View More

The post Research Sprint Residencies appeared first on UT Austin Portugal Program.

Applications Closed:
TechLaunch 2026 submission window has ended as of June 30, 2026

Modeled after the NSF I-Corps approach, the program supports early-stage teams in testing their value proposition, engaging directly with potential customers and stakeholders, and taking practical steps toward real-world impact.

The 2026 edition is developed under the UT Austin Portugal Program in collaboration with ANI – Agência Nacional de Inovação, S.A. and funded by Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) and European Union’s NextGenerationEU program, within Component C16 – Digital Transition, Investment C16-i03.02.

Why Apply

TechLaunch helps teams reduce the risk of lab-to-market commercialization by giving them a structured process to test assumptions, validate needs, and understand whether their technology can generate meaningful value outside the lab.

Selected teams will take part in a seven-week hybrid program including training, workshops, weekly presentations, mentoring sessions, and customer discovery activities. Each team is expected to conduct a minimum of 100 customer discovery interviews during the program.

Teams will have access to an indicative budget of up to €30,000 per team to support customer discovery and validation activities, as well as prototyping and in-person participation in the Opening Week in Porto and the Closing Week in Austin. This is a new feature introduced in this year’s edition.

The program ends with an in-person week at The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) with covered participation costs. During this final stage, teams present their work, reflect on lessons learned, and engage with the U.S. startup and innovation community.

Who should apply?

• TechLaunch is designed for researchers, Ph.D. students, and early-stage teams who want to explore the market potential of science and engineering-based ideas and engage directly with the market ecosystem.
• The program is particularly suited for teams that are still testing the commercial relevance of their technology and are ready to engage directly with potential users, customers, and stakeholders.
• TechLaunch is not intended for fully commercialized projects, teams seeking direct funding, or participants unable to commit to an intensive program.

What participants will gain

• Test and refine a value proposition based on real market needs.
• Collect first-hand insights from potential customers, users, and stakeholders.
• Build an evidence-based pathway toward commercialization.
• Develop a stronger entrepreneurial mindset for translating research and technology into practical impact.

Key dates

Program structure

TechLaunch 2026 combines intensive training, market validation, and international exposure. The program includes:

• An in-person opening week in Portugal
• Virtual weekly webinars
• Virtual mentoring sessions
• Customer discovery and validation activities
• A final in-person closing week at UT Austin

During the program, teams will work closely with experienced instructors trained under the I-Corps model and will receive focused feedback on their customer discovery process, value proposition, and commercialization pathway.

Team structure and eligibility

Each team must include:

• 1 Entrepreneurial Lead (EL): focused on customer discovery and market validation;
• 1 Technical Lead (TL): responsible for the scientific and technological development of the project.

Teams may include up to 4 members in total and may optionally involve a Team Mentor (TM) with industry or entrepreneurial experience. Primary EL and TL roles must be clearly identified.

More on eligibility criteria on the official Program Announcement.

Financial model and support

Participation in TechLaunch 2026 provides access to training, mentoring, and international immersion activities to support the validation of science- and technology-based solutions.

Teams are allocated an indicative budget of up to €30,000 to support customer discovery, validation activities, prototyping, and participation in the Opening Week in Porto and the Closing Week in Austin.

Expenses are primarily managed and paid directly by INESC TEC, with reimbursement applied only in exceptional, pre-approved cases.

This indicative budget is a planning ceiling rather than a fixed grant or cash allocation, and actual costs may vary depending on team needs and program activities.

For more on TechLaunch’s financial model and support, please refer to the official Program Announcement.

Instructors

Aprille (Raabe) Busch, Esq.

Executive Director, Southwest I-Corps Hub | The University of Texas at Austin

Aprille leads the Southwest I-Corps Hub and teaches in NSF’s national I-Corps programs and U.S. SBIR bootcamps.

Before joining UT Austin, she served at the U.S. Department of State, supporting global science and tech cooperation.

Her career spans roles as senior counsel in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and as a foreign affairs officer.

Aprille also serves on the boards of SXSW Pitch and TUNIE, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship across Texas.

She holds a JD from Tulane University and a BA in Communication from Saint Mary’s College, with a Peace Studies focus from Notre Dame.

Weston Waldo, MBA

Program Manager, Southwest I-Corps | Director, TEXVMS | The University of Texas at Austin

Weston is a certified NSF I-Corps instructor and experienced startup founder with multiple exits. He has helped guide over 1,800 teams through the I-Corps program and has supported early-stage commercialization across DeepTech, life sciences, and renewables.

He’s also an investor and commercialization reviewer for NSF’s SBIR/STTR program, and has trained teams across multiple I-Corps Hubs. Weston holds both an MBA and BBA from Texas Tech and is fluent in Mandarin.

Jessica Fleenor

Teaching Assistant, Southwest I-Corps Hub | The University of Texas at Austin

Jessica Fleenor is a leader in venture acceleration and startup program design. She directs OwlSpark, Rice University’s tech and small business accelerator, where she oversees strategy, operations, and founder support.

