The Strategic Areas of the University of Coimbra gather teams and foster interdisciplinarity with multidisciplinary approaches to address the societal challenges aligned with the Horizon Europe priorities and the 2030 United Nations Agenda.
Strategic areas are considered the scientific areas in which the UC has a critical mass and the inherent capacity, allowing for a strong and differentiated offer in relation to other similar institutions, which can be, simultaneously, emerging areas, with international exposure aligned with societal challenges. They are inclusive areas, representative of the reality of the UC and potentially capable of attracting competitive funding.
After identifying the relevant scientific and social problems and the specific areas and subareas ale to grow in terms of research and teaching, based on internal mapping of R&D units, research projects, strategic projects and bibliometrics, it was possible to identify five Strategic Areas, aligned with the Horizon Europe and the 2030 United Nations Agenda.
The guidelines for the action of the Strategic Areas Management team of the University of Coimbra are:
- promoting interdisciplinarity through the creation of strategic areas, with multidisciplinary approaches capable of responding to societal challenges;
- encourage scientific activity, strengthening the presence of the University of Coimbra in scientific networks, diversifying external funding and reinforcing support in the search for opportunities and partnerships, submission of applications and execution of projects;
- enhance scientific production and promote its dissemination, enhance intellectual property and create incentive systems for faculty and researchers through high impact scientific activity;
- map, update and provide visibility to the scientific and technological capacity installed in the University of Coimbra Group.