Calling all innovators: enter the £7.5m Water Discovery Challenge and become part of an urgent change

THE WATER SECTOR stands at a pivotal moment. It must achieve net zero emissions, increase water and energy efficiency, make infrastructure resilient and ensure that its impact on nature is minimised – all while serving customers properly and safely.

Realising such vast change requires teamwork and cross-sector expertise – and chemical engineers are uniquely equipped to become the sector’s partner in this moment.

Historically, the water sector has been hard to access for new innovators. Recognising this, we launched the Water Discovery Challenge, inviting innovators across multiple sectors to enter their ideas, bringing in fresh thinking and breaking down barriers to entering the industry.

The first Water Discovery Challenge attracted over 200 entries, proving there’s a talented community of innovators raring to make a difference.

Now, we’ve launched the second edition of the  Water Discovery Challenge. It will award up to £7.5m (US$10m) to innovators from outside the water sector to accelerate the development and adoption of promising new innovations that will benefit customers, communities and the environment.

Be part of the change

No idea is too ambitious. If you have an idea to improve services to customers, help build water-secure communities, enhance water quality or something else entirely: step forward. As long as you are a UK-registered entity, the challenge welcomes anyone to be part of the change.

There is no requirement for organisations to partner or receive sponsorship from a water company to enter either. We want to support ideas that can deliver transformational benefits to customers, communities and the environment – and act as an engine for economic growth and a people- and nature-positive future.

And unlike other grant opportunities out there, intellectual property rights brought into the challenge by an innovator will remain with the innovator with no obligation to share it royalty-free. So, your ideas remain yours forever.

Up to 20 entries will progress to a finalists’ stage, receiving a package of funding (up to £100,000) and capacity building support to develop their solutions. Up to ten winning entries will be awarded further funding (up to £550,000), as well as expert mentoring from water sector partners. It is set to run for up to 20 months.

Just one bright spark could be the catalyst for transformative change. Be part of the change – and apply today: bit.ly/water-discovery-challenge-2

Entries remain open until 8 April 2026.