Advancing mission-driven research through transatlantic collaboration

Research remains a central pillar of the UT Austin Portugal Program, supporting high-impact, cross-cutting deep-tech collaboration between Portuguese institutions and UT Austin, aligned with national and EU priorities, through two main instruments:

• Strategic Research Projects
  

Large-scale, industry-led transatlantic projects targeting deep-tech areas of strategic importance. These initiatives integrate industry stewardship, research excellence and TRL progression. The goal is to increase the probability that scientific advances translate into globally competitive products and services.

• Exploratory Research Projects (ERPs)

Agile (high-risk/high-reward projects supporting both seed collaborations and higher-TRL research with commercialization potential. ERPs serve as catalysts for new partnerships, joint publications, and innovation pipelines feeding into entrepreneurial programs.

Research projects are selected through competitive calls, ensuring scientific quality, relevance, and alignment with Program priorities.

Calls are designed to:

• Promote collaboration between Portuguese institutions and UT Austin
  
• Support both exploratory research and more advanced collaborative efforts
• Encourage interdisciplinarity and complementarity between partners
  
  

The structure of calls and project types may evolve across Phase 4 reflecting emerging scientific opportunities and strategic needs.

Integration across the Program

Research in Phase 4 is closely integrated with other Program pillars:

• Education, through advanced training and Research Exchanges
  
• Innovation, through pathways that support knowledge transfer and impact
  
• International cooperation, through long-term institutional partnerships
  
  

Research outputs and dissemination

Research supported by the UT Austin Portugal Program contributes to:

• Scientific publications and conferences
  
• The training of early-career researchers
  
• International collaboration networks
  
  

Information on funded projects, calls, and research outputs is presented in dedicated sections of the website.