2025 Call for Seed Grant Proposals
Call Info
The MIT Portugal Program is pleased to announce its 2025 call for seed grant proposals from MIT Principal Investigators from any of the Institute’s schools, departments, laboratories, or centers. The call is open now through June 6, 2025.
The MIT Portugal Program (MPP), recently renewed and now in its 4th phase through 2030, is a strategic international partnership between Portuguese universities, research institutions, government, industry partners, and MIT, with the goal of fostering collaborative research. The seed grants are designed to encourage such collaborations and to generate new ideas and advance research both in Portugal and at MIT. The Program has supported over 100 research projects during Phase III of the collaboration. A list of past awards can be found here.
For the 2025 call for proposals, new seed grants for one to two years will be considered, at a funding level up to $200,000 annually (including overhead). Proposals with a higher budget will be considered with appropriate justification.
For the 2025 call for proposals, the Program encourages both:
1. New applications for innovative projects, in collaboration with a Portuguese team, and
2. Renewal applications to allow for the continuation of research projects, with an active Portuguese collaborator, that were funded in 2024 and which grants have not yet expired.
Interested researchers at MIT are encouraged to submit proposals in the following two categories:
1. Research projects in one or more of the following areas:
New research areas in Phase IV:
1. Chips/Nanotechnology
2. Energy
3. AI
4. Space
Research areas continued from Phase III:
5. Climate Science & Climate Change
6. Earth Systems: Oceans to Near Space
7. Digital Transformation in Manufacturing
8. Sustainable Cities
2. Non-research projects to promote engagement and collaboration in topics and activities that may impact Portugal, such as developing a joint course between MIT and a Portuguese university or an Entrepreneurship & Innovation program. If you have questions on whether a non-research project is appropriate, you can raise these with mitportugal@mit.edu.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
Proposals will be accepted from MIT Principal Investigators from any school, department, laboratory, or center.
While this funding is exclusively for MIT Principal Investigators, proposals are expected to include collaboration with Portuguese faculty, students, industry, or other institutions in Portugal. A non-exhaustive overview of Portuguese universities and relevant departments for research areas 1 to 4, as well as Innovation & Entrepreneurship labs, can be found here. If you need help finding contact information, please reach out to mitportugal@mit.edu.
Renewal applications of existing research projects must demonstrate active and meaningful collaboration with Portuguese researchers, industry and/or students.
For all research project applications, proposals that consider hosting a visiting student or researcher from Portugal are strongly encouraged. The Program can help with visiting student slots, if needed, and help cover visiting fees.
Proposals that will collaborate with Portuguese research projects that are part of European initiatives are encouraged.
Budget Allocation
Funding may be used for, but is not limited to, MIT salaries (including summer salaries as well as RA, postdoc, and other salaries), tuition for MIT students, materials & supplies, services, equipment, travel & meeting costs to facilitate collaboration with Portuguese collaborators, and indirect costs. Funding should not be used for salaries for foreign collaborators.
MIT PI’s are strongly encouraged to host a visiting student or researcher from Portugal, as part of the research collaboration, and can apply for additional funding to cover visiting fees.
How to Apply
The deadline to submit proposals is June 6, 2025. Applicants will be informed of the results by end of July 2025. Funds for new projects will be available for use from August 1, 2025. Funds for renewal research projects will be available for use from the expiration date of the existing grant.
Applications must include a project proposal and a project budget, templates can be found here. Please submit the project proposal and project budget via the submission portal on the MIT Funding Opportunities page. Any proposal – or budget-related questions can be raised with mitportugal@mit.edu. The proposal and budget do not need to be routed via RAS or Kuali Coeus (KC).
At the end of the grant period, grantees will be required to submit a brief report to the MIT Portugal Program office highlighting the accomplishments and results of the project, active collaboration with Portuguese researchers, industry and/or students, any publications resulting from the project, as well as a final financial statement. The report could be 2 pages in length or less, and is ideally ready to be used on the MIT Portugal Program website.
Summary schedule:
| June 6, 2025 | Proposal and budget submission deadline |
| End of July 2025 | Announcement of funded projects |
| August 1, 2025 | Funds available for use for new projects |
| Expiration date of existing grant | Funds available for use for renewal projects |
Please check the FAQ section if you have questions about the seed grants or the process.
