Phase IV 2025–2030
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- Phase IV (2025–2030)
Scaling a transatlantic R&I bridge for impact in Portugal, Europe, and beyond.
Intro:
Phase IV renews the UT Austin Portugal Program through 2030, consolidating a high‑trust, high‑impact collaboration between Portuguese research organizations and The University of Texas at Austin. We focus on mission‑driven science, advanced training, and technology transfer that strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and address real‑world challenges.
What Phase IV Focuses On
Research & Innovation: High‑quality joint projects in four flagship areas.
Talent & Mobility: Short‑term research visits and hands‑on training.
Skills & Adoption: A Training Academy that connects science to industry needs.
Entrepreneurship: TechLaunch pathways for venture creation and growth.
Phase IV – Flagship Areas
Critical materials, smart textiles, semiconductors, next‑gen batteries, and nanotech for health and environment.
Greener AI, low‑precision hardware for science, translational AI, and future computing paradigms at scale.
Space data and sensing for Earth: risk prediction, fire and coastal management, soil and ocean monitoring, and resilient systems.
Hydrogen, climate‑neutral cities, greening industry, and future energy systems that are reliable, affordable, and sustainable.
Phase IV - Flagship Areas
Instruments & Opportunities
- Exploratory Research Projects (ERPs) – seed, high‑risk/high‑reward.
- Strategic Research Projects (SRPs) – longer‑horizon, scale‑ready collaborations.
- Researcher Mobility – short‑term visits between Portugal and UT Austin.
- Training Academy – advanced courses and summer schools.
- TechLaunch – entrepreneurship and market validation.
Selected Researchers (2025–26 Cohort)
As part of Phase IV, the Program continues to strengthen transatlantic collaboration by supporting short-term research exchanges. The selected researchers listed below will visit The University of Texas at Austin between October 2025 and June 2026, working with leading UT faculty in their labs and contributing to cutting-edge projects across our flagship areas.
| Name | Scientific Area | Host |
|---|---|---|
| Afonso Pinho Lourenço | Advanced Computing | Lizy Kurian John, Professor, Chandra Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering |
| Vicente Lopes | Advanced Computing | Deji Akinwande, Professor, Chandra Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering |
| Mafalda Rodrigues Luis Correia | Nanotechnology | Nicholas A. Peppas, Professor, McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering |
| Maria Francisca Pestana de Freitas de Sousa Cardoso | Nanotechnology | Brian A. Korgel, Professor, McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering |
| Alexandra Francisco Ramôa da Costa Alves | Advanced Computing | Scott Aaronson, Professor, Computer Science, College of Natural Sciences |
| Guilherme Alexandre Correia Canas Martins | Nanotechnology | Jamie Warner, Professor, Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering |
| Nuno Alexandre Gonçalves Mendes | Clean Energy | Javad Mohammadi, Assistant Professor, Maseeh Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering |
| Rafael Duarte Ribeiro das Neves | Nanotechnology | Brian A. Korgel, Professor, McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering |
| Paloma Carollo Toscan | Space-Earth Technologies | Gengchen Mai, Professor, College of Liberal Arts |
This section will be updated regularly as new cohorts are confirmed.
Impact at a Glance
Stronger EU‑US science ties aligned with Europe’s policy priorities
New joint IP, publications, and prototypes
Talent development with international exposure
Industry engagement and uptake
Governance & Partners
Coordinated by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia FCT and UT Austin, with Portuguese universities, RTOs, and industry partners across the ecosystem.