IWA & Grundfos Youth Fellowship 2027–2028 for Young Water Professionals

The IWA & Grundfos Youth Fellowship 2027–2028 is accepting applications for its third cohort. The Youth Action for SDG 6 Fellowship supports young water professionals who are developing an innovation, solution or approach to a clearly identified water challenge.

Run by the International Water Association (IWA) and Grundfos, the global programme combines online learning and in-person activities to strengthen participants’ leadership, professional networks and ability to advance water-sector solutions.

Programme: IWA & Grundfos Youth Action for SDG 6 Fellowship, Cohort 3
Duration: Approximately two years, February 2027–December 2028
Location: Online, with planned international activities
Eligibility: Eligible IWA Young Water Professional members or Grundfos employees
Age: At least 18; no older than 35 by December 2028
Deadline: 5 November 2026; closing time and time zone not specified

What the fellowship offers

• Online onboarding and regular monthly meetings from February 2027 to December 2028.
• A planned initial in-person gathering in London, United Kingdom, and Bjerringbro, Denmark, during the first half of 2027.
• Capacity development in innovation, entrepreneurship, adoption and implementation.
• Peer-learning groups, project reviews and engagement with IWA and Grundfos experts.
• Opportunities to share and showcase fellows’ work and connect with previous cohorts.
• Participation in selected water-sector activities and events, including the 2028 IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition in Malaysia.

The final programme will be tailored to the selected fellows and requires active commitment throughout.

Travel and participation support

For required travel and in-person activities, the fellowship is expected to cover economy flights, meals, single-occupancy accommodation, relevant airport and venue transfers, travel insurance and visa application fees. Detailed arrangements will be provided to selected fellows, who must apply for their own visas.

The fellowship supports participation and professional development. It does not provide direct grants, investment or funding to implement fellows’ projects. Intellectual property remains with the respective fellows.

Who can apply?

Applicants must either hold an active IWA Young Water Professional membership or be an eligible Grundfos employee. Grundfos employees do not need IWA membership and must use the dedicated internal application route.

All applicants must:

• Be at least 18 and no older than 35 at the end of the fellowship in December 2028.
• Be involved in the water sector through study, research, employment, entrepreneurship or another relevant activity.
• Demonstrate leadership, collaboration and commitment to positive change in the water sector.
• Bring an existing innovation or solution, with tangible steps already taken to develop or validate it.
• Have a working knowledge of English and be available throughout the programme.
• Not be a former IWA & Grundfos Youth Action for SDG 6 Fellow, a current or former IWA Leadership Programme participant, or an IWA Mentorship Programme participant.

What kinds of innovations are eligible?

The call welcomes students, researchers, entrepreneurs and professionals with solutions at concept, prototype or early-pilot stage. An idea alone is insufficient: applicants must show concrete development or validation work. Establishing a company is not required.

The three broad focus areas are applied research and product or solution innovation; innovative financial mechanisms and business models; and capacity-building approaches that help people and organizations adopt water solutions.

Required application documents

• CV: Maximum two pages.
• Motivation letter: Maximum two pages, explaining your relevant experience, goals, contribution to the cohort and intended impact.
• Reference letter: One letter, maximum one page, ideally from an IWA member.
• Innovation proposal: Maximum two pages covering the problem, solution, intended users, development stage, work completed, barriers and what you aim to achieve through the fellowship.

How to apply

Submit your application and documents in English. IWA YWP members must sign in to IWA Connect Plus with active membership credentials to access the standard form. Eligible Grundfos employees should obtain the dedicated application link through internal communications or the relevant Grundfos team.

Apply through the IWA member form ↗

Deadline and selection

Apply by 5 November 2026. A closing time and time zone have not been specified. Interviews are tentatively planned for late November, with selected candidates expected to be announced in mid-December.