The Government of the Azores has opened applications for grant opportunities supporting cultural and community projects in Azorean emigrant communities abroad, as well as educational exchanges and immigrant integration initiatives for 2027.
The funding opportunities are particularly relevant to Azorean organizations, cultural associations, and educational institutions in the United States, Canada, Bermuda, Brazil, and other countries with established Azorean communities.
Financial assistance will be available for projects organized by Azorean emigrant and returning-emigrant communities, aiming to preserve Azorean cultural identity, strengthen relationships between the archipelago and its diaspora, promote educational cooperation, and encourage intercultural understanding.
The grants are administered by the Regional Directorate for Communities (Direção Regional das Comunidades), under the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, headed by Regional Secretary Paulo Estêvão, under Ordinance No. 68/2008. Applications for projects scheduled for 2027 must be submitted by December 15, 2026.
Eligible initiatives may include cultural festivals, exhibitions, conferences, historical and genealogical research, book presentations, celebrations of Azorean traditions, and other activities promoting the region’s heritage and strengthening connections with the Azores.
The government is also offering financial support for school exchange programs under Ordinance No. 25/2000, encouraging educational partnerships between schools and institutions in the Azores and those serving emigrant communities abroad. These exchanges are intended to promote cultural awareness, educational cooperation, and stronger relationships among younger generations of Azorean descent.
Applications for educational exchanges, taking place during the first half of 2027, must be submitted by December 31, 2026, while applications for the second half of the year will be accepted between January 1 and March 31, 2027. The government announcement does not establish a single grant amount applicable to all three programs. Financial assistance and eligible expenses depend on the relevant regulations and the evaluation of individual applications.
A third funding opportunity, established under Ordinance No. 14/2007, supports immigration and integration projects promoting social inclusion, cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue, and participation in community life. Applications for these initiatives must also be submitted by December 15, 2026.
How to apply
Organizations and educational institutions interested in applying should consult the official website of the Regional Directorate for Communities, where the application forms, regulations, and instructions for the three funding programs are available on the official application portal.
Applicants should select the relevant funding program, download the corresponding application form, and prepare a description of the proposed project, its objectives, activities, implementation schedule, and estimated budget. Required supporting documents and submission procedures must be verified under the applicable regulations.
Source: Regional Directorate for Communities
Contact: Regional Directorate for Communities
Rua Padre José Joaquim Rebelo, 20
9500-082 Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azores
Telephone: +351 296 204 700
Email geral-drc@azores.gov.pt
