NEWSLETTER 2 | 2026
“Supporting science is not only about funding research. It is about giving promising ideas the opportunity to become solutions — solutions that can protect ecosystems, strengthen communities and create a more sustainable future.”
FAM Foundation Newsletter 2 | 2026
2026 has been a year of growth, continuity and new impact for the FAM Foundation.
As we look ahead to the next generation of FAM Grants, we are also beginning to see the first signs of impact from the projects already underway. The five initiatives funded in 2025/26 have now submitted their six-month progress reports, showing encouraging progress and giving us a clearer picture not only of what the projects are doing, but also of what they are beginning to change. This edition of the FAM Foundation newsletter reflects that same sense of continuity and momentum — from projects already delivering results, to new initiatives in humanitarian support, sport, music and marine science that continue to expand the Foundation’s impact.
At the same time, our commitment to science and ocean impact has continued to grow significantly.
The FAM Grants 2026 attracted close to 40 proposals from 10 national research centres, in what has been one of the most competitive editions of the programme to date. The quality and diversity of the applications were remarkable, covering areas including marine biodiversity and ecosystem restoration, sustainable fisheries and bycatch, aquaculture, pollution prevention, blue biotechnology, climate change, deep-sea ecosystems, ocean monitoring, digital innovation, citizen science and ocean literacy. The geographical scope has also expanded. Alongside projects covering mainland Portugal, the Azores and Madeira, several proposals developed international scientific cooperation and field activities in Africa, including Angola and Cabo Verde.
Through the FAM Awards, the FAM Foundation recognises and supports initiatives that promote excellence, talent and human development across different fields. Within this programme, culture and music play an important role in creating opportunities for young people to develop their potential, gain recognition and engage with high-quality national and international platforms. As in previous years, the Foundation continued to support the Santa Cecília International Piano Festival, an initiative that brings together exceptional young musicians and contributes to the development of emerging pianists through competition, performance, learning and international exchange. FAM’s involvement also includes the attribution of a dedicated FAM Award, reinforcing the recognition of young talent and supporting artistic progression at a critical stage of musicians’ careers.
Through our FAM Sponsorship programme, we continued to invest in young people and their potential. The first year of the Equipa Vela Portugal Júnior, developed with the Portuguese Sailing Federation, brought together more than 70 young sailors, 12 coaches and 5 technical coordinators, creating stronger training opportunities and a more structured pathway towards international competition and high-performance sailing. The programme has already delivered encouraging international results and, importantly, two young sailors reached Olympic Hope status, strengthening their pathway towards future Olympic participation.
Through our FAM SOS Fund, we have also responded to the continuing human consequences of the war in Ukraine. In 2026, FAM is supporting the Ukrainian Charity Foundation Children of Heroes, which provides long-term support to children who have lost one or both parents as a result of the war. The organisation currently supports more than 15,400 vulnerable children across Ukraine. FAM's SOS Grant supported a programme combining family case management and psychological rehabilitation. It will help sustain dedicated Family Helpers, providing continuous support to more than 1,000 families and approximately 1,600 children, while also funding around 220 professional psychological consultations for children and guardians coping with trauma, grief and displacement.
From research to measurable impact
The five projects funded under the FAM Grants 2025/26 programme have now submitted their six-month progress reports, showing positive progress across their respective work plans.
Led by Hope Zones Foundation, this project develops a science-based regenerative seaweed farm on the Atlantic coast of Nazaré. By cultivating native kelp species, it aims to restore marine habitats, promote biodiversity, assess blue carbon potential and create sustainable opportunities for local fishing communities.
Developed by QCE – Centro de Química Estrutural at Faculdade de Ciências, this project advances next-generation water desalination through engineered nanoporous carbon electrodes. It seeks to improve water treatment efficiency while contributing to more sustainable and resilient solutions for water scarcity and marine resource management.
Led by CCMAR – Centro de Ciências do Mar do Algarve at the University of Algarve, this project transforms the ecological challenge of the invasive seaweed Rugulopteryx okamurae into an opportunity for health innovation. It explores the potential of this marine biomass as a source of natural Vitamin K1 and novel bioactive compounds.
Developed by CIVG – Centro de Investigação Vasco da Gama at EUVG, this project assesses the toxicity of plastic pollutants and their effects on fishery resources, ecosystem health and food quality. By studying how plastics impact aquatic organisms, it contributes to stronger scientific evidence for marine pollution prevention.
Led by CENTEC – Centre for Marine Technology and Ocean Engineering at Instituto Superior Técnico, this project focuses on structural monitoring and integrity analysis of subsea pipelines. By combining engineering tools and digital monitoring, it aims to prevent marine pollution and improve the safety of critical offshore infrastructure.
