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Portugal’s longstanding international partnerships with Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) have played a crucial role in shaping the nation’s research, education, and innovation landscape since their establishment in 2006. These collaborations are now the focus of a detailed evaluation and impact analysis study conducted by Technopolis Group, led by its Portuguese office and involving the United Kingdom and Belgium offices.

The study aims to provide an informed assessment of the partnerships’ key achievements, challenges, and recommendations for future development. It serves as a vital resource for deciding on the potential renewal of these agreements. The Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) has made the report publicly available, offering insights into the outcomes of these collaborations and outlining strategic options for their advancement.

Three Distinct Phases of Evolution

The programmes evolved through three key phases:

This phased approach reflects the adaptability of the partnerships in responding to Portugal’s evolving priorities and external challenges.

Principal Findings

Challenges Identified

The evaluation highlights several governance and operational challenges. These include funding delays, fragmented monitoring systems, and an absence of standardised metrics for evaluating outcomes. Furthermore, some stakeholders expressed concerns regarding the narrow thematic focus of the programmes, which limited broader participation across disciplines and geographic regions. However, incremental improvements in governance and transparency were observed during Phase 3.

Recommendations for Future Development

The report provides a series of strategic recommendations to ensure the partnerships’ continued relevance and impact:

A Vision for the Future

The report underscores the enduring relevance of these partnerships, both in advancing Portugal’s scientific and technological capabilities and in strengthening its international standing. Beyond tangible outcomes, such as PhD graduates and entrepreneurial successes, the relational capital and collaborative networks established through these initiatives are seen as vital assets.

However, sustaining these gains will require a renewed political commitment, strategic refinements, and a balanced approach to ensure excellence while expanding the programmes’ reach across Portugal’s scientific and technological landscape. By addressing the identified challenges and implementing the proposed recommendations, the partnerships can continue to serve as a cornerstone of Portugal’s innovation and international collaboration strategy. Read the full report here.

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