Water, Science, and Youth Come Together at the University of Montpellier for the Future
The UNESCO International Centre for Water (ICIREWARD) and the Groupama Méditerranée Water Foundation are joining forces to launch the “Aqua Scientia” Award. Organized for the first time this year and awarded every two years, this prize aims to honor a male and a female researcher who have authored doctoral dissertations whose scientific work advances knowledge in the field of freshwater.
A lasting partnership dedicated to freshwater
Freshwater resources on land (rivers, lakes, wetlands, and groundwater) are vital but increasingly fragile. It provides most of our drinking water, regulates ecosystems, supports unique biodiversity, and is essential for all human activities, yet it can be devastating when present in excess (devastating floods) or in short supply (droughts).
Better understanding and managing this resource is a top priority. With this in mind, the UNESCO International Centre for Water (ICIREWARD), a leading research and training hub, and the Groupama Méditerranée Water Foundation, committed to water conservation in the Mediterranean region, are jointly launching the Aqua Scientia Prize, which aims to encourage young researchers working on this resource.
This award will recognize, in particular, the excellence, innovative nature, and scientific impact of applied research in fields related to inland freshwater resources—including quantity, management, allocation, and/or quality—with applications in at least one of the 14 Mediterranean departments covered by the Groupama Méditerranée Water Foundation*.
* Alpes de Haute-Provence, Alpes-Maritimes, Ardèche, Aude, Bouches-du-Rhône, Southern Corsica, Drôme, Gard, Upper Corsica, Hautes-Alpes, Hérault, Pyrénées-Orientales, Var, Vaucluse.
Given the complexity of water-related challenges, the two partners will pay particular attention to dissertation research that takes a multi-, inter-, or transdisciplinary approach, especially projects that foster collaboration among scientists, field practitioners, and public policymakers.
Two winners, one message: science for the future
The Aqua Scientia Prize is open to individuals who hold a doctoral degree and who defended their dissertation at a French university between January1, 2024, and December 31, 2025.A jury of experts (5 to 7 members) will select two winners—one woman and one man—who will each receive 5,000 euros to encourage them to continue their work. Beyond the monetary award, this prize highlights young scientists and their role in the ecological transition and the sharing of knowledge.
“Scientific excellence only has meaning if it is shared. The Aqua Scientia Prize recognizes research that advances knowledge and addresses global and local water-related challenges,”said Éric Servat, director of the UNESCO International Centre for Water Research (ICIREWARD).
According to Thierry Bonnery, president of the Groupama Méditerranée Water Foundation, “This award highlights the power of collaboration. It is by pooling our strengths and expertise that we will be able to innovate and preserve this essential resource. Recognizing young talent means investing in a sustainable future.”
Timeline and Outlook
For this inaugural edition, applications will be accepted from October 23, 2025, to February 22, 2026. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in Montpellier in July 2026. All information (rules, guidelines, and application form) is available on the websites of the UNESCO International Centre for Water ICIREWARD and the Groupama Méditerranée Water Foundation.
This award builds on the existing partnership between the two organizations, particularly through the Water Foundation’s support for the Water4Future student hackathon organized by the UNESCO International Centre for Water Education (ICIREWARD), which symbolizes a shared commitment to fostering innovation and research in the field of freshwater.