Innovation and Research
At NOVA FCT, research and innovation are not parallel paths, they are the foundation of our educational model. From the first year of the course, students are immersed in a culture of questioning, experimentation, and real-world problem solving, developing scientific, creative, and entrepreneurial skills. Learning happens by doing, exploring, and creating.
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Our curriculum integrates research from the very beginning.
Undergraduate students are introduced early on to scientific thinking and laboratory work, while master’s and doctoral students work side by side with leading researchers in fields such as advanced materials, biotechnology, sustainable water systems, and biomedical detection.
NOVA FCT’s research excellence is evident in its 22 European Research Council (ERC) grants, placing us among the most competitive scientific institutions in Europe.
At NOVA FCT, research goes beyond the academic realm—it is transformative.
Through Project-Based Learning (PBL), students collaborate with industry, public institutions, and civic organizations, taking on real-world challenges where they apply and expand their knowledge in practical contexts.
Innovation flourishes naturally in this environment.
NOVA FCT hosts Europe’s largest entrepreneurship program for master’s students, with more than 800 participants each year developing, prototyping, and presenting ideas.
Many of these ideas have evolved into successful startups—such as Glooma, which emerged from a student research project in health technology.
In recent years, NOVA FCT has spawned more than 10 spin-offs and established numerous R&D partnerships with companies across various sectors.
Here, students don’t just learn about science and technology—they do science and create technology.
By placing research and innovation at the heart of education, we prepare them to be the thinkers, creators, and leaders of the next generation in a rapidly changing world.
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