To be eligible for the Stockholm Water Prize, the following criteria must be fulfilled:

• The candidate shall have attained outstanding achievements of lasting significance for sustainable use and protection of the world’s water resources.
• The results achieved by the candidate shall have proven impact or great potential and provide stimulation for further important contributions to the conservation and protection of water resources and to improved health and well-being of the planet’s inhabitants and ecosystems.

Anyone can submit a nomination for the Stockholm Water Prize, however, self-nominations or nominations by persons with direct professional or family ties to the candidate are not permitted.

Nominations are confidential and this also applies to all award nomination materials.

The main achievements of the candidate should be within one or both of the following categories:

Policy and Practices

This broad category covers achievements in the continuum from political initiatives to practical implementation that has improved the governance and management of water, as a natural and economic resource and/or as a human right and basic service. The category includes:

• Human rights, conflict resolution, influence on policies, international cooperation with application in the water sector
• Sustainable and safe management of water resources
• Provision of water supply and sanitation services
• Development and application of appropriate technologies

Research

This category includes both basic and applied research to develop new knowledge of and scientific leadership in:

• Natural, physical, and/or technological processes
• The functioning of complex systems
• Development or improvement of economical, legislative, institutional or administrative principles for efficient, equitable and sustainable water management and service provision.
• For both categories, great achievements in outreach and awareness-raising are considered merits. This includes education and training of students, water professionals or communities as well as dissemination of information to and awareness-raising of decision-makers and the general public

The initial nomination begins by submitting the name of the nominee along with a brief (500 words max.) statement of accomplishment.

Anyone can submit a nomination for the Stockholm Water Prize, however, self-nominations or nominations by persons with direct professional or family ties to the candidate are not permitted.

The Committee works in two steps:

• After the first screening of all nominations, the Committee develops a shortlist. Nominators of shortlisted candidates will be contacted and asked to submit a full nomination (a comprehensive compilation of the candidate’s accomplishments, CV, list of publications, evaluation reports etc and at least two letters of recommendation).
• Shortlisted nominations are thereafter further reviewed so that the Nominating Committee can arrive at a shortlist of only three candidates in ranked order.

Nominations are confidential and this also applies to all award nomination materials.

A good nomination is key to communicating a candidate’s qualifications to the Stockholm Water Prize Nomination Committee.

• Represent your candidate – Poorly-prepared or incomplete nominations will not highlight the accomplishments and place the candidate at a disadvantage.
• Help the nominating Committee – Well-written and concise nominations allow the committee members to clearly understand the candidate’s achievements and use their time effectively when evaluating nominations.
• Provide sufficient but concise information –  Plan your argument– Outline your potential candidate’s qualifications, comparing them to the award criteria. This will make it easier to compose your argument. Be certain to address each of the criteria.
• Fill out the nomination form completely – Make sure you have filled out all applicable fields in a legible manner.