NOVA School of Science and Technology

What NOVA School of Science and Technology does

NOVA School of Science and Technology (NOVA FCT) is a faculty of Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, a Portuguese public university founded in 1977 and headquartered on the Caparica campus in Almada. It delivers undergraduate (Licenciaturas), five-year Integrated Master's, Master's, Doctoral, and Postgraduate programs across 11 academic departments spanning engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology, and environmental sciences. The institution also operates an Executive Education vertical offering professional programs in ESG, AI, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Blue Economy, Gamification, and Tourism, often co-financed by Portugal's PRR and EU NextGenerationEU funds.

The faculty's research engine comprises multiple specialized units — UNINOVA, NOVA LINCS, CENIMAT, UCIBIO — supported by the affiliated non-profit NOVA.ID.FCT, which in 2023 managed 177 researchers and staff, 417 active projects, and €53M in approved research funding. Operationally, NOVA FCT runs on a digital stack anchored by Moodle@FCTUNL (LMS), CLIP (student information system), the CareerOS-based Careers @ NOVA FCT platform, the Gabinete de Inovação Pedagógica (pedagogical innovation office), and NOVA.FCT Editorial (university publishing house). On-campus infrastructure includes the Fraústo Silva 210-bed student residence, day care, sports facilities, Madan Parque technology incubator, and a new residence under construction for 2026.

NOVA FCT's business model is that of a state-funded public university: the dominant revenue stream is Portuguese government appropriations via the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education, and EU structural/recovery funds (PRR, Portugal 2020/2030, COMPETE 2020, Lisboa 2030). Tuition for EU undergraduates is government-regulated and billed annually; non-EU and Executive Education pricing is variable and disclosed on request. A secondary revenue layer comes from competitive research grants (FCT, European Research Council, NOVA.ID.FCT managed funds) and a third from industry-sponsored training via the PIPP/PIIC programs placing 700+ students per year in partner companies. Customer segments split across domestic undergraduate and integrated master's students, postgraduate researchers, international exchange students, and working professionals in Executive Education.

Name

NOVA School of Science and Technology

Legal name

NOVA School of Science and Technology

Website

https://fct.unl.pt

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

NOVA School of Science and Technology (NOVA FCT) is a Portuguese public university faculty within Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, delivering undergraduate, integrated master's, master's, doctoral, and executive education programs across engineering, computer science, and natural sciences to domestic, international, and professional learners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Engineering & Technology Institutes (Comprehensive) (EDAHAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Systems Administration & IT Operations (Windows/Linux, Monitoring, ITSM) (EDABAFAH)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Science technology degrees
• University research centers
• Executive professional education
• Academic publishing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Caparica

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public Higher Education Funding: As a public university faculty within NOVA University Lisbon, NOVA FCT is funded through government appropriations from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education, and European Union structural funds including PRR, Portugal 2020/2030, COMPETE 2020, and Lisboa 2030 programmes.
2. Executive Education Programs: NOVA FCT Executive Education generates revenue through professional development programs including Intensive Skills Labs, Skills Building Programs, Post-graduations, and specialized academies (Tourism International Academy, Portugal Global Bridge Programs, Samsung Innovation Campus). Programs cover areas like ESG, AI, Gamification, Cybersecurity, Data Science, and Blue Economy.
3. Research Grants and Project Funding: NOVA FCT researchers secure competitive funding through European Research Council grants, FCT research grants, and international programmes. NOVA.ID managed €53M in approved funding in 2023 across 417 active projects with 177 researchers and staff.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

NOVA School of Science and Technology (NOVA FCT) is a public faculty of Universidade NOVA de Lisboa that delivers undergraduate (Licenciaturas), integrated master's, master's, doctoral, and postgraduate degree programs across 11 departments in engineering, science, and technology disciplines. The institution also runs NOVA FCT Executive Education, offering professional development programs and academies in areas such as ESG, AI, cybersecurity, data science, and tourism; operates the NOVA.FCT Editorial publishing house for academic works; and supports research through specialized centers (NOVA LINCS, CENIMAT, UCIBIO, UNINOVA) and the NOVA.ID.FCT research management organization.

