“FCT Partnerships with U.S. Universities: Shaping the Future through Science with Impact”

As part of Ciência 2025, Portugal’s largest national science and technology meeting.
This year’s edition will be held at Nova SBE, Carcavelos, from 14:30 to 16:00 (Lisbon time).

In this 90-minute session, we will mark the beginning of Phase IV of Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)’s International Partnerships. The three programs will reflect on nearly two decades of collaborative achievements and unveil their shared vision for 2025–2030.

The session will feature insights from national leaders and practitioners who have helped build these enduring transatlantic bridges between Portugal and the United States through science, education, and innovation.

Registration and Full Agenda here 

Agenda

14:30 | Welcome Remarks
João Magalhães, CMU Portugal National Co-director

14:35 | Part I – 2025-2030: A New Chapter, A Reinvigorated Ambition
New thematic areas, collaboration models, and the evolving mission of FCT’s International Partnerships will be introduced by:

Fernando Alexandre, Minister of Education, Science and Innovation
Helena Canhão, Secretary of State for Science and Innovation

15:10 | Part II – Panel Discussion: A Successful Journey from the Research Bench to the Market

Moderator:
John Hansman, Co-Director, MIT Portugal Program at MIT

Speakers:
Paulo Dimas – VP of Product Innovation, Unbabel; CEO, Center for Responsible AI (CMU Portugal)
Hélder Silva – Head of Aerospace Flight Software, Thales Edisoft Portugal; PI, AEROS Project (MIT Portugal)
John G. Ekerdt – Professor Emeritus, Cockrell School of Engineering, UT Austin; PI, UT Austin Portugal (UT Austin Portugal)

15:55 | Closing Remarks
José Manuel Mendonça, National Director, UT Austin Portugal Program