The Water Efficiency Lab (WEL) is a new fund with a budget of £25m over the next five years to help address water efficiency challenges and develop new approaches to saving water. There will be a specific focus each year – for the first year (WEL1) it is about using data to help customers understand their water usage and take steps to reduce it. This can include smart data platforms for customers, monitoring systems to track water usage and combined leak detection and consumption systems.
Applications will be accepted from a range of different innovators and organisations such as water companies, behavioural science firms, tech companies, software developers, hardware manufacturers, consultancies, non-profit organisations and universities.
Grants will be between £150,000 and £1.5m and can cover up to 90% of costs; 10% match funding is required which can be cash or in kind.
Focus of fund/fund aims:
A new annual competition to unlock and scale innovations that reduce water use by households and businesses
Application deadline:
10 March 2026
Fund description:
https://waterinnovation.challenges.org/water-efficiency-lab/