MIT Portugal

MIT Portugal Innovation Workshop 2026

Applications are now open

The MIT Portugal Program (MPP) is excited to announce the 2026 edition of the MIT Portugal Innovation Workshop at MIT. This MIT Portugal workshop is a hands-on program designed to expose participants to critical elements of venture creation and the potential commercialization of high-impact res earch and technologies. This workshop is primarily intended for aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs, as well as students and researchers that seek to explore the application and business prospects of their ideas and research.

The Innovation Workshop includes seminars by MIT and Portuguese innovators, entrepreneurs, and visionaries who have gone through the process of commercialization. Participants will have the opportunity to learn and interact with experts from the MIT ecosystem and successful entrepreneurs who will share their insights on critical skills for translating research to entrepreneurial impact through interactive seminars and activities designed to help participants apply their learning to their own ideas, technologies, and research. As a participant, you will learn essential skills around:

  • An entrepreneurial mindset
  • Tools and frameworks to evaluate the commercial potential of your idea/research
  • Selecting your initial target market
  • De-risking product/market fit
  • Finding partners and co-founders—building great teams
  • Defining the next steps for your venture

Who can Apply?

The 2026 workshop will take place at MIT, June 8-12. The workshop is open to 35 students and researchers from Portugal that are aspiring and/or early-stage entrepreneurs who seek to explore the application and business prospects of their ideas and research. Early-stage startups are especially encouraged to apply.  

Further details about the program, speakers, and other event details will be provided closer to the start of the workshop.

Application Process

The application process is open until March 31, 11:59 pm Lisbon time. The application can be filed via slideroom, and in addition to the completed online form will need to include the following documentation: 

  1. Resume (2 pages Max).
  2. Motivation letter (1-2 page max written by you not by AI)

Only those who haven’t participated in the workshop previously are eligible to apply. Applicants will be notified in April. 

All participants will be provided with accommodation near MIT during the days of the workshop. Light breakfasts and lunches will be provided during the workshop. Participants will be responsible for arranging their own air travel and will be reimbursed for 50% of (reasonable) costs after they return from the workshop. Participants will be responsible for all additional expenses. The workshop program includes intensive full-day schedules, no extracurricular and personal activities should be planned during the workshop week

 In case of substantiated financial hardship, selected participants may request for additional sponsorship by the MIT Portugal Program[1].

Terms of Admission

The Innovation Workshop reserves the right to withdraw or rescind an offer of admission under any of the following conditions: 

  1. Any part of your application contains misrepresentations;
  2. You engage in behavior that brings into question your honesty, maturity, or professional suitability; or
  3. You engage in conduct that violates MIT policy.

 All admission decisions are final.

Please contact mitportugal@mit.edu if you have further questions.

[1] This workshop is supported by the MIT Portugal Program, which focuses on fostering research between MIT and Portuguese universities, research institutes, laboratories, companies, and other entities in the areas of Climate Science & Climate Change, Earth Systems: Oceans to Near Space, Digital Transformation in Manufacturing, Sustainable Cities, Energy, Space, Artificial Intelligence, and Chips / Nanotechnology.