The U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) was founded in 1997 by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) to complement the Stockholm Water Prize. The SJWP is the world's most prestigious award presented to a high school student for a water-research project.

Encouraging young minds

The SJWP aims to increase students’ interest in water issues, research, and careers, as well as to raise awareness about global water challenges. The competition is open to projects focused on improving water quality, water resource management, water protection, and drinking water and wastewater treatment.

The competition draws more than 10,000 entries from over 30 countries. National winners participate in the Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) which gathers imaginative young minds from all over the world, encouraging their continued interest in water and sustainability issues. international final held in Stockholm.

The competition

The competition is open to any high school student in grades 9 through 12, who has conducted a water-related science project and reached the age of 15 by Aug. 1 of the competition year. In the U.S., the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and its Member Associations (Including MWEA) organize the regional, state, and national competitions. Click HERE for entry rules and requirements.

The U.S. SJWP competition will be hosted by WEF in summer 2026 - more information to come! The International SJWP competition will be held during World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden, in August 2026. Students from 40 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico will be competing. The winner will receive $10,000 USD and will represent the United States in the international competition during World Water Week. Traditionally, World Water Week events include a royal ceremony during which the patron of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, presents the winner with $15,000 USD.