[1][2] The Prize has its headquarters at the Prince Sultan Research Center for Environment, Water and Desert (PSRCEWD) at King Saud University.
The work should provide a solution which is useful to society, contribute to development and social upliftment, be practical, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective.
However, the topic for the third specialized branch – alternative (non-traditional) water resources – will most frequently be related to desalination.
[16] The nominated works are evaluated by an international panel of scientists who serve on various specialized committees on one or more of the following three levels:[17] The secretariat of the Prize typically announces the names of the winners in October, with the Prizes being awarded at a formal ceremony held in November in conjunction with an academic conference.
The ceremony for the First Award was held on Sunday, 5 December 2004 at King Saud University along with the 1st International Conference on Water Resources and Arid Environments.
[18] The ceremony for the Second Award took place on 26 November 2006 concurrently with the 2nd International Conference on Water Resources and Arid Environments.
[20] The 11th Awards Ceremony[21] of the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water (PSIPW) was held under the Patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on 8 November at the United Nations Office in Vienna (UNOV), Vienna International Centre.