FAM Foundation Grants 2026 – Finalists Pitch Day Event
FINALISTS PITCH DAY AND CONFERENCE
The Finalists Pitch Day of the FAM Foundation Grants 2026, dedicated to Sustainable Development Goal 14 – Life Below Water, will bring together 20 outstanding finalist projects selected from research centres, universities and other research organisations across Portugal.
Taking place on 16 November 2026, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at the Auditorium Fundação Árpád Szenes-Vieira da Silva Museum, the Pitch Day will give the selected research teams the opportunity to present their projects directly to the FAM Foundation Board and a panel of independent experts.
The event celebrates scientific excellence, innovation and applied impact, while reinforcing the FAM Foundation’s commitment to the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of marine and coastal ecosystems.
This year’s finalist projects reflect the breadth of challenges currently facing the ocean and the diversity of approaches required to address them. The proposals cover areas including marine biodiversity and ecosystem restoration, sustainable fisheries and bycatch reduction, pollution prevention, sustainable aquaculture, blue biotechnology, climate and ocean monitoring, deep-sea ecosystems, citizen science, ocean literacy and capacity building.
Many projects also demonstrate a strong focus on moving from scientific knowledge to practical implementation, bringing together researchers, companies, fishing communities, public authorities and civil society to develop solutions with the potential to be tested, replicated and scaled.
The FAM Foundation Grants 2026 Finalists Pitch Day is therefore not only a moment to select the projects that will receive funding, but also an opportunity to connect outstanding marine research with the people and organisations capable of turning knowledge into measurable impact for the ocean.
SUBMITTED PROJECTS
The 20 finalist projects were selected from approximately 40 proposals submitted by 10 research centres and organisations working across marine science, sustainability and ocean innovation.
The applications demonstrate the strength and diversity of marine research being developed by Portuguese institutions, with projects addressing challenges in mainland Portugal, the Azores and Madeira, while also extending scientific cooperation and impact to contexts including Cabo Verde and Angola, as well as the wider Atlantic, Mediterranean and Antarctic regions.
The proposals range from fundamental and applied marine science to technological development, conservation, sustainable aquaculture, biotechnology, participatory approaches and new models for translating scientific evidence into improved management and decision-making.
The quality and diversity of the applications submitted in 2026 demonstrate a strong commitment from the research community to developing science-based solutions capable of generating tangible environmental, social and economic impact, in line with SDG 14 and the wider United Nations 2030 Agenda.
FINALISTS AND PRESENTATION PROGRAMME
The Finalists Pitch Day will bring together, in Lisbon, 20 finalists from prestigious research centres and other organisations from across the country for a full day dedicated to project presentations and scientific networking.
From deep-sea ecosystems to coastal communities, the FAM Foundation 2026 finalist projects reflect the urgent need to protect and restore ocean health. These 20 initiatives address some of the most pressing marine challenges of our time — from biodiversity loss and pollution, to the erosion risks driven by climate change. Whether restoring seahorse habitats, developing nature-based aquaculture models, or reducing the impact of antibiotic resistance in wastewater, each project represents a bold scientific response to the goals of SDG 14 – Life Below Water.
Thematic diversity is as rich and dynamic as the ocean itself: the finalists include cutting-edge research on plastic toxicity in fish populations, multitrophic and regenerative aquaculture systems, deep-sea biodiversity conservation, coastal resilience in the face of sea level rise, and the valorisation of invasive species as sustainable resources. Other projects explore citizen science monitoring, the genomic mysteries of deep-sea corals, and innovative biotechnologies for marine remediation. This wide range of approaches not only showcases the strength of the Portuguese scientific community, but also its creativity and determination to act on behalf of the ocean.
Together, these projects represent a new wave in marine science — applied, collaborative, and deeply aligned with global sustainability goals. They offer hope and solutions in a time of ecological urgency, reaffirming that science, when guided by purpose, holds the power to regenerate what has been degraded.
During Pitch Day, each researcher will have 15 minutes — including 12 minutes for the presentation and 3 minutes for one question and feedback — to present their proposal.
The event will also include dedicated networking sessions, fostering knowledge exchange and dialogue among researchers and stakeholders, as well as opportunities for collaboration and strengthened inter-institutional connections.
