Deadline: 11-Oct-2026
The Neptune State Prize for Water recognizes outstanding projects, research, educational initiatives, artistic works, and regional actions that promote sustainable water management and water protection in Austria. The prize celebrates innovative approaches that strengthen public awareness, scientific advancement, climate resilience, cultural engagement, and responsible use of water resources.
The competition is open to a broad range of participants, including individuals, researchers, artists, schools, municipalities, NGOs, companies, and community organizations, with prizes awarded across multiple categories.
About the Neptune State Prize for Water
The Neptune State Prize for Water is one of Austria’s leading initiatives dedicated to promoting awareness, innovation, and engagement around water-related issues.
The award highlights projects and ideas that contribute to:
- Water protection
- Sustainable water management
- Climate adaptation
- Environmental conservation
- Public awareness and education
- Scientific research and innovation
- Cultural and artistic engagement
- Regional water stewardship
The programme encourages participation from both professional and community-based actors working to protect and promote water resources.
Programme Objectives
The prize aims to:
- Raise awareness about the importance of water
- Encourage sustainable use of water resources
- Promote innovative water-related solutions
- Support climate adaptation initiatives
- Strengthen public engagement in water protection
- Recognize scientific and technological advances
- Encourage artistic and cultural reflection on water
- Highlight successful regional water projects
- Foster collaboration between communities, researchers, and institutions
The award recognizes both practical and creative approaches to addressing water-related challenges.
Award Categories
The competition is divided into five categories.
Water Education
The Water Education category recognizes projects that improve public understanding of water protection and sustainable water use.
Eligible activities may include:
- Educational programmes
- School-based projects
- Awareness campaigns
- Community engagement initiatives
- Knowledge-sharing activities
- Creative learning approaches
- Public participation programmes
Projects should demonstrate measurable impact in increasing awareness and understanding of water-related issues.
Water Education Prize
Funding available:
- Total prize pool of €5,000
The amount is distributed among the top three entries in this category.
WaterResearch
The WaterResearch category supports scientific, technical, and industrial innovation related to water protection and sustainable water management.
Eligible projects may focus on:
- Water resource management
- Environmental protection
- Scientific research
- Technological innovation
- Sustainable water solutions
- Industrial water applications
- Climate-related water challenges
- Research and development activities
Projects should contribute to improved understanding, protection, or management of water resources.
WaterResearch Prize
Funding available:
- Total prize pool of €5,000
The award is shared among the three highest-ranked submissions.
WaterCreative
The WaterCreative category celebrates artistic and cultural interpretations of water.
The category welcomes projects from:
- Visual arts
- Performing arts
- Literature
- Architecture
- Multimedia projects
- Experimental art
- Interdisciplinary creative works
Projects should demonstrate meaningful artistic engagement with water as a theme, subject, or source of inspiration.
WaterCreative Prize
Funding available:
- Total prize pool of €5,000
The top three submissions receive awards from the category prize fund.
WaterRegional
The WaterRegional category recognizes local and regional initiatives that contribute to water protection and climate resilience.
Eligible activities may include:
- River protection projects
- Lake conservation initiatives
- Renaturation activities
- Flood management solutions
- Drinking water protection
- Wastewater management projects
- Climate adaptation initiatives
- Community awareness programmes
- Environmental stewardship activities
Projects should demonstrate positive impacts within local or regional communities.
WaterRegional Prize
Funding available:
- €3,000 for the winning project
The category highlights practical solutions that improve water sustainability at the regional level.
WaterVienna
The WaterVienna category is a public competition focused on photography, images, and video content.
The theme is:
- “My Viennese Water Moment”
Participants are invited to share creative visual interpretations of their personal connection to water in Vienna.
Eligible submissions may include:
- Photographs
- Digital images
- Video content
- Creative visual storytelling
Selected entries participate in a public voting process.
WaterVienna Prize
Funding available:
- Total prize pool of €3,000
The top three entries receive awards based on competition results and public participation.
Who Can Apply?
The prize welcomes participation from a wide range of stakeholders.
Eligible applicants include:
- Companies
- Associations
- Clubs
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Municipalities
- Schools
- Educational institutions
- Researchers
- Artists
- Community groups
- Private individuals
Different categories may be particularly relevant to specific applicant groups.
Opportunities for Private Individuals
Private individuals are especially encouraged to participate in:
- WaterVienna
- Public voting activities linked to WaterVienna
- Public voting activities linked to WaterRegional
These categories provide opportunities for community involvement and public engagement.
Eligible Project Themes
Projects should relate to one or more of the following themes:
- Water protection
- Sustainable water use
- Climate adaptation
- Environmental conservation
- Water education
- Scientific research
- Innovation and technology
- Cultural engagement
- Public awareness
- River and lake preservation
- Drinking water management
- Wastewater systems
- Regional sustainability initiatives
Projects that demonstrate clear benefits for water resources and society are encouraged.
Why This Prize Matters
Water is one of the world’s most important natural resources and plays a critical role in environmental sustainability, climate resilience, public health, and economic development.
The Neptune State Prize for Water helps:
- Promote responsible water management
- Encourage environmental innovation
- Support climate adaptation efforts
- Increase public awareness
- Recognize scientific excellence
- Celebrate artistic engagement with environmental issues
- Strengthen local and regional sustainability initiatives
- Encourage community participation in water protection
By showcasing diverse approaches to water stewardship, the prize contributes to long-term environmental sustainability and public engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can participate in the Neptune State Prize for Water?
Companies, NGOs, municipalities, schools, educational institutions, artists, researchers, associations, clubs, and private individuals are eligible to participate. - How many award categories are available?
There are five categories: Water Education, WaterResearch, WaterCreative, WaterRegional, and WaterVienna. - What is the prize amount for Water Education?
A total of €5,000 is distributed among the top three entries. - What types of projects are eligible for WaterResearch?
Scientific, technical, industrial, and research projects focused on water protection and sustainable water management. - Can artists participate in the competition?
Yes. Artists can apply through the WaterCreative category, which supports a wide range of artistic disciplines. - What is the WaterVienna competition?
WaterVienna is a public photo, image, and video competition based on the theme “My Viennese Water Moment.” - What does WaterRegional support?
Regional and local initiatives focused on water protection, climate adaptation, flood management, renaturation, drinking water systems, wastewater management, and community awareness.
Conclusion
The Neptune State Prize for Water 2026 celebrates innovation, education, research, creativity, and community action that contribute to sustainable water management in Austria. Through five dedicated categories and multiple prize opportunities, the programme recognizes the diverse ways individuals and organizations can help protect water resources, strengthen climate resilience, and inspire greater public engagement with one of society’s most valuable natural assets.
For more information, visit Neptune State Prize for Water.