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What We Research - R&D Fields

U.Porto’s fields of research and development are a fundamental pillar in the consolidation of a modern and competitive scientific system that responds to major global challenges.

The various teams of the R&D ecosystem at the U.Porto concentrate their activity in scientific areas aligned with the 6 domains listed by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), demonstrating the high interdisciplinarity of the research community of the U.Porto.

R&D Fields at the University of Porto

R&D Fields at the University of Porto

Arts and Humanities (9 research units)

Engineering Sciences and Technology (10 research units)

Health Sciences (8 research units)

Exact Sciences (7 research units)

Natural Sciences (6 research units)

Social Sciences (8 research units)

Each of U.Porto’s fields of research brings together high-quality critical mass and modern infrastructures that enable excellent scientific production, based in the R&D Units and the associated research institutes that comprise the University's ecosystem.

The research areas at U.Porto bring together teams that promote interdisciplinarity and are committed to providing answers to the main global and societal challenges, in line with the priorities arising from European development programmes, especially the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations Agenda 2030.

Of the 17 SDGs, research undertaken within the U.Porto ecosystem is most closely aligned with the following objectives:

  • SDG 9 - Industry, innovation and infrastructure;
  • SDG 3 - Quality health;
  • SDG 4 - Quality education;
  • SDG 13 - Climate Action;
  • SDG 11 - Sustainable cities and communities.

This alignment with the SDGs demonstrates U.Porto's dedication not only to the promotion of sustainable development principles through education, research and innovation, but also through the incorporation of these principles in the University's strategic plans.