The NSTF-WRC Award to an individual, team, partnership or an organisation for outstanding contributions to science, engineering and technology (SET) and innovation in South Africa towards sustainable water management, knowledge generation and solutions over the last five to ten years.  To be awarded in recognition of demonstrated leadership, innovation and impact.

This award seeks to give recognition to the following contributions over the last five to ten years considered either together or separately.

• Leadership in water research, development and knowledge generation that considers transformation and growth of the human capital pipeline for sustainable water management in South Africa;
• Exceptional contributions towards informing and shaping the national water landscape through policy, decision-making and legislative enhancements. The work recognised could include knowledge-based advocacy.
• Innovations that demonstrate sustainable solutions to water challenges in South Africa. These could include technology, service, process, or social innovations with impact within, between and beyond organisational boundaries;
• Outstanding work in trans-disciplinary approaches and water projects towards the empowerment of communities; and
• Improved models for integrating water opportunities into entrepreneurship and new product developments that will have a positive impact on water management in South Africa.