Winner of the FLAD Rui Machete Award, worth 100 thousand euros, will be known in the next months

FLAD has instituted the FLAD Rui Machete Award, a new distinction aimed at recognizing paths of excellence that contribute to the strengthening of relations between Portugal and the United States.

The award pays tribute to Rui Machete, who chaired FLAD between 1988 and 2010 and played a decisive role in consolidating the Foundation’s mission and promoting Portuguese-American cooperation.

With a biennial periodicity and a value of 100 thousand euros, the FLAD Rui Machete Award is one of the most relevant distinctions on the national scene. The initiative aims to recognize personalities or institutions whose work has had a significant impact on cooperation between the two countries.

The award is intended for natural or legal persons of Portuguese or American nationality who have stood out for their contribution to the development of bilateral relations between Portugal and the United States.

Contributions will be considered in areas aligned with FLAD’s mission, namely:

• Science, innovation and technology
• Education and academia
• art and culture
• Transatlantic relations and diplomacy
• Sports
• Business sector
• Social sector and citizenship

The distinction aims to value not only the candidates’ path, but also the impact of their activity on society and the transformative potential of the initiatives developed.

Jury composed of leading personalities

The decision on the award of the prize is up to a jury made up of personalities of recognized merit in different areas of society. The jury is chaired by José Manuel Barroso and includes:

• Cristina Fonseca
• Stela Barbot
• José Arantes
• José Maria Ivo
• Luís Amado
• Maria João Avillez
• Mariana Van Zeller
• Vítor Cruz

Applications are proposed by the members of the jury themselves, who can nominate up to three personalities or institutions.

Evaluation and announcement of the winner

The evaluation will take into account criteria such as the effective contribution to the strengthening of Portuguese-American relations, the impact on Portuguese society or the diaspora in the United States, the excellence of the path and the future potential of the activity developed.

The winner will be notified by the beginning of June and the award ceremony will take place in a public ceremony at FLAD, in Lisbon, during the month of October.

With this initiative, the Foundation reinforces its commitment to merit, innovation and transatlantic cooperation, promoting an increasingly solid collaboration between Portugal and the United States.

See the full regulation here.