Portuguese–Nordic Scientific Collaboration: Mapping Pathways of Research, Innovation, and Diplomacy
- SPOT Nordic
- Sep 26
- 1 min read
Over the last decade, scientific collaboration between Portugal and the Nordic countries has grown into a vibrant network of publications, projects, and researcher mobility. To better understand this dynamic, SPOT Nordic has produced a comprehensive report that maps collaborations across disciplines, institutions, and funding frameworks, with a focus on doctoral-level mobility under the Erasmus+ program.
The report shows that cooperation is not only active but also multidisciplinary, with the Social Sciences leading, while Health, STEM, and Arts all play significant roles. At the same time, staff mobility dominates exchanges, with fewer opportunities for doctoral students, and flows remain stronger from Portugal to the Nordics than in the reverse direction.
Case studies on Portuguese researchers and entrepreneurs abroad, from black hole physics to biotech innovation, highlight the human dimension of collaboration and the potential for science diplomacy to connect regions.
Our findings highlight essential opportunities ahead, including broadening institutional participation, strengthening underrepresented Nordic partners (Norway, Iceland, Finland), and investing in emerging areas such as AI, energy, and digital health.
By transforming research excellence into innovation and deepening science diplomacy, Portuguese–Nordic cooperation can become a model for Europe, connecting knowledge with impact and researchers with society.
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