Stanley Consultants and CWEEL Launched Innovation Challenge
The organizations are seeking new solutions for water, sanitation, and hygiene during crisis scenarios.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Remote Work
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Do you believe innovation challenges are effective at solving infrastructure problems in crisis-affected communities?
Stanley Consultants and CWEEL have officially launched the WASH Innovation Challenge to identify new methods for water, sanitation, and hygiene. The initiative encourages students, professionals, NGOs, and startups to develop systems that operate independently of traditional infrastructure.
Why it matters
The program seeks to address critical vulnerabilities in basic services by fostering concepts that provide rapid deployment, disease prevention, and relief during service disruptions. It targets innovation in sectors where traditional infrastructure may be compromised by large-scale crises.
The challenge offers a $1,000 cash prize to the winner, with participants permitted to submit up to three entries. Stanley Consultants, the firm hosting the initiative, has an operational history spanning 110 years.
The players
Stanley Consultants
This employee-owned engineering firm is headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, and boasts 110 years of industry experience.
CWEEL
This organization functions as a specialized division within the Association of Energy Engineers based in Atlanta, Georgia.
The details
Participants are tasked with submitting concepts that address rapid service deployment, disease prevention, and resilient operation during infrastructure failures. Entrants retain full ownership of their intellectual property throughout the competition.
Timeline
October 8, 2026: The WASH Innovation Challenge was officially launched.
November 9, 2026: The deadline for all project submissions.
January 2027: Finalists are scheduled to present their concepts.
February 2027: The challenge winners will be selected.
Market Landscape
This partnership highlights the industry-wide trend of engineering firms leveraging professional associations to crowdsource crisis-resilient infrastructure solutions. It positions these organizations as key hubs for developing specialized technology that fills gaps left by traditional utility providers.
Professionals, students, and startups looking to contribute to global infrastructure resilience can participate in the challenge to secure funding for their concepts. Because entrants retain intellectual property rights, the contest provides a low-risk avenue to showcase professional expertise.
The takeaway
This initiative underscores the importance of developing decentralized infrastructure that can function reliably during disasters. By retaining intellectual property, participants can continue to develop their innovative technologies independently after the competition concludes.
What happens next
Finalists will present their proposed sanitation and hygiene concepts in January 2027, followed by the selection of the winning entry in February 2027 and formal recognition at the 2027 AEE World Conference.
Further reading
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Live Poll
Do you believe innovation challenges are effective at solving infrastructure problems in crisis-affected communities?
