PARSUK Participates in the Launch of Portugal’s New Agency for Research and Innovation (AI²)

PARSUK was present in Lisbon for the public presentation of the methodology that will define Portugal’s strategic priority domains and budget allocation within the country’s evolving science and innovation framework.

The launch of AI² – Portugal’s new Agency for Research and Innovation represents a major step in the reorganisation of the national research and innovation system. The reform aims to strengthen governance coherence, improve strategic prioritisation, and better align scientific excellence with economic competitiveness.

For PARSUK, this moment reflects months of structured engagement and policy contribution.

Sustained Dialogue with the Portuguese Government

Over recent months, PARSUK has been engaged in ongoing dialogue with senior policymakers, including Prof. Fernando Alexandre (Minister of Education, Science and Innovation), Prof. Helena Canhão (Secretary of State for Science and Innovation), and João Rui Ferreira (Secretary of State for Economy).

This engagement has focused on contributing independent, non-partisan expertise to inform the structural reform of Portugal’s research and innovation ecosystem.

In parallel, PARSUK has held technical exchanges with Prof. Maria do Rosário Partidário and the PLANAPP team responsible for developing the strategic prioritisation methodology, contributing reflections from a comparative international perspective.

What Has PARSUK Contributed?

Drawing on the expertise of its UK membership, PARSUK has provided:

• Comparative insights from the UK research and innovation system, including governance and funding practices associated with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

• Structured written feedback on governance models, funding architecture, and strategic prioritisation

• Science diplomacy briefings and policy reports to support cross-government reflection

• Diaspora-informed perspectives linking international scientific networks to Portugal’s strategic positioning

Why This Matters

The reform of Portugal’s science and innovation system is not only about institutional restructuring. It concerns:

• How Portugal defines its long-term strategic domains

• How public funding is allocated

• How research connects to economic competitiveness

• How the country positions itself internationally

A recurring theme in discussions has been the importance of patient capital, international networks, and science diplomacy as structural enablers of sustainable impact.

For diaspora organisations like PARSUK and SPOT Nordic, this reform demonstrates the growing recognition of global Portuguese scientific networks as strategic interlocutors — not peripheral actors — in national policy debates.

A Structured and Collective Effort

This work has been jointly led by Dr. Catarina M. Liberato (President of the Executive Board) and Prof. Miguel Rodrigues (President of the Scientific Council), with technical contributions from PARSUK Scientific Diplomacy Advisers Dr. Luís Lacerda, Dr. José Pedro Reis, and Inês Viva, as well as, the operational and coordination support of Dr. Elisa Clemente (Vice-President for Science Diplomacy and External Affairs), Rute Santos and Mariana Garcia (Scientific Diplomacy Managers).

The collaboration between the Executive Board and the Scientific Council, has ensured analytical depth, institutional coherence, and strategic alignment in PARSUK’s contribution. It should be noted that the partnership with Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) has been funding the technical work of Science Diplomacy Advisers.

Dr. Catarina Liberato, PARSUK President

Continued Engagement in 2026

PARSUK will remain actively engaged in this reform process until its planned conclusion in October 2026, contributing independent, evidence-based input during the transition from methodological design to operational implementation.

We remain committed to ensuring that the voice of the Portuguese scientific diaspora — particularly those embedded in leading international ecosystems — continues to inform national policy development.

This milestone reflects PARSUK’s broader mission: strengthening Portugal’s international scientific positioning through structured engagement, rigorous analysis, and responsible science diplomacy.