ACCELERATING INNOVATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

WAITRO INNOVATION AWARD

SOLVING CHALLENGES AROUND THE GLOBE

The WAITRO Innovation Award is a competition open to all research and technology organizations (RTOs) that are members of WAITRO. Monetary prizes of USD 25,000 reward innovative proposals of project teams consisting of at least two WAITRO member organizations. WAITRO awards two outstanding project proposals every two years, during the biennial WAITRO Global Innovation Summit. The WAITRO Innovation Award is embedded in the WAITRO Innovation Ecosystem (SAIRA - Capacity Development Program - WAITRO Global Innovation Summit) and has a particular focus during each cycle which is decided by the WAITRO Executive Board.

HOW IT WORKS

BUILDING PROJECT TEAMS

Researchers of WAITRO member organizations form project teams. Project teams consist of at least two WAITRO members from different countries.
DEVELOPMENT OF JOINT PROJECT PROPOSALS

Project teams jointly develop innovative solutions to tackle global challenges.
APPLICATION FOR THE WAITRO INNOVATION AWARD

Project teams apply for the WAITRO Innovation Award. Get more information on the eligibility and evaluation criteria, the application and assessment procedures, and the required application documents below.
EVALUATION AND SHORTLISTING

Applications will be reviewed for eligibility by the Executive Board and the Secretariat and will then be forwarded to the Selection Committee. The Selection Committee selects the finalists.
WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING

Finalists will be invited to the workshops (costs covered by WAITRO).
WAITRO GLOBAL INNOVATION SUMMIT

Finalists will be invited to pitch their innovative project proposals at the WAITRO Global Innovation Summit (costs covered by WAITRO). Two projects will be awarded the WAITRO Innovation Award and will receive US$ 25,000 for project-related activities.

DETAILED INFORMATION

ELIGIBILITY

WAITRO MEMBERSHIP

Employees of research and technology organizations (RTOs) that are WAITRO members in good standing are eligible to apply for the WAITRO Innovation Award.

 

PROJECT TEAMS

To be eligible for the WAITRO Innovation Award, project teams have to consist of at least two WAITRO members from different countries. Only project proposals developed through SAIRA will be considered for the WAITRO Innovation Award.

Project teams for the Innovation Award can be formed in two ways on SAIRA:

  • Upload a challenge and/or project idea on SAIRA, so that other researchers can browse through your challenge and apply to join your team.
  • Browse through challenges and ideas uploaded by other researchers on SAIRA and submit your proposals.

Both these ways can mark the starting point for researchers to kick-start a collaboration and an application forthe WAITRO Innovation Award.

EXAMPLE: Partner A uploads challenge or project idea on SAIRA (RTO CHALLENGE – CREATE A BOTTOM-UP R&D PROJECT). Partner B shows interest in collaborating with Partner B and submits a proposal. (SHOW CHALLENGE – DRAFT A PROPOSAL – SAVE – SUBMIT PROPOSAL). Partner A accepts proposal of Partner B and invites Partner B to a workspace.

 

CHARACTERISTICS OF PROJECT PROPOSALS

Project teams from anywhere in the world who are in their early stages can apply. The WAITRO Innovation Award does not support events such as conferences or workshops.

EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Project proposals will be scored on their responsiveness in the four categories listed below by the Evaluation Committee. Finalists will have the highest overall score, without significant deficiencies in any single category (at least a score of 3 in every category).

Criteria  Description and quantifiable metrics Score  Weight 
Technical quality Innovative product or service, ground-breaking within the borders of the country or region where the intended beneficiary is located.

0 – 10

30%
Impact on Sustainability Goals Show how the idea can contribute to sustainable development and the SDGs. What concrete social impact does the idea have on the targeted populations/regions? Examples include potential to increase per capita income or improve quality of life (e.g. at least one of housing, food, water, energy, life expectancy, health, environmental quality, etc.), economic value created or significant contributions to productivity or competitiveness.

0 – 10

30%
Feasibility Potential for long-term financial sustainability. Net Present Value (NPV), revenue or economic value created by the innovation. Feasibility that idea will be quickly implemented and achieve financial sustainability within 5 years.

0 – 10

20%
Team Strength Quality of the technical team, commitment and ability to invest the time required to achieve success.

0 – 10

20%

 

APPLICATION MASK AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Applicants fill out the online application mask and upload project proposals(see template) and supporting documents. Please note that complete applications for the WAITRO Innovation Award are only accepted through the WAITRO Intranet.

 

ONLINE APPLICATION MASK

For your application, you will have to provide the following information:

  • Project Title
  • One-sentence Pitch
  • Project Team
  • Research Area
  • Key words
  • Sustainable Development Goal(s)
  • Team Leader Name
  • Email address
  • Executive Summary (maximum 1000 characters)
  • References

Furthermore, you have to submit your project proposal. You can download the template on the WAITRO Intranet. You may also upload additional documents that you feel may add value to your application.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

(PDF upload on the WAITRO Intranet)

  • Short outline of project proposal (template)
  • Written authorization of the company/partners for or with whom the project is undertaken
  • A declaration of agreement to apply for the award signed by all team members

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS (PDF upload on the WAITRO Intranet)

Copies of relevant publications and/or patent specifications concerning the innovation (if any)

  1. Project Title
  2. Project Organizations: Name all involved WAITRO Organizations
  3. Lead Researcher
    • Name
    • Qualifications
    • Affiliation
    • Project Experience
  4. Research Team
    • Names
    • Qualifications
    • Affiliation
    • Project Experience
  5. Problem Description: Describe the problem you are trying to tackle with your idea
  6. Project Proposal: Elaborate on technological advancement, market prospects, project timeline and estimated budget (maximum length five pages, 11pt font, 1” margins all round)
  7. Intended Use of WAITRO Innovation Award: Explain how you would use the WAITRO Innovation Award to advance your project

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Proponent entities or institutions, led by their legal representative, declare that the innovation and associated ideas presented are their own, are original and do not contain material from others, protected works or violate the copyright and industrial property of third parties. Proponent entities or institutions retain intellectual property and copyright of their ideas and solutions.

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USE OF PERSONAL DATA

WAITRO will collect the data supplied in order to contact and notify participants, as mentioned in this document, as well as to carry out promotional activities related to the WAITRO Innovation Award. Applicants authorize WAITRO for the use of their name, voice, photograph, brand, recorded interviews to be published jointly or separately, in any way or means that WAITRO deems appropriate, without violating the confidentiality of the details contained in the proposals.

FOCUS AREA: WATER

WAITRO INNOVATION AWARD 2020

Water is one of the world’s most precious resources yet water scarcity and water-related catastrophes are increasing around the globe. Because of the urgency and importance of this issue, the WAITRO Executive Board has agreed to make water a top priority. As the leading global network of RTOs, WAITRO aims to enable the development and implementation of technological solutions addressing water-related challenges around the globe.

TAKE ACTION

This information was updated on 22 January 2020.