Submit Applications for Gulbenkian Water Grant Program (Portugal)
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The Gulbenkian Water Grant, offered by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, supports demonstration projects that promote soil health and the sustainable management of water in agriculture across Portugal.
Up to four initiatives will be selected in 2025, each receiving between €70,000 and €100,000 in funding.
This grant responds to the need for effective soil that improves water retention, infiltration, and resilience against extreme weather events like droughts and floods. It seeks peer-to-peer demonstration projects where farmers can observe best practices firsthand and understand their real-world impacts.
The aim of this grant is to empower organizations working within the agricultural sector—such as producer groups, competence centres, and similar actors—to expand hands-on learning opportunities. These organizations should facilitate practical, field-based learning that highlights sustainable approaches, risks, benefits, and long-term outcomes.
Funded projects must show a clear and measurable contribution to empowering farmers in adopting practices that enhance water absorption and ecological benefits. The techniques showcased should be adapted to specific crops and contexts and communicated effectively across the sector through peer learning.
The grant emphasizes the importance of strong partnerships and technical competence in planning and delivering demonstration activities. Applicants should bring solid experience in integrated soil and water management, the ability to organize activities on farms of diverse scales, and skills in mobilizing stakeholders to broaden the project’s impact. Communicating outcomes to the wider agricultural community is also an essential element.
This opportunity offers a meaningful path to accelerate the agricultural sector’s shift toward sustainable water and soil practices—helping farmers, organizations, and broader communities adopt innovations that foster resilience and environmental stewardship.
