The African Center for Aquatic Research and Education (ACARE) invites applications for its African Women in Science (AWIS) program to support women pursuing careers in freshwater sciences. The program provides mentorship, networking opportunities, and professional development to female scientists who are citizens of African countries bordering the African Great Lakes (Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia). AWIS offers financial support to cover research-related expenses and participation in international conferences, though specific grant amounts are not listed. Applications must be submitted by 15 June 2026. Link to ACARE
Category: Water Resources
The RELX Group sponsors the RELX Group Environmental Challenge to recognize projects worldwide that best demonstrate sustainable access to safe water and/or access to improved sanitation. The challenge is open to individuals and organizations (profit and non-profit). Projects must advance sustainable access to safe water where it is presently at risk, and/or access to improved sanitation. Two prizes are available, with one winner in the clean water and sanitation category and one winner in the ocean category each receiving a grant of US$75 thousand. The submission deadline is 12 July 2026. About the RELX Group Environmental Challenge
The National Geographic Society invites proposals for its Common Waters initiative to support projects that strengthen community-based stewardship of coastal and riverine ecosystems. This program is open to individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, including conservationists, researchers, and storytellers, and does not require formal academic degrees. Eligible projects must be located in areas that overlap with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions voyages, such as the Arctic, the Peruvian Amazon, and the South Pacific. The society offers grants of up to US$75 thousand to support initiatives focused on local ecosystem restoration, climate change adaptation, or sustainable resource management. The application deadline is 31 May 2026. For more information
The IHE Delft Institute for Water Education offers scholarships for its Master of Science in Water and Sustainable Development. The program is open to professionals from several countries in the Middle East, the Horn of Africa, and the Sahel, including Egypt, Iraq, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria. Full scholarships cover the total cost of the program, including tuition fees, insurance, and international travel, plus a monthly living allowance of €1,220. Recipients are required to conduct their research in their home region in association with projects supported by the Water and Development Partnership Programme. The deadline for scholarship applications is 01 June 2026. More
- Tags: Africa, fellowships/scholarships, individuals, june2026, water
Well Aware aims to help local communities in East Africa find sustainable solutions to address water scarcity and contamination. Well Aware aims to support its water projects with integrated project planning; technical evaluation; project oversight; promotion of partnerships; community training in sanitation and hygiene; and community empowerment. At this time, Well Aware is only actively implementing water projects in Kenya and Tanzania. Applications can be submitted at any time; there is no deadline. About Well Aware
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
- Tags: april2026, awards/prizes, individuals, water, worldwide
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