National Geographic Deutschland and Bayer AG challenged scientists in 2005 to come up with innovative ideas to protect drinking water. Nine projects were selected to be financed from the "Global Exploration Fund" with a total of EUR 250,000 made available.
The shortage of fresh water is one of mankind's biggest global problems. Even now, 1.3 billion people have no access to clean drinking water. The aim of the joint research fund set up by
National Geographic Deutschland and Bayer was therefore to develop new processes for obtaining and treating freshwater and drinking water. Support was given to projects carried out by internationally operating German-speaking scientists and researchers in the German-speaking countries that deal with the tapping of new water supplies, water distribution and the sparing use of this valuable resource.
94 research scientists with projects in Europe, Africa, Asia and South America applied for a share of the fund. In a multi-step process, experts from Bayer, National Geographic Deutschland and the National Geographic Society in Washington selected nine projects to be financed from the exploration fund.