Encontro Ciência 2025: “FCT’s Partnerships with U.S. Universities: Shaping the Future through Impactful Science”

On July 9th, the MIT Portugal Program along with the CMU Portugal Program and UT Austin Portugal, will host the session “FCT’s Partnerships with U.S. Universities: Shaping the Future through Impactful Science” at Encontro Ciência 2025, Portugal’s largest science and technology meeting, at NOVA SBE Campus, in Carcavelos.

The joint session will shed light on the next chapter of the three programs towards 2030, while also reflecting on the legacy they have established over nearly two decades. These initiatives have served as bridges between science and society, connecting instruments such as education, research, and technology commercialization and entrepreneurship to increase their impact potential.

The first part of this session, featuring the Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, Fernando Alexandre and the Secretary of State for Science and Innovation, Helena Canhão, will focus on the core features of the Partnerships under Phase 4 and the synergies between them.

The second part will feature a panel of invited speakers, each with a distinct engagement in the partnerships, who will share insights on the unique value of these collaborative frameworks and their role in fostering scientific advancement, capacity-building, and entrepreneurship in Portugal. Paulo Dimas, VP of Product Innovation at Unbabel and Chief Executive Officer at Center for Responsible AI, Hélder Silva, Head of Aerospace Flight Software, Thales Edisoft Portugal, and John G. Ekerdt, Professor Emeritus of the Cockrell School of Engineering, UT Austin will provide a well-rounded view of the Programs’ long-term relevance across society.

More information here.

Registration form here.