Gulbenkian Foundation and University of Lisbon strengthen innovation in the water sector
At a time of increasing pressure on water resources, ecosystem degradation and the impacts of climate change, WISE – Water Innovation, Science and Education proposes a systemic approach that brings together science, innovation, entrepreneurship, public authorities and businesses to develop practical solutions with environmental, economic and social impact. The project will lead to the creation of the College of Water (Colégio da Água), a new interdisciplinary platform at the University of Lisbon dedicated to research, innovation and education in this strategic area.
Coordinated by Cecília Rodrigues, Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation at the University of Lisbon, the project is built around three core pillars: the development and validation of innovative solutions in real-world settings; the promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship through incubation and acceleration programmes; and the training of students, researchers and professionals. Supported initiatives will address areas such as sustainable water management, adaptation to droughts and floods, the restoration of aquatic ecosystems, the blue economy, and the application of digital technologies and artificial intelligence to environmental monitoring.
According to the project coordinator, “Portugal is currently facing unprecedented pressures on its water, marine and maritime resources”, requiring responses that “no single discipline, school or institution can provide on its own”. Speaking at the protocol-signing ceremony, Cecília Rodrigues stressed that WISE was created precisely to foster this integrated approach, strengthening the country’s capacity to address water security and climate transition challenges.
The new College of Water will bring together researchers, academics, students, companies, public entities and civil society organisations, harnessing expertise from different fields of knowledge to transform research into solutions with practical benefits for society. The initiative is aligned with national and European priorities related to water resilience, the blue economy and climate action.
The Foundation’s support forms part of a broader commitment to funding research and innovation in Portuguese universities and reflects the belief that sustainable water management is one of the defining challenges of our time. According to António Feijó, “supporting WISE means supporting scientific knowledge geared towards practical solutions capable of delivering impact for people, territories and ecosystems”. For the President of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, “this is not simply about supporting a scientific project at a leading university; it is about helping to protect a common good of humanity, improve public decision-making, strengthen territories and safeguard future generations”.
The protocol was signed on 7 July at the Portugal Pavilion and also featured contributions from Marisa Lameira da Silva, Director-General for Maritime Policy; Pedro Matos Soares, scientist, researcher and lecturer at the University of Lisbon’s Faculty of Sciences; Pedro Fontes, Director of Digital Information Technologies at EPAL; and Luís Ferreira, Rector of the University of Lisbon.
Through this support, the Foundation reinforces its commitment to equity and sustainability by promoting projects that transform knowledge into practical responses to contemporary challenges and contribute to a more sustainable, resilient and future-ready society.