
PRIZES AND AWARDS
Innovative scientific programmes, exhibitions, equal pay, inclusion and sustainability policies, architectural innovation... over the years there have been many good practices at Ciência Viva, based at the Pavilion of Knowledge, that deserve recognition.
The list of awards and honours began in 1998 and is constantly being updated.
Ciência Viva Awards
2024 Innovative Partner Award - Lisbon, City of Learning
2023 Mariano Gago Ecsite Awards
2019 Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Award for Business Practice
2018 IAPMEI Honourable Mention 'Promoting the spirit of entrepreneurship'
2017 Recommendation from National Geographic Portugal
Innovative Partner Award - Lisbon, City of Learning
Ciência Viva
2024

The Innovative Partner Award - Lisbon, City of Learning, awarded by Lisbon City Council, is an initiative that recognises and rewards partners who contribute in an innovative way to the development of the Lisbon City of Learning digital platform. This platform works as a network of partners who come together to promote lifelong learning opportunities for all citizens.
Mariano Gago Ecsite Awards
Ciência Viva
2023

Ciência Viva received a highly commended certificate from Ecsite - The European Network of Science Centres and Museums after the Conference in Malta for the project "Healthy Neighbourhoods: promoting social inclusion through science and technology". Ecsite was particularly impressed with the community aspects of the project, in which Ciência Viva takes its activity beyond the walls of its science centres.
Equal Pay Seal
Ciência Viva
2023

Ciência Viva was distinguished by the Commission for Equality in Labour and Employment - CITE with the 'Equal Pay Seal' 2023, which recognises good practices in promoting equal pay for men and women for equal work or work of equal value. This recognition is a testament to the ongoing commitment to gender equality and the elimination of the pay gap. This is a distinction awarded annually by CITE to companies with a pay gap of between 1% and -1%, based on the adjusted Gender Pay Gap.
Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Award for Business Practice
Ciência Viva
2019

The Ciência Viva Journeys were honoured with the Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Award for Business Practice in Canada during the ASTC Annual Conference, which brought together 1,600 people from 30 countries. The project, which was born in February 2017, has given more visibility to the National Network of Ciência Viva Centres and linked it to an ambitious knowledge tourism project with more than 15,000 users.
IAPMEI Honourable Mention 'Promoting the spirit of entrepreneurship'
Ciência Viva
2018

The National Network of Ciência Viva Centres was awarded an honourable mention in the European Business Promotion Awards, in the 'Promoting the spirit of entrepreneurship' category. This is an initiative of the European Commission, coordinated in Portugal by IAPMEI, which aims to promote the dissemination of activities recognised as good practice in the field of entrepreneurship in Europe.
Recommendation from National Geographic Portugal
Ciência Viva
2017

The "Ciência Viva Journeys" project was recommended by National Geographic Portugal. This initiative, launched by Ciência Viva in 2017, aims to enhance the visibility of Portugal's National Network of Ciência Viva Centers by connecting them through a comprehensive knowledge tourism project. It offers exploration routes that highlight the country's heritage, fostering interaction between urban and rural areas, as well as coastal and inland regions, not forgetting the island territory.
Commendation from the Minister of Science
Ciência Viva
2016

Ciência Viva received a commendation from the Minister of Science, Manuel Heitor, in 2016, in recognition of its significant contributions to promoting science literacy and engaging the public with science. The commendation acknowledged Ciência Viva's initiatives, such as its network of science centers, public programs like "Ciência Viva no Verão" (Science in the Summer), and partnerships with schools to inspire interest in science and technology. This recognition highlighted the organization's success in democratizing access to scientific knowledge, encouraging innovation, and promoting Portugal's scientific culture.
Rock in Rio Sustainable Attitude Award
Ciência Viva
2010

This is a recognition awarded by the festival to partners who stand out for their contribution to sustainability, both in the event's internal practices and in social responsibility actions. This award was given to the Pavilion of Knowledge in the 'Education' category, representing the National Network of Ciência Viva Centres.
Pavilion of Knowledge Awards
2024 Best Museum for Families Award - Pumpkin
2023 Best Museum for Families Award - Pumpkin
2022 Best Museum for Families Award - Pumpkin
2021 Best Museum for Families Award - Pumpkin
2018 Best Museum for Families Award - Pumpkin
2017 Best Museum for Families Award - Pumpkin
2012 King Baudouin Foundation and Amgen International Scholarship
2001 Honour Award from the Portuguese Multiple Sclerosis Society
2000 Award from the Portuguese Association of Large Families
Best Museum for Families Award - Pumpkin
Pavilhão do Conhecimento
2024

The Best Museum for Families Award is an annual recognition that celebrates museums and science centres offering outstanding, family-friendly experiences. Organized by Pumpkin, a platform dedicated to supporting families, the award highlights institutions that create interactive, educational, and inclusive environments where children and families can learn, explore, and bond. By recognizing exceptional programming, engaging exhibits, and accessible spaces, the award promotes cultural institutions as vibrant and welcoming places for families to enjoy enriching experiences together.
Best Museum for Families Award - Pumpkin
Pavilhão do Conhecimento
2023

The Best Museum for Families Award is an annual recognition that celebrates museums and science centres offering outstanding, family-friendly experiences. Organized by Pumpkin, a platform dedicated to supporting families, the award highlights institutions that create interactive, educational, and inclusive environments where children and families can learn, explore, and bond. By recognizing exceptional programming, engaging exhibits, and accessible spaces, the award promotes cultural institutions as vibrant and welcoming places for families to enjoy enriching experiences together.
Best Museum for Families Award - Pumpkin
Pavilhão do Conhecimento
2022

