Skip to content
Find Scholarships
Find Scholarships
DenmarkMalaysiaUnited Kingdom Professional DevelopmentShort Course Fully Funded

IWA & Grundfos Youth Action for SDG 6 Fellowship 2027–2028

The IWA & Grundfos Youth Action for SDG 6 Fellowship 2027–2028 is a two-year global programme supporting Young Water Professionals aged 18–35 to strengthen leadership and innovation in addressing water challenges. The third cohort focuses specifically on increasing technology uptake and innovative solutions in the water sector.

October 29, 2026 ⏰ Deadline: 7 days left

Quick Overview

Host CountryGlobal programme with activities in United Kingdom, Denmark, and Malaysia
Degree LevelShort Course, Professional Development
Funding TypeFully Funded
Fields of StudyEntrepreneurship, Environmental Engineering, Innovation, Sustainable Development, Water
DeadlineNovember 5, 2026

Scholarship Overview

Apply on the official site →

You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships

People Also Checked: Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity Programme 2027-2028: Fully Funded Fellowship at LSE (Fully Funded)

Overview

The IWA & Grundfos Youth Action for SDG 6 Fellowship 2027–2028 is the third cohort of a global programme established in 2022 by the International Water Association (IWA) and Grundfos. It supports Young Water Professionals (YWPs) to develop leadership capabilities and advance innovative solutions to water challenges aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 6.

This cohort places stronger emphasis on innovation and technology uptake in the water sector. Fellows receive structured capacity development, peer learning, expert engagement, and exposure at international water events over approximately two years.

People Also Checked: Martingale Scholarship 2027: Fully Funded Masters and PhD for UK Research Students (Fully Funded)

Programme Structure and Activities

The Fellowship combines online and in-person activities from February 2027 to December 2028:

  • Online onboarding and monthly meetings (February 2027 – December 2028)
  • In-person gathering in London, United Kingdom and Bjerringbro, Denmark (first semester 2027)
  • Tailored capacity-development sessions on innovation, entrepreneurship, adoption and implementation
  • Thematic peer-learning groups and project progress reviews
  • Engagement with practitioners, utilities, researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs
  • Participation in selected IWA activities and international water-sector events (second semester 2027)
  • Visibility opportunities to communicate and showcase Fellows’ work
  • Continued engagement with alumni from previous cohorts
  • Participation at the 2028 IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition in Malaysia

The precise programme will be tailored to the needs and profiles of selected Fellows. Active and sustained commitment throughout the programme is required.

People Also Checked: Jack Hirst Scholarship 2027/2028 | Imperial College London Chemistry Master's (Fully Funded)

Innovation Focus Areas

Cohort 3 seeks applicants developing solutions at idea/concept, prototype or early-pilot stage. Applicants should identify the area most closely reflecting their proposed work:

  • Applied research and product/solution innovation: Translating research, technical knowledge or emerging technologies into practical products, services or solutions responding to real water-sector needs
  • Innovative financial mechanisms and business models: Exploring financing approaches and business models enabling development, adoption or scaling of water solutions
  • Capacity building and enabling approaches: Developing innovative approaches strengthening capacity of people, organisations, utilities or communities to adopt, implement and benefit from water solutions

These areas guide applications but are not rigid tracks. Final thematic groups will be shaped by selected Fellows’ profiles and projects.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet one of these criteria:

  • Hold an active IWA Young Water Professional membership (verified by IWA Secretariat); or
  • Be a Grundfos employee meeting the YWP age requirement (dedicated application route; IWA membership not required)

All applicants must also meet:

  • Age: 18–35 years old (maximum age 35 by December 2028)
  • Engaged in water sector through study, research, employment, entrepreneurship or relevant professional activity
  • Evidence of commitment to delivering positive change in the water sector
  • Demonstrated leadership capacity and willingness to collaborate
  • Addressing a relevant local and/or global water challenge through proposed innovation
  • Tangible action towards developing or validating proposed innovation
  • Working knowledge of English
  • Availability and commitment to participate throughout the programme
  • Not be a former IWA & Grundfos Youth Action for SDG 6 Fellow
  • Not be a current or former participant of IWA Leadership Programme (IWA LeaP)
  • Not be a participant of IWA Mentorship Programme

What the Fellowship Covers

For required travel and in-person activities, the Fellowship covers:

  • Air travel (economy class)
  • Accommodation (single occupancy)
  • Subsistence (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
  • Ground transportation (airport transfers and hotel to venue)
  • Travel insurance
  • Visa application fees

Important limitations: Fellows apply for their own visas; IWA and Grundfos cannot guarantee visa success. The Fellowship does not provide direct funding, investment or grants for implementing Fellows’ innovations or projects. All intellectual property remains with the Fellow(s). The programme aims to position Fellows to pursue partnerships, accelerators or external financing.