She also founded BlueLaunch, Rice Alliance’s first initiative for non-tech entrepreneurs, which she later integrated into OwlSpark as a dedicated track to expand its reach.

Jessica plays a key role in delivering the NSF I-Corps program across Texas, training research teams in customer discovery and commercialization. With a strong background in strategic planning, ecosystem development, and operational execution, she helps entrepreneurs build sustainable, high-impact ventures.

Previous cohort testimonials

Participants from the previous TechLaunch edition highlight how the program helped them move beyond assumptions, engage directly with potential users and customers, and refine their path toward real-world impact.

FAQs

Q: What is TechLaunch?

A: TechLaunch is an intensive entrepreneurship program based on the NSF I-Corps model, designed to help researchers and innovators validate the market potential of science- and technology-based solutions.

Q: Who should participate?

A: The program is intended for researchers, PhD students, innovation-driven professionals, and early-stage teams exploring the market potential of deep tech solutions. It is not intended for fully commercialized projects, teams seeking direct funding, or participants unable to commit to an intensive program.

Q: What is expected from participants?

A: Participants are expected to actively engage in all program activities, attend mandatory sessions, conduct at least 100 customer discovery interviews, and be open to feedback and iteration.

Q: What are the requirements for team composition?

A: Each team must include at least one Entrepreneurial Lead and one Technical Lead. Teams may have up to four members. An optional Team Mentor may also be included.

Q: Do all team members need to be based in Portugal?

A: Yes. All team members must reside in Portugal and maintain an active affiliation with a Portuguese institution during the program.

Q: What kind of projects are eligible?

A: Projects must have a deep tech profile, be based on scientific or engineering knowledge, involve a non-trivial technical challenge, and not be based on intellectual property that prevents the team from participating in the program.

Q: How are teams selected?

A: Applications will be evaluated by the TechLaunch instructional and coordination team at UT Austin. Criteria include team composition and commitment, readiness for customer discovery, clarity of problem and value proposition, scientific and technological basis, and potential for learning and impact. An interview stage may be included.

Q: Is participation in all activities mandatory?

A: Yes. Active participation in all core activities, including the opening week in Portugal and the closing week in Austin, is mandatory.

Q: How time-intensive is the program?

A: The program requires a high level of commitment over seven weeks, including: interviews with stakeholders; preparation for weekly sessions; team coordination.

Q: Is there a formal agreement?

A: Yes. All participants must sign a Participation Agreement with INESC TEC. This agreement does not create an employment or service provision relationship or entitlement to remuneration.

Q: Do teams receive funding directly?

A: No. TechLaunch does not provide direct funding to teams. Support is implemented through a centralized expense management model, where eligible costs are generally paid directly by INESC TEC. Reimbursement is limited to specific, pre-approved cases.

Q: What is the indicative budget per team?

A: Each team may benefit from an indicative budget of up to €30,000, depending on team size, level of activity, justified needs, and overall budget availability. This amount is not guaranteed and does not constitute a fixed allocation or entitlement.

Q: What types of expenses are eligible?

A: Eligible expenses may include customer discovery and validation activities, participation in the opening week in Portugal and closing week at UT Austin, travel and accommodation for approved program-related activities, digital tools subject to specific rules, and prototyping expenses up to €5,000 per team subject to prior approval.

Q: How are expenses paid?

A: As a general rule, expenses are contracted, organized, and paid directly by INESC TEC. Reimbursement is allowed only in specific cases, such as low-value local transportation expenses and digital tools whose subscription period extends beyond the eligible period. All reimbursements require prior approval, valid supporting documents, and compliance with PRR rules.

Q: Are salaries or payments to team members eligible?

A: No. Salaries, stipends, or honoraria for team members are not eligible. Other non-eligible costs include legal or IP-related costs, passport, visa or ESTA-related fees, travel insurance policies, non-approved expenses, and costs that may constitute double funding.

Q: Are meal costs eligible?

A: Meal costs are generally not eligible, except during the closing week at UT Austin, within the defined daily ceilings and excluding meals already provided by the program.

Q: Will reporting be required?

A: Yes. Teams will be required to provide information on activities carried out, contribute to program monitoring and evaluation, and respond to follow-up information requests when needed.

For further FAQs, please consult the Program Announcement.

The post Techlaunch 2026 from invention to impact appeared first on UT Austin Portugal Program.

12-Month Program
Up to 4 Companies
U.S. Market Entry Focus
Status: Open

The post 2026 Startup2ScaleUp (S2S) appeared first on UT Austin Portugal Program.

The Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) is pleased to announce the 2025 Call for Exploratory Research Projects (ERPs), bearing the seal of the UT Austin Portugal Program.

This Call supports high-impact, exploratory research collaborations between Portuguese research teams and researchers at The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin), advancing scientific excellence, innovation, and long-term transatlantic partnerships.

