize is awarded annually for outstanding achievements supporting the availability, conservation, and protection of the world’s water resources. The award is open to individuals and organizations of any nationality whose work contributes broadly to the conservation and protection of water resources. The Stockholm Water Prize consists of an award of US$150 thousand and a crystal sculpture. The deadline for nominations is 15 September 2026. Nominate
UNICEF invites applications for its WASH Innovation Hub to support solutions that improve water, sanitation, and hygiene services. The program is open to startups, social enterprises, and non-profit organizations globally that offer scalable technologies or business models addressing water scarcity and sanitation safety. Selected participants may receive seed funding, technical mentorship, and the opportunity to pilot their innovations in UNICEF-supported programs; however, specific grant amounts vary by the project’s scale and stage. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. For more information, click here
The Palladium Group supports innovative, scalable projects that improve water security and economic prosperity. This global program is open to all types of organizations, with a particular emphasis on supporting small businesses, startups, and grassroots non-profits. Proposals must address one of five strategic pillars, including agricultural water productivity, urban water loss reduction, and nature-based solutions. Selected winners receive grants of up to AU$100 thousand to implement their solutions over a one-year period. The deadline for submitting a required initial concept note is 01 April 2026. Challenge Fund