IWA & Grundfos “Youth Action for SDG 6” Fellowship 2027-2028
Overview
The IWA & Grundfos Youth Action for SDG 6 Fellowship 2027-2028 is a global programme established in 2022 to support Young Water Professionals in strengthening their leadership, professional capabilities, and contributions to global water challenges. The third cohort spans approximately two years, combining online activities and in-person gatherings to focus on innovation and the increased uptake of technology and innovative solutions in the water sector.
Who can apply
Applicants must be Young Water Professionals aged 18 to 35 years old. The programme welcomes students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and professionals working in companies, utilities, public institutions, non-governmental organisations, and other water-related organisations, while seeking a cohort that reflects gender, geographical, and professional diversity. Candidates must already be exploring or developing an idea, solution, or innovative approach to a clearly identified water challenge that would benefit from a structured journey to refine, test, strengthen, and position the work for wider uptake.
What you get
Selected Fellows participate in a structured two-year journey featuring online onboarding, regular monthly meetings from February 2027 to December 2028, and an initial in-person gathering during the first semester of 2027 in London, United Kingdom, and Bjerringbro, Denmark. The programme includes tailored capacity-development sessions on innovation, entrepreneurship, adoption, and implementation, as well as thematic peer-learning groups and project progress reviews. Fellows engage with practitioners, researchers, utilities, innovators, entrepreneurs, and experts from IWA and Grundfos, participate in selected international water-sector events in the second semester of 2027, showcase their work for greater visibility, connect with previous alumni, and attend the 2028 IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition in Malaysia.
Requirements
Applicants must bring an existing innovation, solution, or approach that addresses a clearly identified water-related problem or opportunity with a defined concept. The proposed work must identify intended users, beneficiaries, or customers, show that the applicant has already taken tangible steps to explore, develop, or validate the solution, and remain at a stage where Fellowship participation can meaningfully influence its development toward implementation or wider uptake.
How to apply
Candidates must submit a curriculum vitae of a maximum of two pages, a motivation letter of a maximum of two pages, a maximum of one reference letter of one page ideally from an IWA member, and an innovation proposal of a maximum of two pages.
Key dates
The application deadline is November 5, 2026. The programme runs from February 2027 to December 2028, with an initial in-person gathering in the first semester of 2027 and participation in international events during the second semester of 2027, followed by the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition in Malaysia in 2028.