About IES
IES, IP, created by Decree-Law No. 109/2025, of September 25, is an indirect state administration body, endowed with administrative, financial and patrimonial autonomy, which operates within the scope of the attributions of the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MECI) for the strategic coordination of higher education in Portugal.
The IES, IP results from the Public Administration Reform and brings together, totally or partially, the responsibilities of the Directorate-General for Higher Education (DGES), the National Erasmus+ Education and Training Agency, and the General Secretariat for Education and Science, centralizing competences for coordination, management, innovation and internationalization of higher education, as well as the execution of the Erasmus+ Education and Training Program, the promotion of academic mobility and support for the integration of national and international students.
Mission
The mission of the Institute for Higher Education, IP is to ensure the execution and coordination of public policies for higher education, including the financial aspect, the management of the Erasmus+ Education and Training Programme (Erasmus+ Programme), or any successor thereof, and the promotion of the internationalization of education, participation in international networks and the attraction of international students.
Main objectives
In fulfilling its mission, IES, IP establishes strategic objectives that guide its actions and contribute to the effectiveness of public higher education policies.
- To promote access, equity and success in higher education, with a special focus on student support;
- To ensure the coordination of access and admission processes to higher education and the monitoring of students' academic progress;
- To promote quality and pedagogical innovation;
- To ensure the management of the network and support the institutional development of higher education institutions;
- To promote the internationalization of higher education and participation in European and international networks and programs;
- To manage and implement the Erasmus+ Programme in the field of Education and Training;
- To strengthen the international attractiveness of the Portuguese higher education system;
- To guarantee the availability of reliable, transparent, and up-to-date information about the higher education system.
Values
The actions of IES, IP are based on values that guide its relationship with students, institutions, and partners.
We place people at the center of our actions – partners, citizens, and employees – respecting human dignity, fundamental rights, and the real needs of those we serve, promoting accessible, useful, and streamlined services.
We operate based on the principles of democracy, equality and non-discrimination, promoting inclusion, respect for diversity, pluralism and equality between women and men, in alignment with the fundamental values of the European Union.
We are governed by high standards of ethics, integrity, trust, transparency, and fairness, ensuring responsible and just conduct fully within the rule of law.
We value internal and inter-institutional cooperation, both nationally and internationally, promoting relationships based on sharing, solidarity, and networking, as essential instruments for creating public value.
We are committed to the quality of the services we provide, ensuring effectiveness, efficiency, and technical rigor, supported by a culture of informed decision-making based on evidence and continuous evaluation.
We promote organizational innovation, responsible experimentation, and the adoption of emerging technologies as means to improve public management, strengthen the impact of policies, and respond to future challenges.
We are committed to acting in a socially responsible manner, integrating the social, environmental and economic dimensions, promoting sustainability, social justice and participatory governance.
Commitment to simplification, digitalization, coordination between services and accountability, contributing to a more efficient, accessible and results-oriented Public Administration.
