Stockholm Junior Water Prize

The Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) is considered the most prestigious international  award presented to a high school student who has conducted research in the water sciences. The purpose of the SJWP is to increase students' interest in water-related issues and research, and to sensitize them - as future leaders - to global water challenges. Founded by the Stockholm Water Foundation, Her Royal Highness, Crown Princess Victoria is the patron of the prize. Each year, in a ceremony that takes place during World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden, the international winner is awarded $15,000 USD and a blue crystal sculpture in the shape of a water droplet, crafted by Hanne Dreutler.

In the United States, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and its member associations, host the U.S. SJWP competition with support from Xylem, Inc. One winner is chosen amongst the state winners to travel to Stockholm, Sweden, to compete against winners from almost 40 other countries around the world. Each year, thousands of students compete for the grand prize but only one wins.

To be eligible to compete in the national competition, all students must enter and win in their state. The Florida Water Environment Association (FWEA) judges all entries and awards one winner first place and an opportunity to represent Florida in the national competition.

Eligibility

The competition is open to all high school students in grades 9-12, who have conducted a water-related science project and have reached the age of 15 by August 1^st of the competition year.

Individual students or teams of two may enter the competition.

Projects should be aimed at enhancing quality of life through the improvement of water quality, water resources management, or water and wastewater treatment.  Projects can explore water issues on local, regional, national or global issues. All projects must use a research-oriented approach using scientifically accepted methodologies for experimentation, monitoring, and reporting, including statistical analysis.

Judging Criteria

All entries will be judged by the same criteria as those used for the international competition and are rated in six categories:

• Relevance
• Creativity
• Methodology
• Subject knowledge
• Practical skills
• Paper and presentation

To view the judging criteria and view the paper guidelines, please see the below documents provided by WEF:

• US SJWP Judging Criteria 
• US SJWP National Paper Guidelines (PDF)

How To Enter

All 2025 SJWP entries are due by April 15, 2025.

All entries must be entered into the online application found here: Application (WEF.org)

Next Steps and Timeline

All eligible papers submitted for Florida will be sent to the Florida Water Environment Association (FWEA) SJWP State Coordinator. No less than three judges will review and rate each submission. The highest scoring entry will be offered first place and an opportunity to represent Florida at the U.S. national competition at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado. 

The first place winner be must be available to attend the U.S. national competition in June 2025. The airfare and hotel expenses (i.e. stay, not food) will be paid by the FWEA and WEF.

• April 15, 2025- All SJWP entries for Florida are due.
• April 30, 2025- The FWEA will contact all students who entered the competition to notify them of their status.
• May 5, 2025- State winners will be announced.

Prizes

The FWEA awards a first, second, and third place cash prize to its winners. These funds are provided by the FWEA. 

• First place- $1000 
• Second place- $500
• Third place- $250

The state winner or first place winner will also receive:

• A certificate and medallion provided by WEF.
• Paid flight and hotel expenses for travel and stay for participation in the national competition.
• An article announcing his/her win in the Florida Water Resources Journal (FWRJ).

The U.S. national winner will receive:

• A $10,000 scholarship and the national trophy (per project).
• An all-expenses-paid trip to Stockholm, Sweden, to compete in the SJWP international competition during World Water Week, August 24-28, 2025.
• A U.S. SJWP Winner framed certificate.

For More Information

To learn more about the Stockholm International Water Institute and the Water Prize, please visit: https://siwi.org/prizes/