Call for Applications
The American Membrane Technology Association (AMTA) is pleased to announce a call for applicants for the Ian C. Watson Fellowship for Membrane Advancement.
The Fellowship is awarded to a graduate student currently enrolled in a university and pursuing a full-time Masters degree or PhD at a University in North America with a research focus on innovations in membrane technology for the treatment of water or wastewater in municipal, industrial, or agricultural applications.
Ian C. Watson Fellowship Details
| Length of Award: | 1 year (2025-26 academic year) |
| Amount of Award: | $10,000 |
| Requirements: | Research must pertain to the advancement of membrane technology in the water industry. The research must be consistent with AMTA’s vision to “solve water supply and quality issues through the widespread application of membrane technology.” |
| Possible areas of study are: |
|
The Ian C. Watson Fellowship awardee is required to attend and share their research through a podium presentation at the 2026 Membrane Technology Conference in Myrtle Beach, SC (February 2-5, 2026). MTC registration fees and travel expenses, including accommodations at the host hotel, are to be covered by the awardee using award funds.
Application Deadline: Wednesday, April 16, 2025 11:59 PM Pacific Time
About Membrane Technology
Advanced treatment of alternative water supplies is becoming increasingly critical for long-term water security, and most such alternatives – including brackish groundwater, seawater, and recycled wastewater – require both membrane filtration and desalination technology. Accordingly, innovations in membrane technology have significant potential to reduce the cost, energy, and environmental impact of advanced treatment, yielding clean, safe, abundant, and cost-effective water supplies across the United States and throughout the world.
About AMTA Fellowships
As the leading professional association dedicated specifically to membrane treatment technology and research, AMTA administers fellowship awards for university students researching the use of membranes for water treatment. With nearly $500,000 awarded since 2007, AMTA’s research fellowships lead to cutting-edge innovations in membrane technology and provide career development for some of our brightest young minds.
AMTA established the $10,000 Ian C. Watson Fellowship for Membrane Advancement in honor of Ian Watson’s distinguished career dedicated to the beneficial application of membrane technology and his positive influence on both novice and seasoned membrane practitioners. Ian is a modern pioneer of membrane processes and served as AMTA’s first Executive Director.
