Applications are now open for the MIT Portugal 2026 Project Competition

Applications for the MIT Portugal Program’s 2026 Project Competition are now open until May 25, 2026. This initiative aims to promote collaborative research between Portuguese institutions and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

The call for proposals includes two funding categories: Joint Integrated Proposals and Seed Proposals. For the 2026 edition, the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) is providing a total budget of €800,000, earmarked exclusively for funding Portuguese teams involved in projects submitted under the Joint Integrated Proposals category. Under this category, the FCT awards up to €50,000 to the Portuguese team of each project for the development of collaborative research activities with MIT teams over a 12-month period. This financial support aims to ensure the active participation of national scientific institutions in the MIT Portugal Program, as well as to promote the creation of advanced knowledge and the strengthening of scientific and technological capabilities in areas of strategic importance to the country.

The Seed Proposals program also provides for collaboration with Portuguese researchers; however, in this case, funding will be awarded exclusively by the MIT team.

The call for proposals covers research projects in fields of significant scientific and technological impact, including microchips and nanotechnology, energy, artificial intelligence, space, climate science and climate change, Earth systems, digital transformation in industry, and sustainable cities—all priority areas of the MIT Portugal Program.

Applications must be submitted through the MIT Submission Portal by an MIT Principal Investigator or an MIT administrator. The MIT Portugal Program is responsible for receiving, evaluating, and managing the entire application process. Detailed information on requirements, eligibility criteria, and submission instructions is available on the official call page, accessible at 2026 Call for Seed Grant Proposals.

For questions regarding proposals or budgetary matters related to the MIT component, applicants should contact mitportugal@mit.edu. Budgetary questions regarding the Portuguese component should be directed to info@mitportugal.org.