Nominations open for 2026 Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize
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Microbiologist Gertjan Medema (second from right), who began collecting wastewater samples across the Netherlands in early 2020 to test for the Sars-CoV-2 virus, was the 2024 recipient of the award.
PHOTO: ST FILE
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SINGAPORE – National water agency PUB is on the lookout for people who have done significant work in helping solve the world’s water problems – to eventually find one worthy of the next Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize.
Nominations for the 2026 prize – open to individuals and organisations around the world – began on April 16, and will close on July 11.
Given out every two years, the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize honours outstanding contributions by individuals or organisations towards solving the world’s water challenges by developing or applying innovative technologies, policies or programmes.
The prize is named after Singapore’s founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, who is credited for his vision and leadership that enabled the Republic to overcome its challenges as a water-scarce city-state to secure a resilient and sustainable water supply.
Since 2008, 10 laureates have received the award, from a Dutch academic who pioneered wastewater surveillance to curb the spread of Covid-19 to a Californian water agency that ran a successful water reuse programme.
That academic who was the 2024 recipient of the award was microbiologist Gertjan Medema,
His team was able to detect evidence of the virus in the wastewater of several cities even before official reports confirmed its presence.
Nominations for the prize involve two stages and should be submitted through .
In the first stage, the nominator submits a citation of the nominee. Self-nominations and entries by family members or colleagues from the same organisation will not be accepted.
In the second stage, the nominator submits a full nomination, including a write-up of the shortlisted hopeful’s technological innovation or water programme, recommendation letters and other supporting documents.
The water prize nominating committee will thoroughly evaluate all shortlisted nominations and make their recommendations to the water prize council, who will then decide on the next laureate, who will be announced in April 2026.
The laureate will receive $300,000, a gold medallion and a certificate at the 11th Singapore International Water Week conference in June 2026.
The award is presented in partnership with Temasek Foundation.