List of Projects Approved Under this Call
The program awarded 19 new seed project grants to proposals that will further enhance the academic collaborations among the MIT Portugal Program’s eight research areas: four areas from the Phase 3 that continue during Phase 4 and four additional collaboration areas in Phase 4.
Learn more about the new seed project grants below.
Principal research areas:
- Earth Systems: Oceans to near Space: 4 projects
- Climate Science & Climate Change: 1 project
- Energy: 5 projects
- Chips / nanotechnology: 3 projects
- Space: 2 projects
- Sustainable Cities: 1 project
- AI: 2 projects
- Digital transformation in manufacturing: 1 project
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Calls: 2025 Call for Seed Grant Proposals
Research Areas: Earth Systems: Oceans to Near Space
Abstract
Climate is changing. As Earth warms, the oceans are projected to lose dissolved oxygen, with countless impacts on the distribution and productivity of global fisheries, the rates of respiration that governs natural carbon sequestration, and the flux of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide from the oceans. Yet, the driving mechanisms escape science, preventing accurate climate predictions and precluding a scientific basis for maintaining robust fishery and conservation policy. Here we present a new mechanism for not only revealing the natural cycles and anthropogenic perturbation of oxygen in the ocean but also for monitoring into the future. We intend to deploy a prototype electronic tag that can measure dissolved oxygen, developed by our Portuguese collaborators, to monitor the ocean environment using sharks as ocean observing platforms. These novel measurements are critical for constructing a dynamic view of ocean change and making predictions for both fisheries management and climate change mitigation.
MIT PI
Andrew Babbin, Associate Professor, Department of Earth, Atmospheric & Planetary SciencesPT PI
Dr. Nuno Queiroz, Principal Researcher Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources and the Universidade do Porto -
Calls: 2025 Call for Seed Grant Proposals
Research Areas: Artificial Intelligence
Abstract
This project advances the frontiers of eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI). Modern high-performance prediction models (e.g., random forests, gradient boosting, neural networks, LLMs) are complex black-box objects that are difficult to interpret and use in critical applications. One promising XAI approach is rule-based distillation where a large ensemble of trees is replaced by a small number of rules with model utility almost comparable to the original complex model. Despite their promise, the current scope of these approaches is limited. Our goal is to advance the frontiers of rule-based distillation. Our proposed framework (i) significantly generalizes the notion of rules beyond their traditional usage; (ii) allows the distilled rule ensemble to incorporate various user-defined notions of interpretability, trust, transparency, etc while maximally retaining model utility. We propose integrating these interpretable compact models into performant LLMs for improved in-context learning.
MIT PI
Rahul Mazumder, Associate Professor, Sloan School of ManagementPT PI
Paulo Cortez, Full Professor, Dep. of Information Systems (DSI), U. Minho -
Calls: 2025 Call for Seed Grant Proposals
Research Areas: Digital Transformation in Manufacturing, Sustainable Cities
Abstract
Rapid urbanization and extreme climate conditions are driving innovation in design and construction. At the global scale, the square footage of livable floor area must be doubled by 2060, a daunting goal made more challenging by the significant carbon impact of new construction and building operation [1]. Research on Low Carbon Large Scale Additive Manufacturing (LC-LSAM) offers a potential pathway to simultaneously accelerate and decarbonize construction. Portugal’s vernacular earth construction techniques offer time-tested climate adaptation strategies for thermal comfort in buildings, yet their integration with modern performance requirements requires new methods and experimental validation. This proposal combines MIT’s Digital Structures research (led by postdoctoral associate Dr. Alexander Curth) on LC-LSAM, including material-aware computational design, multi-objective toolpath optimization, and zero-waste earth printing, with FEUP’s expertise in Portuguese earthen construction, and low carbon printing admixtures to develop next-generation climate-resilient construction systems [2]. This work addresses a key barrier to scalable construction automation: making local materials a functional feedstock for the additive manufacturing of buildings. Current state of the art printing systems rely on carbon and cost intensive mortars with limited thermal performance. This collaboration will generate and test novel, architectural scale, climate and material adaptive computational design methods for the specific context of Portugal’s urban development needs, leveraging historic passive cooling strategies and locally sourced soils in a reproducible framework for low-carbon additive construction. This research will culminate in full-scale prototypes in Porto to test cooling loads compared to conventional construction and the relative carbon Life Cycle impacts of the 3D printed system. This work establishes new paradigms for performance-based vernacular architecture through computational design, specifically focused on the contemporary needs of a rapidly changing Portuguese urban development.
