Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award
5th Cycle (2026)
Global Awards for Innovative Water Solutions
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award recognizes breakthrough innovations that address water scarcity through sustainable, scalable, and impactful solutions. Administered by the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE), the award supports organizations, institutions, and individuals advancing access to safe drinking water worldwide.
Applications for the 5th Cycle are now open.
Organization: UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE)
Support Type: Global awards and prize funding
Geographic Focus: Global
Award Categories & Eligibility
Innovative Projects Award
For deployed, near-commercial water solutions
Description:
Projects must be innovative, commercialized, or ready to be commercialized (post-pilot stage) and operational for at least three months prior to the application deadline. Projects may consist of a single system or multiple systems deployed by the same organization across different locations.
Projects must:
- Rely on 100% renewable energy
- Produce safe drinking water in line with WHO guidelines
- Provide a minimum of 30 liters per person per day
- Demonstrate innovation in production capacity, efficiency, disinfection, operations, and cost effectiveness
Intended Applicants:
Governmental, semi-governmental, private, and non-governmental organizations
Innovative Individual Award
For individual innovators advancing water technology
Description:
This category recognizes individuals who have made meaningful research, technical, or implementation contributions to innovative water solutions. Submissions should outline the applicant’s role in developing technologies that address water scarcity using renewable energy and produce safe drinking water in line with WHO guidelines.
Supporting materials may include:
- Scientific publications
- Patents
- Prototype images and technical descriptions
Intended Applicants:
Individual applicants
Innovative Research & Development Award
For advanced prototype and research-based solutions
Description:
Submissions must be innovative, prototyped solutions with a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5. Solutions should demonstrate measurable improvements in potable water production, distribution, or management.
Preference is given to solutions that:
- Can operate on renewable energy once deployed
- Are easy to install, operate, and maintain
- Perform reliably in harsh or varied environments
- Use low-cost, maintenance-friendly technologies
Intended Applicants:
Individuals or teams from nonprofit, educational, academic institutions, and research centers (independent or affiliated with governmental or semi-governmental entities)
Innovative Crisis Solutions Award
For emergency and humanitarian water response
Description:
Projects must provide emergency drinking water solutions in response to internationally declared crises (e.g., natural disasters or catastrophic events). Systems must be deployable within 48 hours and have been field-tested in emergencies, benefiting at least 1,000 people during the critical response phase.
Projects should demonstrate:
- Rapid deployment capability
- Independence from existing utility infrastructure
- Operational robustness in emergency conditions
- Compliance with WHO drinking water guidelines
Use of renewable energy is preferred but not required in this category.
Intended Applicants:
Small enterprises, research institutions, and NGOs
Timeline & Review
📅 Application Cycle: 5th Cycle
📅 Application Deadline: April 30, 2026 (UAE Midnight Time)
📅 Review Type: Competitive, global review
Application / Request Process
Applications must be submitted through the official online awards portal. Requirements vary by category and may include technical documentation, proof of deployment or readiness, impact metrics, and supporting research materials.
Applicants are encouraged to review category-specific guidelines carefully before applying.
Apply / Learn More
➡️ https://www.mbrwateraward.ae/en/awards
Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit
This award is an excellent fit for:
- Organizations deploying renewable-energy water systems
- Innovators and researchers advancing water technology
- NGOs and enterprises working in water-scarce or crisis-affected regions
- Teams seeking global recognition and significant prize funding to scale impact
Corporate Grants Guide Notes
- Review Type: Competitive
- Deadline: April 30, 2026 (UAE Midnight Time)
- Best Suited For: Global nonprofits, innovators, researchers, and organizations advancing sustainable drinking water solutions
