FCT and the Aga Khan Foundation hosted a session to present projects from the Scientific Cooperation Program

On May 4, the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) hosted an event dedicated to sharing results and looking ahead to the future of the FCT–AKDN Scientific Cooperation Program, an initiative that has established itself as a key instrument for scientific collaboration between Portugal and African countries.

The session brought together policymakers, researchers, and institutional partners, who attended a presentation of the results achieved by the 37 projects funded through Calls first two Calls under this partnership. The session also highlighted the ability of science, developed through collaboration, to address specific challenges in areas such as health, the environment, natural resources, and sustainable development, among others.

In addition to taking stock of the program’s scientific achievements, the event also looked ahead to a new phase of the program, with the two partner institutions announcing that they are working on launching a new call for proposals by the end of 2026.

This event underscored Portugal’s commitment to science that is open to the world and grounded in strategic partnerships. At the same time, it reinforced the role of the FCT–AKDN program as a trusted platform connecting institutions, researchers, and regions, capable of generating relevant knowledge with lasting impact.

In this new phase, FCT and AKDN are renewing their commitment to deepening international scientific cooperation, creating the conditions for research to make a consistent contribution to human development, community resilience, and the promotion of scientific knowledge as a global public good.