MIT PI
Caitlin Mueller, Associate Professor, Department of ArchitecturePT PI
Bárbara Rangel, Assistant Professor, University of Porto, Faculty of Engineering (FUEP), Department of Civil Engineering, DIGI@feup3DC research group -
Calls: 2025 Call for Seed Grant Proposals
Research Areas: Sustainable Cities
Abstract
Sustainable cities face persistent social-environmental externalities that cannot be resolved by urban strategies alone. The forestry sector offers strong potential to mitigate these impacts and generate benefits for urban sustainability. This project focuses on using AI to enhance the efficiency and resilience of forestry supply chains. While AI offers environmental and economic advantages, sociotechnical factors like adoption, trust, and systemic resilience are often overlooked. Building on our sociotechnical AI maturity model, we aim to refine it using evidence-based factors to support responsible AI integration. The rapid uptake of AI across supply chains creates opportunities for innovation and sustainability, yet adoption remains uneven. Existing AI maturity models rarely consider sociotechnical systems thinking or responsible AI. By applying our model to Portugal’s forestry sector, a critical player in achieving Sustainable Smart Cities (SSCs) goals, we will assess current AI maturity and propose sociotechnical interventions, including digital twin concepts for SSCs ecosystems.
MIT PI
Donna Rhodes, Principal Research Scientist, Sociotechnical Systems Research Center (SSRC)PT PI
António Lucas Soares, Researcher at INESC TEC and Associate Professor at Department of Informatics Engineering of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto
André M. Carvalho, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, NOVA SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY | NOVA FCT, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa -
Calls: 2025 Call for Seed Grant Proposals
Research Areas: Space
Abstract
Earth’s oceans are our planet’s largest defining feature and an invaluable resource as they contain millions of algae and animals responsible for sustaining large ecosystems that supply oxygen and food. Monitoring key features of the ocean provides critical insight to how its behavior is changing and how that affects maritime industries and ecosystems. This seed proposal builds upon prior work with MIT Portugal’s AEROS to take it to the next generation of development. We propose to use MIT’s available NASA CSLI launch opportunity (a $300k value) and existing CubeSat hardware (see Figure to engage with our MIT Portugal collaborators in taking the next-generation step for remote sensing with CubeSats: testing an AI-optimized processor in space and running algorithms relevant to maritime industry, such as looking for ocean fronts, coastal morphology and color change, and harmful algal blooms.
MIT PI
Kerri Cahoy, Professor, Department of Aeronautics and AstronauticsPT PI
Catarina Cecilio, Researcher +ATLANTIC CoLAB
Dr. Jorge Fontes, Researcher at the University of the Azores, Okeanos -
Calls: 2025 Call for Seed Grant Proposals
Research Areas: Space
Abstract
This project advances a novel plasma-based reactor for carbon dioxide conversion (CO2) and oxygen production under Mars-relevant conditions, supporting in-situ generation of valuable resources on Mars. Building on a prior MIT Portugal seed grant, we propose to design, construct, and test a plasma reactor integrated with oxygenpermeable membranes to selectively extract oxygen from the reaction products. The plasma is produced using Nanosecond Repetitively Pulsed (NRP) discharges, an energy-efficient technique that can reach up to 100% CO2 conversion. The integration of separation-technology addresses one of the main bottlenecks of the technology: the inability of plasmas to produce a pure stream of products. The system will be characterized across key parameters, including pressure, plasma power, and feedstock composition with a focus on measuring reactorperformance metrics: conversion fraction and energy efficiency. The work aims to elevate the technology from NASA Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 to TRL 4 by demonstrating a functional laboratory prototype. In addition to enabling sustainable oxygen and fuel production on Mars, the insights gained will inform scalable CO2 conversion systems for Earth-based decarbonization.
