Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity Grant

Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Fundacao Calouste Gulbenkian
Amount: Up to €1,000,000
Last Updated: December 09, 2025

Summary

The Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity, established by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, honors individuals and organizations addressing climate change. First awarded in 2020, this prestigious prize carries a €1 million award, recognizing transformative solutions and inspiring leadership in sustainability. Nominations are open globally, and the prize emphasizes the significance of innovative, scalable initiatives that promise long-term impact for both humanity and the environment. It aims to foster a more equitable and sustainable future.

Overview

Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation An international foundation, based in Portugal, which promotes the development of individuals and organisations, through art, science, education, and charity, for a more equitable and sustainable society. About the Prize The Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity is a manifestation of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation’s commitment to put sustainability at the heart of everything it does. First awarded in 2020, the Prize rewards individuals and organisations who are leading society’s efforts to tackle the single biggest challenge facing humanity today: climate change. With an award of €1 million, the Prize recognises outstanding contributions to climate action and climate solutions that inspire hope. It tells a story of possibility – showing us that we can build a better and more sustainable future. This is a Prize for Humanity, which puts people at the centre and celebrates human ingenuity in developing solutions to climate change. This is not a Prize that solely rewards technical innovation – it also rewards action by individuals, networks and organisations for the benefit of both humanity and nature. Areas of Recognition The Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity jury and Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation seek nominations that demonstrate: Evidence of transformative solutions and the potential for long-term change.Clear, scalable solutions with real impact and proven environmental and social benefits.Work that inspires and demonstrates active leadership.Ideas that meet today’s needs and anticipate tomorrow’s challenges. Since the Prize was launched in 2020, the independent Jury has recognised different approaches to tackling climate change, including youth mobilisation, coalition building, local solutions, scientific research, ecosystem restoration and sustainable agriculture. Selection Criteria The Jury is responsible for selecting the nominations according to the following criteria: Innovation: demonstrate innovative solutions and/or potential for long term transformational change.Impact: demonstrate widespread benefits for global environment and society and/or be scalable with potential for long-term impact.Inspiration: ability to serve as a model, show active leadership, or inspire others.Relevance of the nomination: timely, that is, taking into consideration the contribution it will make to address critical issues and challenges ahead. Prize Funding The Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity, granted yearly, is worth 1 million euros. In the event of more than one laureate being distinguished, the award will be equally divided. The Prize should be used in a way that maximizes the impact of the recipient’s work. It is not intended as a ‘lifetime achievement’ award, nor is it intended to be seed funding. The Prize recognises work that has the capability to scale and to benefit communities at both the local and global levels.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity is open to nominations of any individuals, organisations, or groups of people and organisations from around the world. They must be making a significant contribution to the development of solutions to tackle climate change. Nominations must demonstrate the reach or potential reach of outstanding results and provide highly relevant evidence of future impact.Nominations must come from a third party.The same person may nominate more than one candidate (an individual, an organisation, and/or a group of individuals and/or organisations as a collective application). Nominations from all over the world are welcome.

Ineligibility

The prize cannot be granted posthumously or to an organisation after ceasing its activity, nor to former members of the Jury of the Prize.Nominators cannot nominate themselves.Nominators cannot nominate their own organization if they are a member of the Board or its decision-making body.Nominators cannot nominate relatives or organizations that their relatives work for.