The Water Center at the University of Pennsylvania is currently accepting applications for our first annual Student Water Innovation Award. The challenges confronting local and global water systems and watersheds are varied but endemic, and the Water Center recognizes that it takes creative minds to develop innovative solutions. We hope this award inspires students to reach for more innovative, efficient and climate ready solutions to our most pressing water issues, while developing the next generation of water leaders.
Based on input from our academic and corporate partners and our research into trends in the water sector, the Water Center is soliciting applications focused on innovation within the following topic areas:
- Water Reuse
- PFAS
- Nature-based Solutions to Urban Water Challenges
- Energy Efficiency in Water Production and Treatment
The deadline for the application is September 30, 2024. Awards will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Water Center’s Careers in the Water Industry event on October 17, 2024 - finalists must attend this event. Each winner will be featured on The Water Center’s website, social media outlets, and email newsletters.
There will be 2 award recipients, and each recipient will receive a $2,000 prize ($500 will be received following their presentations and an additional $1,500 will be received following the successful completion of a final report due in the Spring semester that outlines the specifics of their proposed innovation). The final reports should follow the format of a funding proposal that may be used to turn the proposed innovations into reality.