MBR Global Water Award 2026
By UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia)
Check your eligibility
Sign up and we'll tell you whether your startup qualifies for this grant.
Quick Answer
US$1 million prize pool (about ₹9.5 crore) for water-scarcity solutions: projects, research institutions, individuals and crisis solutions worldwide. Fifth cycle closed 30 Sept 2026.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia)
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- International
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 1 October 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia). Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this competition
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award is a US$1 million prize for innovators who find sustainable ways to produce, clean and deliver water, run by the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE) in Dubai. The fifth cycle took entries worldwide and closed on 30 September 2026 after the organiser extended it from 30 April. The organiser's pages we could read announce no sixth cycle yet.
What the program offers
The total prize value for the fifth cycle was US$1 million (about ₹9.5 crore), split across four main categories:
- Innovative Projects Award, US$540,000 in total (about ₹5.13 crore): US$300,000 for large projects (about ₹2.85 crore) and US$240,000 for small projects (about ₹2.28 crore).
- Innovative Research and Development Award, US$400,000 (about ₹3.8 crore): divided equally between national and international institutions.
- Innovative Individual Award, US$40,000 (about ₹38 lakh): split evenly between the Distinguished Researcher Award and the Youth Award, so US$20,000 (about ₹19 lakh) each.
- Innovative Crisis Solutions Award, US$20,000 (about ₹19 lakh).
The sources describe these as prize amounts per award. They do not say how many winners share each prize or how the money is paid out, so treat the figures as the pool for each award.
Who can apply
The organiser invited universities, research centres, institutions, companies, innovators and individuals from around the world. The award is aimed at research and development work that creates sustainable answers to the global water crisis using renewable energy, and at easing water scarcity and improving access to safe water for less developed communities. Entries covered water production, desalination, purification, treatment, storage, distribution and quality monitoring.
For an Indian applicant this means a water-tech startup, a university lab, a research centre or an individual researcher could enter online from India, and the Youth Award and Distinguished Researcher Award gave individuals a route. The sources do not state age limits for the Youth Award or the definition of a small versus a large project, so those details need the award's own guidelines.
How to apply
Applications were submitted online through the award website. The organiser encouraged applicants to give full information about the innovation so the judging panel could understand each stage and mechanism, from water production to treatment, storage, distribution and quality monitoring. It also suggested backing the application with evidence of impact and effectiveness, such as field photographs, prototype results, case studies, videos and performance data. A practical tip: gather this evidence early, because the cycle emphasises results that can be shown.
How applications are judged and what happens next
A judging panel evaluates the submissions. The fifth cycle places greater emphasis on digital transformation and gives priority to projects that use artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve proactive monitoring and operating efficiency. The sources do not describe the number of judging rounds, the announcement date or the awards ceremony for this cycle.
About Suqia UAE and the award
The award was launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It is overseen by the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE) under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives. Over its first four cycles it recognised 43 winners from 26 countries for work in water production, desalination and purification, and the fourth cycle's winning projects have been put to use in countries including Tunisia, Egypt, Botswana, Vietnam, Bangladesh, the Philippines and Indonesia.
Things to check before you apply
- This cycle is closed. Watch the award website for a sixth cycle, because the sources do not announce one or give a date.
- The sources do not say whether the prize is paid in US dollars, in one payment or in instalments, or whether winners must travel to Dubai for a ceremony.
- The sources do not say whether equity or any ownership is taken. They describe the money as a prize.
- Indian recipients of foreign money should check FEMA and tax treatment with an adviser before applying, and NGOs should also check FCRA rules.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Organizers
Prizes & Awards
What You Get
The fifth cycle offered a total of US$1 million (about ₹9.5 crore): US$540,000 for the Innovative Projects Award (US$300,000 for large projects and US$240,000 for small projects), US$400,000 for the Innovative Research and Development Award split equally between national and international institutions, US$40,000 for the Innovative Individual Award split between the Distinguished Researcher and Youth awards, and US$20,000 for the Innovative Crisis Solutions Award.
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
A judging panel evaluates each submission on the stages and mechanisms of the innovation and the evidence of its impact and effectiveness. The fifth cycle gave priority to projects that use AI and machine learning for monitoring and efficiency. The sources do not describe the number of rounds or the announcement date.
Application Process
- 1
Apply online
Submit the application with evidence of impact through the award website.
You - 2
- 3
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 2
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award open now?
No. The fifth cycle closed on 30 September 2026 after the organiser extended it from 30 April 2026. The sources we could read do not announce a sixth cycle or give a date, so watch the award website.
Can Indian startups and researchers apply?
The organiser invited universities, research centres, institutions, companies, innovators and individuals from around the world, so an Indian company, institution or researcher was eligible to apply online. The sources do not list any country restriction.
How much money is in the award?
The fifth cycle had a total prize value of US$1 million, about ₹9.5 crore. The largest share, US$540,000, went to the Innovative Projects Award, with US$300,000 for large projects (about ₹2.85 crore) and US$240,000 for small projects.
What are the categories?
There are four main categories: Innovative Projects, Innovative Research and Development, Innovative Individual and Innovative Crisis Solutions. The Individual category has a Distinguished Researcher Award and a Youth Award, and the Research category has National Institutions and International Institutions awards.
What kind of solutions does the award look for?
It looks for sustainable solutions to water scarcity and access to safe water, powered by clean or renewable energy, across water production, desalination, purification, treatment, storage, distribution and quality monitoring. The fifth cycle gave priority to projects that use AI and machine learning for monitoring and efficiency.
Is it a grant or equity?
The sources describe it as a prize and say nothing about equity or ownership. They do not say how the money is paid or whether it comes with conditions, so check the award's guidelines.
What do I need to submit?
The organiser asked applicants to describe their submission in full, including the stages and mechanisms of water production, treatment, storage, distribution and quality monitoring. Evidence such as field photographs, prototype results, case studies, videos and performance data was encouraged.
Do I have to travel to Dubai?
The sources do not say whether winners must attend a ceremony or travel. Applications were made online through the award website.
Is there an entry fee?
The sources do not mention any entry fee, and they do not say there is none. Check the award's application guidelines.
When are the results announced?
The sources do not give an announcement date for the fifth cycle. Past cycles recognised 43 winners from 26 countries.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
