AWWA Scholarship Program (Water Equation)
Offered by American Water Works Association
About This Scholarship
The American Water Works Association, the largest nonprofit association in the water sector, runs its Water Equation scholarship program as a single application window covering dozens of named awards for the 2027-28 academic year. All applications are due November 6, 2026, and one AWWA account login gets you considered across the slate.
The money is serious for a niche field. The flagship Abel Wolman Fellowship pays $30,000 for one year of doctoral study, with a second year of support available. Corporate-sponsored awards from firms like Carollo Engineers, CDM Smith, Hazen and Sawyer, and HDR run $10,000 each for graduate students doing drinking water research, and a long list of $5,000-$7,000 awards covers master's and doctoral students in engineering, environmental science, and public health. Undergraduates are not left out: the One AWWA Operator Scholarship line and a $5,000 undergraduate award for students interested in water careers accept applicants regardless of major.
Because so many awards share the window, this program rewards students who apply broadly. If you have any academic connection to drinking water, wastewater, or water resources - engineering, chemistry, policy, even finance - one application cycle covers the full menu.
Eligibility
- Undergraduate or graduate student (specific named awards target bachelor's, master's, or doctoral levels)
- Pursuing studies or research related to water supply, treatment, or the broader water sector
- Some corporate awards require research specifically in drinking water or wastewater topics
- An AWWA website account is required to apply (membership requirements vary by award)
How To Apply
- Go to the AWWA Scholarship Program page under Water Equation on awwa.org
- Log in to your AWWA account, or create a free account if you do not have one
- Complete the application, which routes you to the named scholarships you qualify for
- Submit by November 6, 2026 for all 2027-28 scholarships
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are AWWA scholarships worth?
Named awards range from about $5,000 to the $30,000 Abel Wolman Fellowship for doctoral students, which can extend to a second year of support. Many corporate-sponsored graduate awards pay $10,000.
Do I have to study engineering to qualify?
No. While many awards target engineering and environmental science, the $5,000 undergraduate scholarship is open to students regardless of area of study who are interested in water-sector careers.
Is there one application or many?
One window. Applications for all 2027-28 scholarships run through a single AWWA account login and close November 6, 2026.