Science partnerships between Portugal and top US universities under threat

A trio of long-running research partnerships between the government of Portugal and top US universities faces an uncertain future amid concerns that their costs outweigh their benefits, writes April Reese for Science.

Last month, the leaders of Portugal’s universities asked the government to suspend the partnerships – which have existed since 2006 – until an evaluation determines whether they should continue in their current form. The request has left some scientists concerned about the future of the programme.

“I’m worried for the country,” says Marco Bravo, executive director of the University of Texas (UT) at Austin Portugal Programme. “These partnerships contribute hugely to the transformation and internationalisation of Portuguese science and Portuguese innovation,” says Bravo, a Portuguese electronic engineer who is based in the United States.
Full report on the Science website