The International Water Association (IWA) and Grundfos are recruiting the third cohort of their “Youth Action for SDG 6” Fellowship (2027–2028). It’s a two-year programme for Young Water Professionals aged 18–35 who are developing an innovation, solution or new approach to a water challenge. Fellows get structured training, mentoring and funded trips to London, Denmark and the 2028 IWA World Water Congress in Malaysia.
The programme is global, and past cohorts have included fellows from Ghana and Uganda. Applications close on 5 November 2026, so you have just over a week.
Important: you must hold an active IWA Young Water Professional membership to apply through the IWA route. If you’re not a member, sign up now; membership is checked by the IWA Secretariat.
At a Glance
| Organisers | International Water Association (IWA) and Grundfos |
| Duration | About 2 years (February 2027 – December 2028) |
| Who can apply | Young Water Professionals aged 18–35 (under 36 until December 2028) who are IWA members |
| Format | Online monthly sessions plus in-person events |
| Travel | Covered for required in-person activities |
| Deadline | 5 November 2026 |
About the Fellowship
The fellowship started in 2022 to strengthen the leadership and skills of young water professionals working towards SDG 6: clean water and sanitation for all. The 2027–2028 cohort focuses more strongly on innovation: helping fellows refine, test and position their solutions so they’re more widely adopted in the water sector.
What the Programme Includes
- Online onboarding and monthly meetings from February 2027 to December 2028
- An in-person gathering in the first half of 2027 in London (UK) and Bjerringbro (Denmark), Grundfos’s headquarters
- Training on innovation, entrepreneurship, adoption and implementation
- Thematic peer-learning groups and project progress reviews
- Engagement with utilities, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs and IWA/Grundfos experts
- Participation in selected international water-sector events in the second half of 2027
- Participation in the 2028 IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition in Malaysia
- Opportunities to showcase your work, and links with alumni from earlier cohorts
Benefits
- Funded travel for required in-person activities: economy flights, accommodation, subsistence, ground transport, travel insurance and visa application fees
- Expert mentoring from IWA and Grundfos
- Capacity building in innovation and entrepreneurship
- International visibility for your solution
- A global network of water professionals
Note: the fellowship doesn’t provide direct funding or grants for your innovation. It helps you get ready to seek external funding and partners.
Eligibility
- Aged 18–35, and no older than 35 by the end of the fellowship in December 2028.
- An active IWA Young Water Professional membership. Joining a YWP country chapter doesn’t count on its own. Grundfos employees apply through a separate internal route.
- A student, researcher, entrepreneur or professional in a utility, company, public body, NGO or other water-related organisation.
- An existing innovation, solution or approach that:
- responds to a clearly identified water problem or opportunity
- has a defined concept and identified users or beneficiaries
- has already been explored, developed or validated in some tangible way
- is at a stage where the fellowship can genuinely shape its development
- Good English communication skills, which are assessed at interview.
- Past fellows aren’t eligible to apply again.
Documents Required
- CV (max 2 pages)
- Motivation letter (max 2 pages)
- One reference letter (max 1 page), ideally from an IWA member
- Innovation proposal (max 2 pages)
How to Apply
- If you’re not an IWA member, join as a Young Water Professional on the IWA website.
- Log in to IWA Connect Plus with your membership account.
- Complete the online fellowship application form and upload your four documents.
- Submit before 5 November 2026.
Selection timeline: shortlisting, then interviews in the second half of November 2026. Fellows are announced around mid-December 2026.
Official IWA-Grundfos Fellowship page · Application form (IWA members)
Questions about membership: [email protected]
Tips for African Applicants
- Lead with a real problem. Examples include faecal sludge management in informal settlements, borehole monitoring, low-cost water treatment or non-revenue water in utilities.
- Show traction. Pilots, prototypes, user feedback or partnerships with utilities or local governments make a strong case.
- Get your reference from an IWA member if you can, for example a lecturer or a senior engineer at your water utility.
- Sort out membership today. It must be active before you submit.
