NOVA FCSH Scientists Warn About the Future of Science in Portugal

Open letter denounces state's breach of commitments in research funding and scientific careers.

Generic image of official documents and a pen on a wooden desk, with a blurred Portuguese flag in the background.
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Generic image of official documents and a pen on a wooden desk, with a blurred Portuguese flag in the background.

The Council of Research and Development Units (CUID) at NOVA FCSH has warned, in an open letter published in the newspaper Público, about the state's failure to meet its commitments in funding science and higher education.

The open letter, titled “The cost of the State's non-compliance for science and education”, addresses issues such as financial commitments associated with the Aliança program and FCT-Tenure, as well as changes to the contract conditions of the Stimulus to Scientific Employment (CEEC) program, whose duration has been reduced from six to three years.
The signatories highlight the consequences of these decisions on the stability of researchers' professional paths, team consolidation, research project continuity, and the overall stability of the university institution.
The unpredictability of funding and the lack of stable conditions for scientific activity are also points of concern. CUID argues that the fulfillment of the State's commitments is fundamental to ensuring the sustainability of institutions, research autonomy, and the quality of the national scientific system.
Through this initiative, CUID makes public concerns shared by the Faculty's scientific community and reinforces the importance of science policies based on stability, predictability, and the valorization of research and its professionals.
The document is signed by the 16 members of CUID: Carla Vieira, Carlos Ceia, Carmen Fonseca, Catarina Alves Costa, Dalila Cerejo, João Constâncio, Luísa Cymbron, Ana Pereira, Manuel Deniz Silva, Maria João Branco, Maria Fernanda Rollo, Paulo Nuno Vicente, Rui Lopes, Sílvia de Almeida, Susana S. Martins, and Teresa Araújo.
Based on information from the official source: NOVA FCSH - Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas (UNL) (13/11/2026)