MIT PI
Carmen Guerra-Garcia, Associate Professor, Department of Aeronautics and AstronauticsPT PI
Vasco Guerra, Professor of Physics, Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Universidade de Lisboa
Tiago Silva, PhD, Assistant Researcher, Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Universidade de Lisboa -
Calls: 2025 Call for Seed Grant Proposals
Research Areas: Chips/Nanotechnology
Abstract
The advent of 2D crystalline materials has enabled the fabrication of novel devices with unique capabilities different from conventional 3D materials. Of particular interest are devices where the ability to control the stacking order and rotational alignment between 2D materials enables the engineering of novel tunable phases of matter. This proposal aims to investigate a new generation of nanoelectronic sensors based on novel 2D synthetic ferroelectric devices and twisted bilayer graphene devices. These sensors are expected to provide advantages such as ultra-fast switching speed, long endurance, biocompatibility, and compatibility with existing complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor technology. This work will involve a close collaboration between MIT and Portuguese researchers at the International Iberian Nanotechnology Institute (INL) paving the way to advanced technology applications of interest to the health sciences and pharmaceutical industry in Portugal.
MIT PI
Pablo Jarillo-Herrero, Professor, Department of PhysicsPT PI
Dr. Pedro Alpuim, International Iberian Nanotechnology Institute, Research Group Leader.
Dr. Joaquin Fernandez-Rossier, International Iberian Nanotechnology Institute, Research Group Leader -
Calls: 2025 Call for Seed Grant Proposals
Research Areas: Chips/Nanotechnology
Abstract
Sepsis is a leading cause of death from infection, driven by a dysregulated immune response. There is a need for technology to monitor sepsis progression and guide treatment. Neutrophils are abundant and easily accessible immune cells, and their functional state holds promise as a real-time biomarker for sepsis and other diseases of the immune system. Here we propose to integrate a microfluidic electronic cellular analysis chip developed at MIT called isodielectric separation with a nanoelectronic graphene field-effect transistor chip sensor developed at INL that is capable of detecting reactive oxygen species, a key neutrophil effector function. This combined platform will provide high-resolution, multidimensional profiling of neutrophil function from a drop of blood. We will develop an integrated chip-based platform and validate the system using chemically activated human neutrophils. This work will enable more precise immune monitoring in sepsis and other immune-related conditions, advancing clinical applications and providing substantial commercial potential.
MIT PI
Joel Voldman, Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer SciencePT PI
Pedro Alpuim, Research Group Leader, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory
Jérôme Borme, Research Scientist PI, International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory -
Calls: 2025 Call for Seed Grant Proposals
Research Areas: Chips/Nanotechnology
Abstract
We aim to develop neuromorphic computing systems by exploiting the stochastic nature of nanoscale spintronic devices. Currently neural networks have achieved remarkable success in various application areas. However, existing silicon-based hardware exhibits inefficiency at processing compute-intensive models compared to the human brain. Bio-inspired computing models based on stochastic activations and learning rules provide new opportunities for developing efficient neuromorphic systems with complex cognitive capabilities. In this proposal, we will leverage the intrinsic stochasticity from the compact and energy-efficient spintronic devices for realizing stochastic neuro-mimetic components, and realize algorithms and architecture to achieve balanced performance among accuracy, robustness, synaptic memory requirements, and energy efficiency. Particularly, we will develop stochastic spin-orbit torque magnetic tunnel junctions for both neurons and synapses. Compared to state of the art, the proposed devices and circuits will minimize the influence of noises and device variations, leading to a scalable solution for robust and efficient implementation of stochastic neural networks.
MIT PI
Luqiao Liu, Associate Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer SciencePT PI
Susana Cardoso de Freitas, INESC-MN and Instituto Superior Tecnico, Principal Investigator and Full Professor -
Calls: 2025 Call for Seed Grant Proposals
Research Areas: Energy
Abstract
Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) waste presents a major challenge to circular materials management due to its high chlorine content and incompatibility with existing recycling systems. This project, a collaboration between Prof. Luís Branco (NOVA FCT) and Prof. Yuriy Román (MIT), will develop a catalytic process to convert PVC into energy-dense liquid fuels using mild thermochemical treatment in tailored solvent systems. The approach integrates solvents with tunable acid–base properties (NOVA FCT) and selective hydrogenolysis catalysts (MIT) to enable dechlorination and C–C bond cleavage under mild conditions. Key innovations include nucleophilic, low-volatility solvents that stabilize reactive intermediates and catalysts that promote high selectivity without over-cracking. Unlike existing chemical recycling methods, which suffer from low carbon yields, proof-of-concept results demonstrate dechlorinated PVC carbon recoveries approaching 80%. Portuguese PVC-containing waste streams will be used to validate the process and guide scale-up. This collaboration offers a high-yield, lowimpact route to valorize halogenated plastic waste while supporting national energy and sustainability goals.