This first reporting milestone is particularly important for the FAM Foundation. Beyond supporting high-quality research, we want to understand what is being produced, what is changing as a result, and how each project can move from scientific knowledge towards practical application and long-term impact.
Alongside this ongoing portfolio, the 2026 FAM Grants selection process is now bringing forward a new generation of projects. The exceptionally competitive call demonstrates the breadth, quality and ambition of Portuguese marine science — and reinforces the Foundation’s commitment to supporting solutions capable of protecting and restoring life below water.
The 20 Finalist Projects for the FAM Foundation Grants 2026
We are also delighted to announce the 20 finalist projects selected for the FAM Foundation Grants 2026, following a highly competitive evaluation process involving approximately 40 applications from 10 research centres and organisations. The selected projects reflect the strength, diversity and ambition of marine research and innovation linked to Portuguese institutions, addressing critical challenges related to biodiversity, ecosystem restoration, pollution, sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, blue biotechnology, deep-sea ecosystems and ocean resilience. Together, they represent a strong commitment to advancing SDG 14 – Life Below Water through science-based solutions with the potential to generate meaningful environmental, social and economic impact.
In line with its continued commitment to supporting culture and young talent, the FAM Foundation, as in previous years, supported the festival’s ceremony through the attribution of a dedicated prize, recognising excellence and encouraging the artistic development of participating pianists.
Santa Cecília International Piano Festival 2026
The Santa Cecília International Piano Festival 2026 entered in new stage in its history, reflecting a broader, integrated and cross-disciplinary programme. The competition remains the Festival’s central axis, taking place entirely at Casa da Música, while the programme extends across the city of Porto through concerts and masterclasses held throughout the year..
The programme includes masterclasses, concerts, and an international competition, providing participants with the opportunity to work closely with renowned musicians and to perform in a professional and inspiring environment. The festival plays an important role in fostering musical education, cultural dialogue, and the next generation of classical performers.
Portuguese Junior Sailing Team – Portuguese Sailing Federation
Through our Sponsorship programme, the FAM Foundation continued to invest in young people and in the development of pathways that allow talent to grow over time. In partnership with the Portuguese Sailing Federation, the first year of the Portuguese Junior Sailing Team brought together more than 70 young sailors, 12 coaches and 5 technical coordinators, creating a stronger and more structured environment for training, technical development and progression towards international competition. The programme covers several youth sailing classes and combines national training camps, specialised coaching and greater coordination between athletes, coaches and technical teams.
The first year has already produced encouraging sporting results at international level. Portuguese sailors achieved strong performances in major youth competitions, including podium and top-ranking results in Optimist, iQFOiL, Techno 293 and ILCA 6 events, while the programme also strengthened opportunities for knowledge transfer through the involvement of experienced coaches and coordinated technical support. Beyond individual results, the initiative is helping to build a more consistent development pathway for young sailors, allowing them to compete internationally with better preparation and continuity.
One of the most significant outcomes of this first cycle was the recognition of two young sailors as “Olympic Hopes”, an important milestone in their progression towards future Olympic participation. More than supporting competition results, the programme is designed to strengthen the foundations of Portuguese youth sailing by combining performance, technical development and long-term athlete progression. Through this partnership, the FAM Foundation is contributing to a model that supports not only sporting excellence, but also discipline, resilience, teamwork and opportunity for the next generation.
Through our SOS Fund, the FAM Foundation is supporting the Ukrainian Charity Foundation Children of Heroes, an organisation dedicated to providing long-term assistance to children who have lost one or both parents as a result of the war in Ukraine. The Foundation currently supports more than 15,400 vulnerable children and aims to reach approximately 19,550 children by 2027, combining immediate assistance with ongoing social, psychological and family support.
FAM’s contribution is supporting a three-month intervention with three main components. Allocated to the Foundation’s Family Helpers programme, helping to fund 4–5 case managers who provide day-to-day support to more than 1,000 families, representing around 1,600 children. The SOS fund also supported the access to professional mental health care, including approximately 220 psychological consultations for around 27 children and caregivers, with the possibility of receiving up to 10 sessions each. The fund also, contributed to the operational and management costs required to ensure the effective delivery and coordination of the programme.
The project is designed to respond not only to immediate vulnerability, but also to the longer-term consequences of bereavement, displacement, economic insecurity and trauma. By strengthening family support structures and providing access to specialised psychological care, Children of Heroes helps children and their caregivers rebuild stability, resilience and prospects for the future. Through this partnership, the FAM Foundation reinforces the role of its SOS Fund as a mechanism for responding rapidly to humanitarian crises while supporting organisations capable of delivering sustained and measurable impact.
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.
