The Global Innovation Prize in Water… A Saudi Platform Leading the Global Race for Water Solutions

The Global Prize for Innovation in Water (GPIW) continues to solidify its presence as the fastest growing innovation platform worldwide, having surpassed 600 submissions in just three editions from universities, research centers, and startups transforming into a global stage where scientific ideas meet practical, scalable technological solutions.

The prize launched its first edition in 2023 with the participation of 85 entities, before expanding to 199 entities in 2024, then leaping to 316 entities in 2025 an upward trajectory that reflects its evolution from a specialized award into an international platform attracting the finest research minds from across continents.

The third edition in 2025 witnessed a historic, unprecedented leap; submissions increased from 540 applications representing 56 countries in 2024 to more than 2,570 applications from 119 countries in 2025 a growth exceeding 400% in just one year. This global momentum resulted in 36 innovative projects from 22 countries advancing to the final stage, with winners to be announced next Monday, December 8, in Jeddah.

This growing international engagement reflects the tremendous trust the prize has earned, now attracting prestigious universities and research laboratories from leading nations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Japan, Australia, Canada, Belgium, Brazil, Morocco, and many others—alongside a rising participation from start-ups delivering innovative solutions in water management, desalination, treatment, and reuse.

The numbers reveal the exceptional scale of the prize’s growth: the number of participating countries has more than doubled; applicants have surged by over 375%; and participating institutions increased from 85 to 316 in just three years establishing the prize as a global platform that draws scientific elites and accelerates the journey of innovation from the laboratory to real-world implementation.
Launched by the Saudi Water Authority in 2023, the Global Prize for Innovation in Water is the largest of its kind in the global water sector. It aims to empower innovation, adopt modern technologies, and support the next generation of innovators. The prize is overseen by an international judging committee composed of leading experts, entrepreneurs, and academics from around the world, ensuring the selection of solutions most capable of creating real impact on the future of water globally.