MIT PI
Yuriy Roman, Professor, Department of Chemical EngineeringPT PI
Prof. Luís Branco, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, Principal Investigator, Fotoquímica Research Group NOVA School of Science and Technology (FCT NOVA)
FAQs
For the 2025 Call for Proposals, the MIT Portugal Program (MPP) is seeking innovative proposals in one or more of the following categories:
1. Research projects in one or more of the following areas:
New research areas in Phase IV:
1. Chips/Nanotechnology
2. Energy
3. AI
4. Space
Research areas continued from Phase III:
5. Climate Science & Climate Change
6. Earth Systems: Oceans to Near Space
7. Digital Transformation in Manufacturing
8. Sustainable Cities
2. Non-research projects to promote engagement and collaboration in topics and activities that may impact Portugal, such as developing a joint course between MIT and a Portuguese university or an Entrepreneurship & Innovation program. If you have questions on whether a non-research project is appropriate, you can raise these with mitportugal@mit.edu.
- If you received an award from the MIT Portugal Program in the past, and that award has expired, you can submit a new proposal under this call for proposals.
- If you currently have an active MIT Portugal Program seed grant that was awarded in 2024, you can submit a proposal to allow for the continuation of this research project provided it can be demonstrated that your research project includes meaningful collaboration with colleague(s) in Portugal.
Proposals are expected to include collaboration with faculty, industry, and researchers from Portuguese universities and other research institutions in Portugal.
A non-exhaustive overview of Portuguese universities and relevant departments for research areas 1 to 4, as well as Innovation & Entrepreneurship labs, can be found here. If you need help finding contact information, please reach out to mitportugal@mit.edu.
The Portuguese Science Foundation (FCT) has not made a final selection of projects to fund yet. We encourage you to submit a seed proposal under this call for MIT funds. If the exploratory proposal submitted by the Portuguese team with FCT is selected for funding in Portugal, MPP will fund the MIT PI for his/her portion of the research under the exploratory proposal.
| June 6, 2025 | Proposal and budget submission deadline |
| End of July 2025 | Announcement of funded projects |
| August 1, 2025 | Funds available for use for new projects |
| Expiration date of existing grant | Funds available for use for renewal projects |
Please submit a budget for total proposal costs, including all applicable overhead costs at the current research rates for FY 2026 listed below.
Research F&A Rate 62.0 %
Employee Benefits Rate 23.7 %
Vacation accrual Rate 9.10 %
Funding may be used for, but is not limited to, MIT salaries (including summer salaries as well as RA, postdoc, and other salaries), tuition for MIT students, materials & supplies, services, equipment, travel & meeting costs to facilitate collaboration with Portugal, and indirect costs.
Funding should not be used for salaries for foreign collaborators.
Proposals that consider hosting a visiting student or researcher from Portugal are strongly encouraged. The Program can help with visiting student slots (if your department doesn’t have visiting student slots available), and help cover visiting fees.
This additional funding to cover visiting fees can be requested separately during the grant period and does not need to be requested in the proposal stage.
Seed grants will be awarded in amounts up to $200,000 annually, including overhead, for a 1 to 2 year grant period. Proposals with a higher budget will be considered if appropriate justification for a higher budget is provided.
For renewal applications, the Program will take into account the estimated remaining funds by the end of the original grant period.
Grantees may be asked to participate in activities with Portugal or the MIT Portugal Program, such as workshop requests and the MIT Portugal Annual Conference, typically held in the fall in Portugal.
No, the proposal should not be routed via KC.
Although you can submit more than 1 proposal, we strongly encourage you to only submit a single proposal that you are most excited about, as only one will be funded.
Please submit the project proposal and project budget via MIT Funding Opportunities by June 6, 2025, 11:59pm ET. Any area- or budget-related questions can be raised with mitportugal@mit.edu.
For all other questions not addressed above please contact the MIT Portugal Program at mitportugal@mit.edu.