Application Documents

All candidates must submit:

  • Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages)
  • Motivation letter (maximum 2 pages)
  • Letter of reference (maximum 1 page, ideally from an IWA member)
  • Innovation proposal (maximum 2 pages)

Motivation Letter Guidance

Address: relevant professional/academic/entrepreneurial experience in water and SDG 6; motivation for applying and alignment with professional goals; skills, knowledge or networks to develop; intended contribution to Fellowship and cohort; examples of leadership, teamwork, initiative or innovation; and how Fellowship experience will advance positive change.

Innovation Proposal Guidance

Describe: water-related problem or opportunity; proposed solution and its innovative aspects; intended users, beneficiaries or customers; current development stage; activities undertaken so far with evidence of traction; main barriers preventing further development; aims for the Fellowship period; and how Fellowship participation could advance implementation, partnerships, uptake or financing.

No full business plan is required.

Application Process

For IWA YWP members:

  1. Log in to IWA Connect Plus using active membership credentials
  2. Access and complete the online application form
  3. Upload all required documents
  4. Accept terms of selection process
  5. Submit by deadline

For Grundfos employees:

  1. Obtain dedicated application link through Grundfos internal communication channels
  2. Complete the dedicated application form (IWA membership not required)
  3. Upload all required documents
  4. Accept terms of selection process
  5. Submit by deadline

Grundfos employees without IWA membership should not use the standard IWA member application form.

Selection Process

Applications undergo preliminary eligibility and quality assessment by IWA Secretariat. Shortlisted candidates are invited to interview with a selection panel including IWA and Grundfos representatives and, where appropriate, Fellowship alumni.

Assessment considers both applicant and proposed innovation, with attention to:

  • Relevance and clarity of water-related problem
  • Quality and innovative character of proposed solution
  • Appropriateness of development stage and evidence of tangible progress
  • Potential for impact and uptake
  • Fit with Fellowship and programme value-add
  • Applicant capability, leadership potential, motivation and commitment
  • Potential contribution to cohort learning and collaboration

Final cohort composition considers regional and country representation, gender diversity, professional/background diversity, diversity of water challenges, and balance across innovation areas.

Key Dates

  • Application period: 05 October 2026 – 05 November 2026
  • Tentative interviews: Late November 2026
  • Expected announcement: Mid-December 2026
  • Programme start: February 2027

Contact and Support

For submission withdrawal or edits: ywp@iwahq.org

For questions on IWA YWP Community or the call: Dr Isabela Espindola, IWA Membership Engagement Senior Officer

Connect with #IWAYWP community on IWA Connect Plus

Not an IWA member? Join at iwa-network.org/join/

Related scholarships

Official scholarship page: https://www.iwa-network.org/news/applications-open-for-the-2027-2028-iwa-and-grundfos-youth-action-for-sdg-6-fellowship

Apply on the official site →

You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships

Funding Coverage

Travel, accommodation, subsistence, insurance, and visa fees for required Fellowship activities. No direct funding for project implementation.

Eligibility Criteria

Young Water Professionals aged 18–35 with active IWA YWP membership OR Grundfos employees meeting age requirement; engaged in water sector; demonstrated leadership; tangible progress on proposed innovation; working English; full availability for programme; not former Fellow or IWA LeaP/Mentorship participant

Required Documents

CV (max 2 pages), motivation letter (max 2 pages), reference letter (max 1 page, ideally IWA member), innovation proposal (max 2 pages)

Application Process

IWA members: Log into IWA Connect Plus, complete online form, upload documents, submit. Grundfos employees: Use dedicated internal application route, complete form, upload documents, submit.
Apply Now — Official Website

You will be redirected to the official scholarship application page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The maximum age is 35 by the end of the Fellowship in December 2028. If you are 35 or younger at that point, you meet the age requirement.
No. The Fellowship covers your participation costs—travel, accommodation, meals, insurance, and visas for programme activities. It does not provide direct funding, investment, or grants for implementing your innovation. The programme aims to strengthen your solution and position you to pursue external financing or partnerships.
No. You must either hold an active IWA Young Water Professional membership or be a Grundfos employee meeting the age requirement. If you are neither, you are not eligible for this cohort. Consider joining IWA to become eligible for future opportunities.
The Fellowship suits solutions at idea/concept, prototype, or early-pilot stage. An idea alone is insufficient—you must demonstrate tangible action towards developing or validating your solution. The innovation should be developed enough to benefit from testing and peer exchange, but still open to meaningful influence from Fellowship participation.
Selection considers both you and your innovation. Strong applications show: a clearly identified water problem; a genuinely innovative solution; evidence of tangible progress (not just ideas); realistic potential for impact and uptake; clear fit with what the Fellowship offers; demonstrated leadership and collaboration capacity; and commitment to contribute to cohort learning. Geographic, gender, and professional diversity are also considered in final selection.
The Fellowship actively seeks geographic diversity and welcomes African applicants. Ensure you can obtain passports and visas for travel to the UK, Denmark, and Malaysia. Start visa processes early if selected. Your regional perspective on water challenges is valuable—clearly articulate local context and scalability potential in your innovation proposal. If you lack IWA membership, join promptly to meet the application deadline.

Related Scholarships