Effective partnership is central to the CGIAR Research Program on Aquatic Agriculture Systems (AAS). We recognize that many organizations are working to improve the lives of people living in aquatic agricultural systems, and together they spend hundreds of millions of dollars there each year. For the AAS Program to add value in this complex institutional environmental, we therefore focus on where and how the program’s science insights can support the work of our partners, and where the convening and catalytic roles we play can foster coalitions that, collectively, have a greater ability to deliver more effective development actions. Working in this way we aim to leverage the CGIAR’s investment in aquatic agricultural systems to help achieve impact at scale.