Calouste Gulbenkian’s long path, from his childhood in Istanbul to the latter years of his life in Lisbon, shaped his personality and influenced the Foundation that he decided to create in Portugal as a Portuguese institution.
A pioneer in the oil industry, a demanding art collector, a diplomat and philanthropist, Calouste Gulbenkian was a perfect example of the synthesis of the eastern culture of his birth and origins, and the western culture in which he was educated and lived. Other revealing features of his character were his great sensitivity towards the harmony of nature and a particular taste for admiring its beauty.
Naturally, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation’s activities reflect these characteristics of the founder’s personality and aim to support efforts to foster the universal values inherent to the human condition, respect for diversity and difference, a culture of tolerance and the conservation of the environment in man’s relationship with nature.
The Calouste Gulbenkian Prize will distinguish an individual or institution whose thoughts or actions make a decisive contribution to, and have significant impact on understanding, defending or fostering the universal values of the human condition: namely, the respect for diversity and difference, a culture of tolerance and the conservation of the environment in man’s relationship with nature.
The Prize of €250.000 (two hundred and fifty thousand euros) is awarded annually.
Nominations
1. Fully-grounded nominations will be presented by third parties.
2. Nominations will be submitted exclusively on-line, between 15 February and 15 May, for the respective year, via the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation website and completed according to the instructions indicated.
3. In addition to the documents presented with the nominations, the panel may request further information from nominees.
4. Each member of the panel may nominate up to three other candidates.
5. The Prize will be awarded at a ceremony on 20 July at the headquarters of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.
The Prize is open to individuals or institutions, regardless of nationality.
The Prize cannot be awarded posthumously or to an institution that has ceased its activity.
Center for Intercultural Dialogue 