Product overview

NOVA School of Science and Technology (NOVA FCT) is a faculty of NOVA University Lisbon offering undergraduate, master's, doctoral, and executive education programs across engineering, sciences, and technology disciplines. The institution operates several digital platforms including Moodle for learning management, CLIP for student information, CareerOS for career services, and NOVA.ID.FCT for research support. Key services include the publishing house (NOVA.FCT Editorial), pedagogical innovation office (Gabinete de Inovação Pedagógica), and Executive Education programs. The institution hosts over 700 students annually in professional practice programs and maintains partnerships with industry for curriculum-aligned training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor's Degree Programs (Licenciaturas) Three-year undergraduate degree programs across science, engineering, and technology disciplines, organized through 11 academic departments. Degrees include Biomedical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Materials, Environmental, Industrial, Micro/Nanotechnology, and Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, and Environmental Sciences. Open to domestic and international students.
• Integrated Master's Degree Programs (Mestrados Integrados) Five-year integrated master's programs combining undergraduate and graduate-level coursework, including a research thesis and professional practice component, for specialized engineering and science disciplines. Required for regulated engineering professions in Portugal.
• Master's Degree Programs (Mestrados) Postgraduate master's degree programs open to holders of a bachelor's or equivalent degree, covering advanced science and engineering specializations. Recruitment cycles include phased candidacies with deadlines posted on the NOVA FCT website.
• Doctoral Programs (Doutoramentos) PhD programs across science and technology disciplines, including support through the European Research Council grants, Bolseiro de Investigação research fellowships, and other research funding mechanisms. Aims to develop independent research capabilities.
• NOVA FCT Executive Education Professional development portfolio including Intensive Skills Labs, Skills Building Programs, Post-graduations, and specialized academies (Tourism International Academy, Portugal Global Bridge Programs, Samsung Innovation Campus partnerships). Covers ESG, AI, Gamification, Cybersecurity, Data Science, and Blue Economy. Delivered via b-learning and live online formats after-work hours.
• NOVA.FCT Editorial University publishing house producing academic books, conference proceedings (Atas e Proceedings), and educational support materials across science, engineering, technology, and other disciplines. Available for purchase by researchers, students, and institutions.
• NOVA FCT Careers (CareerOS Platform) Career services platform providing internship management, job postings, CV building, career event organization, and mentoring program coordination for NOVA FCT students, alumni, and partner employers. Places 700+ students per academic year through PIPP/PIIC programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 700 students per academic year gain real work experience through mandatory internship programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• UNINOVAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNINOVA is a major research institute co-located on NOVA FCT campus, conducting advanced research in materials science, electronics, and engineering. UNINOVA I and II buildings house significant research activities at the campus.
• Madan ParquecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology park and business incubator located at NOVA FCT Building VI, fostering technology transfer and entrepreneurship. Supports spin-off companies and innovation ecosystem development.
• NOVA.ID.FCTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate non-profit association supporting research and innovation at NOVA University Lisbon. Manages 177 researchers, 417 active projects, and €53M approved funding (2023). Operates NOVA.ID Research Data Management Competence Centre.
• EUTOPIA AllianceflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean university alliance bringing together NOVA University Lisbon with other European institutions for joint educational programs, research collaboration, and student mobility.
• UIIN (University-Industry Innovation Network)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational network focused on university-industry collaboration, providing NOVA FCT with best practices and connections for enhancing industry partnerships.
• YERUN (Young European Research Universities Network)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of young European research universities for sharing experiences, promoting collaboration, and influencing higher education policy.
• CesaerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation of European engineering schools and technical universities for collaboration on engineering education and research.
• AQAS (Agentur für Qualitätssicherung und Akkreditierung)minorOthersQuality assurance and accreditation agency ensuring academic standards for German and European study programs.
• Living ToursminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCompany offering AI Specialist and Integration Developer positions to NOVA FCT students and graduates through the CareerOS platform.
• RockbuildingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCompany participating in NOVA FCT Summer Internship Program, providing career opportunities for students.
• CIMPORminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCement company running NextGen 2.0 Trainee Program targeting NOVA FCT graduates for career development.
• Grupo BrisaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInfrastructure and mobility company offering Health and Safety internships to NOVA FCT students.
• Alves RibeirominorGTM or Marketing PartnerCivil engineering company recruiting NOVA FCT graduates for Assistant Site Manager positions.
• BPI (Banco Português de Investimento)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBanking institution offering BPI Academies development program to NOVA FCT students and graduates.
• Samsung Innovation CampusflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership program offering technology and innovation training courses to NOVA FCT students and participants, providing industry-relevant digital skills education.
• SASNOVA (Social Action Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial welfare services providing student accommodation (210-bed Fraústo Silva Residence), health services, sports programs, human development workshops, and psychological support partnerships for NOVA FCT students.
• UNINOVA-CTScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch unit from NOVA University Lisbon that collaborated on smart pilgrim management framework for Camino de Santiago under EU-funded ULTREIA SUDOE project.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• TU Delft: Dutch technical university specialized in engineering and applied sciences. Comparable to NOVA FCT's applied science and engineering orientation, with a more established international STEM brand.
• Imperial College London: Leading UK STEM-focused research university. Comparable in research-intensive science and technology focus, though significantly larger and more international; serves as a benchmark for the type of position NOVA FCT targets.
• Universidade Nova de Lisboa (parent): Parent university of NOVA FCT; a comprehensive Portuguese public university spanning social sciences, law, economics, and medical sciences beyond NOVA FCT's STEM focus. Provides governance and funding context but is broader than NOVA FCT's specific niche.
• Politecnico di Milano: Italian technical university with strong engineering, design, and architecture programs. Comparable to NOVA FCT as a European polytechnic-style institution with applied research orientation and industry partnerships.

Direct peers

• ISCTE - Instituto Universitário de Lisboa: Lisbon-based public university institute with technology and management programs. Comparable as a Portuguese public higher education institution competing for Lisbon-area STEM and management students.
• Universidade do Porto - Faculdade de Engenharia (FEUP): Leading Portuguese engineering faculty within the University of Porto. Comparable to NOVA FCT in scope (engineering, applied sciences), public funding model, and research-intensity orientation.
• Universidade do Minho: Portuguese public university with strong engineering and science programs. Comparable to NOVA FCT in scale, public funding model, and emphasis on industry-academia linkage.
• Universidade de Aveiro: Portuguese public university with significant STEM offerings and applied research focus. Comparable to NOVA FCT in programmatic mix, funding model, and Portuguese domestic positioning.
• Instituto Superior Técnico (IST): Portugal's flagship engineering and technology faculty within the University of Lisbon. Directly comparable to NOVA FCT as a comprehensive Portuguese public engineering and science institution competing for the same domestic STEM student pool.
• Universidade de Coimbra - Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia: Science and technology faculty of the University of Coimbra offering similar undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs in engineering and science. Comparable public Portuguese university model with similar research center structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCc_YWbMjeB8-U0D_EGmBnYA
• Instagraminstagram.com/thecoolivin

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NOVA School of Science and Technology