SECTION A: INDIVIDUAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Lifetime Achievement in Water Sustainability
Description: Honors an individual with more than 20 years of high-impact, outstanding contributions in advancing water and wastewater sustainability, policy, education, or innovation. Recognizes their long-term influence on the sector at a national or international scale.
Eligibility:
- Senior professionals, scientists, policymakers, or industry veterans with proven track record.
- Must demonstrate at least 20+ years of work in the field.
Notes: Nominations must include CV, bibliography/portfolio, 2 recommendation letters.
Young Researcher Award (Below 35)
Description: Encourages research-driven innovation by scientists or engineers below 35 who have shown significant promise in addressing water, wastewater, and sanitation challenges.
Eligibility:
- Must be <35 years as of Nov 21, 2025.
- Open to students, researchers, or early-career professionals.
Notes: Needs submission of research summary, max 2000 words.
Woman Leader Award in Water Sector
Description: Celebrates leadership of women driving policies, innovations, or impactful water/ wastewater management projects. Aims to promote inclusivity and gender diversity in the sector.
Eligibility:
- Open to women professionals, entrepreneurs, NGO leaders.
- At least 10 years of leadership contribution preferred.
Grassroot Innovator Award
Description: For individual grassroots champions who inspire community-driven water conservation or sanitation awareness campaigns.
Eligibility:
- Community leaders, activists, NGO volunteers.
- Project impact must be shown in measurable terms (water saved, awareness spread).
Start-up of the Year – Water Tech
Description: For new-age start-ups (<10 years) innovating in smart water management, IoT, wastewater reuse, or AI-based solutions with commercial potential.
Eligibility:
- Registered WaterTech start-ups (India / global).
- Incorporation less than 10
Water Security Field Leadership Award
Description: Recognises individual engineers and field practitioners delivering measurable on-ground impact in improving water security through practical solutions such as groundwater recharge, rainwater harvesting, and sustainable local water management.
Eligibility:
- Open to individual professionals only (government engineers, field officers, NGO practitioners, technical professionals).
- Minimum 3 years of relevant field experience in water conservation or water resource management.
- Must demonstrate direct involvement in implementation of at least one operational project improving water availability or groundwater recharge.
- Organisations or team submissions are not eligible.
Woman Researcher Award in Water Sector
Description: Recognises outstanding women researchers driving impactful advancements in the water sector through scientific research, innovation, and knowledge contribution. The award honours work that addresses critical water challenges and demonstrates measurable relevance to real-world applications.
Eligibility:
- Female researcher working in the water sector (academia, research institutions, or independent research)
- Minimum 3–5 years of relevant research experience
- Demonstrated contribution through published research, patents, or applied studies
- Work should address key water challenges (water quality, wastewater, conservation, climate resilience, etc.)
- Open to individuals with measurable research impact (not just participation)