UAE Water Aid starts accepting applications for Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award worth $1 million

Dubai, UAE, 17 March 2016: HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia), has announced that the Foundation is now accepting applications for the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award. The million-dollar Award was launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The Award is presented by Suqia, under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, to find sustainable solutions for water scarcity, by using solar energy to purify and desalinate water. The announcement coincides with World Water Day, which takes place on 22 March each year.

“This global award, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, confirms the UAE’s commitment to sustainability and finding sustainable solutions to water scarcity around the world. This supports the efforts of Dubai and the UAE to actively help alleviate the suffering of the needy around the world. His Highness once observed that, “We will always be there to lend a helping hand to our brothers and friends, and to the destitute and the needy, wherever they might be,”” said Al Tayer.

The UAE Water Aid Foundation encourages organisations, research centres, and innovators from around the world, to compete to find sustainable and innovative solutions to water shortages, by using solar energy. The Foundation is working to provide potable water to the needy, the disadvantaged, and the distressed around the world. It contributes to finding permanent solutions to water shortages around the world, by using modern technologies and providing new and innovative solutions for societies that suffer from water shortages, scarcity, and pollution. The Foundation also conducts studies and research to combat water scarcity using solar energy. It partners with international educational and academic institutions to achieve this goal,” added Al Tayer.

Al Tayer noted that the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award comprises three categories. The Innovative Projects Award is worth $500,000. The Innovative Research and Development Award is worth $400,000 and has two categories: National institutions and International institutions. The Innovative Youth Award is worth $100,000. 

“The evaluation criteria includes technology, design, environmental alignment, creativity, innovation, health and safety, and sustainability. The Innovative Projects Award is presented to organisations that innovate excellent projects for producing, desalinating, or purifying water using solar power. It includes two sub-categories: Small Projects and Large Projects. Applicants for the Innovative Research and Development category must submit innovative technologies or prototypes for using solar energy to produce, desalinate, purify, or effectively manage water resources. It includes two sub-categories: National Institutions and International Institutions. Applicants for the Innovative Youth Award must present innovative technological solutions to address water scarcity using solar energy to produce safe drinking water. Applicants must be below the age of 40. The project must be developed and implemented by individuals, not groups,” said Mohammed Abdulkareem Al Shamsi, Acting Executive Director of the UAE Water Aid Foundation.

More information on the terms and conditions of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award are available on www.suqia.ae.