Applications open for fifth cycle of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award

Applications have opened for the fifth cycle of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award, offering total prizes of USD 1 million to support innovative, clean energy–powered solutions addressing global water challenges.

The announcement was made by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE). The award aims to encourage the development of sustainable technologies for water production, distribution, storage, desalination and purification, contributing to international efforts to combat water scarcity.

Al Tayer highlighted Suqia UAE’s humanitarian impact since its launch by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. He said the foundation has provided access to clean drinking water for nearly 15 million people across 37 countries through sustainable development and relief projects.

He added that, under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, the Global Water Award continues to motivate innovators, researchers and institutions worldwide to develop practical solutions to one of the world’s most pressing challenges. According to United Nations data, around 2.2 billion people still lack access to safely managed drinking water, while nearly 10 per cent of the global population lives in areas facing high or critical water stress.

Al Tayer called on universities, research centres, companies, organisations and individual innovators to participate in the award, emphasising the collective responsibility to deliver clean water to communities most in need.

Mohammed Al Shamsi, Acting Executive Director of Suqia UAE, said the award has attracted hundreds of submissions over its four previous cycles. To date, 43 innovators from 26 countries have been recognised for developing affordable and sustainable water technologies.

Award categories and prizes

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award offers prizes totalling USD 1 million across four main categories:

• Innovative Projects Award, including Large Projects and Small Projects

• Innovative Research and Development Award, covering National and International Institutions

• Innovative Individual Award, comprising the Distinguished Researcher Award and the Youth Award

• Innovative Crisis Solutions Award

The award is designed to support scalable, energy-efficient water solutions that can make a measurable impact in water-stressed regions worldwide.