Coordinated participation of higher education institutions in leading international conferences, forums and meetings, promoting academic and scientific cooperation, establishing strategic partnerships and building the capacity of teams responsible for internationalization.
Study and Research in Portugal – North, Center and Alentejo
The "Study and Research in Portugal – North, Center and Alentejo" operation aims to strengthen the internationalization of Portuguese higher education through the joint participation of higher education institutions in the main international conferences and forums in the sector. Coordinated by the Institute for Higher Education (IES, IP), in co-promotion with universities and polytechnics in the North, Center and Alentejo regions, the initiative promotes the attraction of international students and researchers, the establishment of strategic partnerships and the enhancement of the collective brand of national higher education. The project simultaneously contributes to regional competitiveness, the revitalization of SMEs linked to the academic, cultural and tourism sectors, and the strengthening of Portugal's global image as a destination of excellence for studying and research.
The Study and Research in Portugal – North, Center and Alentejo project has as its main objective to strengthen the internationalization and competitiveness of Portuguese higher education institutions, promoting their visibility and attractiveness in international markets and contributing to the attraction of international students, teachers and researchers.
Developed under the collective brand Study & Research in Portugal , the operation focuses on an integrated strategy for the international promotion of Portuguese higher education, based on coordinated participation in leading international events, the development of academic and scientific partnerships, and the strengthening of communication and digital presence.
The initiative seeks to enhance the competitive advantages of Portuguese higher education, highlighting the quality of educational and scientific offerings, the diversity of institutions, and the attractiveness of the North, Central, and Alentejo regions as destinations for studying, researching, and cooperating.
By promoting the internationalization of higher education institutions, the project also aims to contribute to the economic and social development of the territories covered, stimulating innovation, knowledge transfer, and the revitalization of regional ecosystems.
Objectives
The main objectives of the operation are:
To strengthen the international visibility and attractiveness of Portuguese higher education by promoting its educational and scientific offerings in strategic markets.
To empower higher education institutions to perform more competitively and collaboratively in the international context, encouraging the sharing of best practices and the development of cooperation networks.
To promote the recruitment of international students and researchers, contributing to the diversification of source markets and strengthening academic and scientific mobility flows.
To consolidate the Study & Research in Portugal brand, ensuring integrated communication and a consistent presence across digital channels and at key international events.
To contribute to regional development by leveraging the economic, social, and scientific impacts associated with the internationalization of higher education.
Main activities
The project is structured around three complementary areas of intervention:
1. Capacity building and promotion of Portuguese higher education
Coordinated participation of higher education institutions in leading international conferences, forums and meetings, promoting academic and scientific cooperation, establishing strategic partnerships and building the capacity of teams responsible for internationalization.
2. Attracting international students and researchers
Joint participation in international education and recruitment fairs, under the brand Study & Research in Portugal, with a view to promoting Portuguese educational and scientific offerings and attracting international talent to the institutions and regions involved.
3. Communication and digital presence
Development and consolidation of the Study & Research in Portugal brand, through the creation and promotion of digital platforms, the production of communication and promotional content, and the strengthening of the presence of Portuguese higher education among different international audiences.
Expected Results
With the implementation of this operation, it is expected to strengthen the international positioning of higher education institutions in the North, Central and Alentejo regions, increase their capacity to attract talent and stimulate the development of new opportunities for academic and scientific cooperation.
The aim is also to consolidate a collective and integrated strategy for the international promotion of Portuguese higher education, generating economies of scale and contributing to the competitiveness of institutions and to the economic and social development of the regions covered.
Operation Sheet
Download the project sheet
Financing
Updated on October 19, 2026