As a preliminary structure, the table below outlines the provisional presentation schedule, including the research institutions and principal investigators of the 20 finalist teams. This draft agenda is subject to confirmation and may be adjusted to accommodate logistical considerations and researcher availability.
TIME | ACTIVITY | ORGANIZATION | PROJECT | RESEARCHER |
9h00 | Boarding | FAM Foundation | ||
9h30 | Welcome | FAM Foundation | ||
10h00 | Pitch 1 | MARE | SEAHORSE SENTINELS | Marta Silva Pimentel |
10h15 | Pitch 2 | +ATLANTIC CoLAB | PROJECT 19 | Tiago Garcia |
10h30 | Pitch 3 | AIMM | CO-OCEAN | Joana Castro |
10h45 | Pitch 4 | CQE | LITORAL | Isabel Marrucho |
11h00 | Pitch 5 | MARE | SOS PELLETS | Ana Pires |
11h15 | Pitch 6 | CENTEC | TEMAR | Maria Bernardino |
11h30 | Pitch 7 | CCMAR | HALOZYME | Maria João Rodrigues |
11h45 | Pitch 8 | CIVG | +SUSTIMTAVEL | Tiago Verdelhos |
12h00 | Pitch 9 | CCMAR | SPAWNFISH | Adela Belackova |
12h15 | Pitch 10 | CIMA | AMOR-TOXIC | Nélia Mestre |
12h30 | Pitch 11 | CESAM | NÔS PÊXI | Lourenço Ramos-Pinto |
12h45 | Pitch 12 | CCMAR | DEEPMINE-SUB | Caio Cesar Ribeiro |
13h00 | Lunch & Networking | |||
14h15 | Pitch 13 | CCMAR | CORALICA | Lélia Matos |
14h30 | Pitch 14 | CIVG | AQUAGUARD | Tiago Verdelhos |
14h45 | Pitch 15 | CCMAR | NODARK | Nathalie Marquet |
15h00 | Pitch 16 | OKEANOS | FLOMAR | Marina Carreiro-Silva |
15h15 | Pitch 17 | CCMAR | SEEDGRASS | Aschwin H. Engelen |
15h30 | Pitch 18 | CIMA | UNCODIT | Cármen Sousa |
15h45 | Pitch 19 | MARE | IMPOSSIBLE THINGS | Diane Esson |
15h45 | Pitch 20 | CCMAR | FISHALGAETECH | Monika Jadwiga Szynaka |
16h00 | Closing Remarks | FAM Foundation |
PANEL OF EVALUATORS
The evaluators for the Finalists Pitch Day event will be represented by Board Members:
Ana Menéres Mendonça, FAM Foundation Founder & President of the Board
Luís Vasconcelos, FAM Foundation Advisory Board;
José Archer, FAM Foundation Advisory Board; President, ABAAE – Associação Bandeira Azul de Ambiente e Educação; Founding Partner, Correia Afonso Archer & Associados; Board Member and Advisor with extensive experience in environmental governance and corporate law.
The panel of expert evaluators includes operational specialists in impact investment from the FAM Foundation & Positive Benefits, complemented by independent professionals with expertise in marine science, conservation, and water systems. This multidisciplinary group ensures a rigorous and well-rounded evaluation process, combining technical, environmental, and socio-economic perspectives:
Nuno Frazão, Operational Manager, FAM Foundation; Founder, Positive Benefits
Mafalda Sarmento, Operational Consultant, FAM Foundation; Sustainability Officer, Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics; Research and Project Developer, Center for Responsible Business and Leadership, Consultant;
Raquel Gaião Silva, Associate, Faber Ocean/Climate Tech; Executive Board Member, BlueBio Alliance;
Pedro Póvoa, Associate Partner, Positive Benefits; Founder, Wateresuse; Research Reviewer, International Water Association (IWA);
José Alexandre Sarmento, Startups Coordinator, Web Summit; Specialist Advisor in Blue Economy and Biotechnology; former Business Developer, Inclita Seaweed Solutions;
Francisco Lufinha, Industrial Engineer and Entrepreneur; Ocean Adventurer and World Record Holder; Developer of innovative ocean educational projects and international speaker.
FAM Foundation may also engage additional independent expert consultants to provide further technical and scientific evaluation when necessary.
FAM Foundation is committed with the sustainable development goals.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
