The fifth round of the Water Breakthrough Challenge (‘Breakthrough 5’) will make up to £40 million available to highly collaborative water-sector innovations, aiming to deliver benefits for customers, society and the environment.
In Breakthrough 5, Ofwat is eager to hear even bigger and bolder ideas, with a greater focus on generating and sharing knowledge, and rolling out successful innovations.
As in previous rounds of the Water Breakthrough Challenge, entries must be submitted in partnership with a water company (including NAVs ) in England or Wales. If you’re new to the water sector, but would like to participate in our future challenges, you’re encouraged to begin reaching out to water companies and Spring, the water sector’s centre of excellence for innovation.
Water companies who would like help to brief their staff or supply chain about the opportunities presented by Breakthrough 5 can email the delivery team ([email protected]).
The previous round, Water Breakthrough Challenge 4, concluded in 2024, with 17 winners awarded a total of £40 million. Learn about the previous challenge and the winning innovations.
In Breakthrough 5, water companies in England and Wales can bid for funding through two streams:
Individual entries can bid for £150,000 – £2 million.
Open: 9 September 2024 at 12 noon (BST)
Close: 6 January 2025 at 12 noon (GMT)
Following the closing date on 6 January 2025, entries will be checked for eligibility and assessed. A diverse portfolio of shortlisted entries that best meet the relevant assessment criteria will then be shared with an independent judging panel for its review. If you are successful in winning funding, you can expect to be notified by mid-April 2025.
Individual entries can bid for £2 million – £10 million*.
Open: 9 September 2024 at 12 noon (BST)
Close: Stage 1 closed on 30 September 2024. Entries are being checked for eligibility and assessed by a pool of technical assessors, who will recommend the most promising entries that align with the assessment criteria to Ofwat. Following Ofwat’s ratification, the shortlisted entries will be invited to enter stage 2, which closes on 13 January 2025 at 12 noon (GMT).
*Subject to certain conditions, Ofwat are open to accepting entries requesting greater than £10 million. The date for notifying Ofwat of the intention to do this was 16 September 2024.
