Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian

Established in 1956 as a Portuguese foundation for the whole of humanity, the Gulbenkian Foundation was bequeathed by the last will and testament of Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian. The foundation is of perpetual duration and undertakes its activities structured around its headquarters in Lisbon (Portugal) and its delegations in Paris (France) and London (UK).

Mission

The foundation is a perpetual institution of Portuguese nationality with charitable, artistic, educational and scientific statutory aims.

It is committed to full independence and preservation of its heritage, and its main priority is defined as the development of a society that provides equal opportunities and that is sustainable.

Geographic Focus

Portugal, Europe, Portuguese-speaking African countries, East Timor, worldwide Armenian communities, and international

Programme Areas

Aligned with a national, European and global agenda, the foundation engages in a transversal approach spanning three activity areas:

– Art and Culture
– Social Development and Sustainability
– Science, Education and Health

Art and Culture
In addition to the permanent Collections of the Museums – Calouste Gulbenkian Museum and CAM (Modern Art Centre) –, the Art Library and Archives, the performances featuring in the Gulbenkian Music season and in which the Gulbenkian Orchestra and Choir always play a central role, the foundation also carries out a diverse range of other activities interconnected with the Arts: temporary exhibitions, conferences, awarding of grants and scholarships, training programmes, the Gulbenkian Prize for Heritage (renovation and restoration), publishing studies and running educational activities represent some of the foundation’s initiatives ongoing in this field.

Social Development and Sustainability
Awarded annually, the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity, to the tune of 1 million euros, aims to recognise people, groups of people and/or organisations from all over the world whose contributions to mitigation and adaptation to climate change stand out for its novelty, innovation and impact.

At the national level, the Gulbenkian Foundation provides incentives and facilitates the inclusion of vulnerable groups (the elderly, at-risk children and young persons, migrants and refugees) through the empowerment of people and organisations, promoting and experimenting with innovative solutions, through valuing the role of the arts as a means to promote change and social transformation, through promoting a transition to a more sustainable production and consumption (climate change, oceans, circular economy) as well as testing new financial models for social and environmental solutions.
At the international level, the foundation promotes and contributes to the preservation of Armenian culture and language and, especially in the PALOPs – the Portuguese Language Speaking Countries in Africa and East Timor, strengthens the capacities of people and institutions in key areas of social and economic development.

Science, Education and Health
Science, Education and Health have been core areas of activity for the last few decades and today the Gulbenkian Foundation strives to increase access to quality health care and improve the efficiency of health services (through implementation of science and behavioural change techniques), to develop and support projects that reinforce education and learning (in children, young persons and adults). In science, the foundation promotes world-class biological and biomedical scientific research, postgraduate and doctoral trainings and strengthens a science-society relationship. The Gulbenkian Foundation also invests in prospective analysis and discussion of the main issues concerning the future of Portugal, Europe and globally, and increasing the number of people capable of fostering adaptation and change.