The Best Museum for Families Award is an annual recognition that celebrates museums and science centres offering outstanding, family-friendly experiences. Organized by Pumpkin, a platform dedicated to supporting families, the award highlights institutions that create interactive, educational, and inclusive environments where children and families can learn, explore, and bond. By recognizing exceptional programming, engaging exhibits, and accessible spaces, the award promotes cultural institutions as vibrant and welcoming places for families to enjoy enriching experiences together.
Best Museum for Families Award - Pumpkin
Pavilhão do Conhecimento
2021

The Best Museum for Families Award is an annual recognition that celebrates museums and science centres offering outstanding, family-friendly experiences. Organized by Pumpkin, a platform dedicated to supporting families, the award highlights institutions that create interactive, educational, and inclusive environments where children and families can learn, explore, and bond. By recognizing exceptional programming, engaging exhibits, and accessible spaces, the award promotes cultural institutions as vibrant and welcoming places for families to enjoy enriching experiences together.
Best Museum for Families Award - Pumpkin
Pavilhão do Conhecimento
2018

The Best Museum for Families Award is an annual recognition that celebrates museums and science centres offering outstanding, family-friendly experiences. Organized by Pumpkin, a platform dedicated to supporting families, the award highlights institutions that create interactive, educational, and inclusive environments where children and families can learn, explore, and bond. By recognizing exceptional programming, engaging exhibits, and accessible spaces, the award promotes cultural institutions as vibrant and welcoming places for families to enjoy enriching experiences together.
Best Museum for Families Award - Pumpkin
Pavilhão do Conhecimento
2017

The Best Museum for Families Award is an annual recognition that celebrates museums and science centres offering outstanding, family-friendly experiences. Organized by Pumpkin, a platform dedicated to supporting families, the award highlights institutions that create interactive, educational, and inclusive environments where children and families can learn, explore, and bond. By recognizing exceptional programming, engaging exhibits, and accessible spaces, the award promotes cultural institutions as vibrant and welcoming places for families to enjoy enriching experiences together.
'VIRAL' recognition
Pavilhão do Conhecimento
2016

'VIRAL' exhibition was considered by the Exploratorium in San Francisco (USA) and the Centre for Advancement of Informal Science Education (CAISE) as one of the most outstanding exhibitions of 2016.
King Baudouin Foundation and Amgen International Scholarship
Pavilhão do Conhecimento
2012

The Ciência Viva School at the Pavilion of Knowledge was awarded a grant as a prize for the innovation and quality of the work carried out there by the King Baudouin Foundation and Amgen International. To create an atmosphere suitable for teaching science and technology, the Pavilion of Knowledge has built a school space where children from primary school talk closely to scientists, conduct laboratory experiments, explore scientific exhibits in detail and transform the science museum into a giant classroom.
Red Dot Design Award
Pavilhão do Conhecimento
2011

The Pavilion of Knowledge received the Red Dot Design Award in 2011 in the 'Design Communication' category for the 'Tcharan! Circus of Experiences' exhibition project. This award is one of the most prestigious international design recognitions, valuing innovation, creativity and quality in product design and communication projects. The 'Tcharan! Circus of Experiences' exhibition aims to provide interactive and entertaining experiences related to science, using the circus theme to captivate the public and encourage scientific curiosity.
Inclusion Award
Pavilhão do Conhecimento
2011

The Pavilion of Knowledge was distinguished by the School of Education and Social Sciences of the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria with the Inclusion award in the category of good practices in the world of work.
SEGD* Design Awards
Pavilhão do Conhecimento
2011

With the remodelling of the Pavilion of Knowledge's foyer in 2010, the Skin project by the P-06 studio, in collaboration with Arquitectos JLCG, created an environmental 'skin' for the multifunctional entrance space. Inspired by the constant interaction between museum professionals and visitors, P-06 adopted the universal language of ASCII computer codes to create 230 feet of perforated 'skin' with different characters from floor to ceiling.
Honour Award from the Portuguese Multiple Sclerosis Society
Pavilhão do Conhecimento
2001

Awarded for our continuous efforts to make the space and our services increasingly accessible to everyone, and for having specialised monitors to support visitors with special needs.
Award from the Portuguese Association of Large Families
Pavilhão do Conhecimento
2000

The Pavilion of Knowledge received this award for being the first institution of its kind to establish a family ticket with no limit on the number of children.
FAD Grand Jury Prize
Pavilhão do Conhecimento
1999

With the Pavilion of Knowledge building, architect João Luís Carrilho da Graça won this award in Barcelona. This distinction recognised the architectural quality of the Pavilion, a space that combines simplicity and complexity, and which is emblematic of the architectural change that Lisbon experienced with EXPO'98.
Valmor Prize
Pavilhão do Conhecimento
1998
The building of the Pavilion of Knowledge occupies an area of 4 000 m2 and it was designed by architect João Luís Carrilho da Graça. This prize is an architectural honor created in 1902 on the initiative of the 2nd Viscount of Valmor, Fausto Queirós Guedes, in Lisbon. The aim is to recognize buildings of great architectural merit built in the city of Lisbon, encouraging architectural quality and innovation.