Portugal's AI2 Science and Innovation Forum Calls for Stable Research Funding

The Encontro Ciência e Inovação 2026 was held on 15‑16 July at the Lisbon Congress Centre, organized by the newly created Agência para a Investigação e Inovação (AI2). The opening featured AI2 President João Barros and drew a large gathering of researchers demanding stable contracts, democratic laboratory management and an end to precarious funding.

University of Beira Interior (UBI) presented a proposal titled “Science, Territory and Innovation for a More Competitive Portugal and Europe”, selected from 206 submissions. The proposal argued that Portugal’s diverse geographic and demographic contexts—such as Atlantic islands, coastal tourist zones, low‑density ageing regions, and water‑biodiversity challenges—offer strategic advantages for research and innovation. The submission was discussed in a parallel session on strategic domains of AI2 and highlighted the role of science in anticipating risks, testing solutions, and accelerating knowledge transfer to policy, the economy and society.

Both events underscored the broader national debate on the future of Portugal’s research ecosystem and the strategic direction of AI2.