Projects funded under this Call are expected to pursue ambitious, high-risk / high-reward research ideas, with clearly defined outcomes achievable within a 12-month timeframe, and with potential to scale toward future research, innovation, or societal impact.

At a Glance

• Who can apply: Eligible teams from Portugal and UT Austin
• Funding (Portugal): Up to €50,000 per project (lump sum)
• Funding (UT Austin): Between $50,000 and $100,000 per project
• Total Funding: €400,000 (Portugal). Matched funding at UT Austin for UT Austin research teams (through the Program’s budget)
• Projects Funded: At least 8
• Duration: 12 months (extendable up to 3 months, upon justification)
• Submission Platform: myFCT (Portuguese PI submits)

What Type of Projects Are We Looking For?

This Call is designed to support exploratory, early-stage research that tests new ideas, approaches, methods, or combinations of expertise that may involve scientific or technical uncertainty, but that have the potential to open new research directions or enable follow-up funding and innovation.

Projects should:

• Address scientific topics in the areas of the Program (Phase IV)
• Demonstrate novelty and ambition
• Show strong complementarity between Portuguese and UT Austin teams
• Be achievable within the Call’s timeframe and funding limits

Research Areas

Applications must address challenges within one of the four Phase IV flagship scientific areas of the UT Austin Portugal Program:

• Advanced Computing: Scaling energy-efficient computing tools, including greener and more sustainable AI solutions, with a focus on efficiency and the application of translational AI across domains.
• Clean Energy: Advancing climate neutrality, with emphasis on climate-neutral cities, industrial decarbonisation, and future energy systems.
• Nanotechnologies: Advancing critical materials, including applications in batteries, semiconductors, and green hydrogen production.
• Space-Earth Technologies: Leveraging space technologies particularly sensing and enabling solutions to develop Earth models and applications that support prevention, mitigation, and decision-making in areas such as forest fires, coastal erosion, soil monitoring, and ocean ecosystems.

For detailed thematic scope, please consult the Terms of Reference available on the official FCT call page.

Who Can Apply?

Portuguese Institutions

Eligible Portuguese entities include:

• Higher Education Institutions and their R&D units
• State, international or associated laboratories headquartered in Portugal
• Non-profit private institutions with R&D as their main activity, including Collaborative Laboratories (CoLABs) and Centres for Technology and Innovation (CTIs)
• Other public or private non-profit institutions engaged in scientific research

UT Austin Participation

UT Austin defines eligibility criteria for its faculty and research staff to co-lead projects under this Call. These requirements are detailed in the official Call Announcement and must be consulted accordingly.

Consortium Composition

Projects must involve at least:

• One Principal Investigator (PI) affiliated with an eligible Portuguese institution, and
• One PI at UT Austin (tenure-track or senior PI-status researcher for TACC projects).

Industry participation is welcome but not funded.

Members of the UT Austin Portugal Program governance structure (Program Board, External Review Committee, Board of Directors, Executive Team) are not eligible to participate as PIs, team members, or consultants.

Official Call Documents

For full details on eligibility, evaluation criteria, funding rules, and submission requirements, please consult the official FCT Call Announcement and Terms of Reference, available here.

The post 2025 Call for Exploratory Research Projects ERPs appeared first on UT Austin Portugal Program.

Two new funding calls have been launched under Portugal 2030 to support industry-driven R&D and innovation projects focused on the development and manufacturing of critical technologies aligned with the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP).

These calls create opportunities for collaboration between Portuguese companies, academia, research institutions, and international partners, including teams from The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) within the framework of the UT Austin Portugal Program.

Projects should aim to accelerate the development of strategic technologies with strong industrial impact while strengthening Europe’s technological leadership and competitiveness.

At a Glance

• Deadline: April 30, 2026 (Closed)
• Total Budget (Energy): €86,250,000
• Total Budget (Digital/Biotech): €153,000,000
• UT Austin Funding: Up to $1 Million (USD) per project
• Duration: Up to 36 months
• Focus: Advanced technological maturity levels (TRL ≥ 6).

Official Announcements

• STEP – I&D&I Empresarial | Energy (COMPETE2030-2026-1)
• STEP – I&D&I Empresarial | Digital and Biotechnology (MPr-2026-2)

Research Areas

Proposals must focus on critical technologies and value chains within the STEP initiative:

• Energy: Clean energy systems, carbon neutrality, and sustainable production.
• Digital & Deep-tech: EU Digital Decade 2030 objectives and high-tech innovation.
• Biotechnology: Molecular, pharmaceutical, and agricultural applications.

Consortium Composition

Projects must be submitted in copromotion, involving:

• Portuguese Entities: Companies of any size and R&I system entities (ENESII).
• UT Austin Partner: Participation of UT researchers is funded directly through the Program budget at UT.

Contacts

• Portugal Office: research@utaustinportugal.org
• UT Austin PI Support: bravo@austin.utexas.edu

The post STEP Calls Open | Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) appeared first on UT Austin Portugal Program.

Extension notice

Applications now closed

Application deadline extended

The deadline for submitting expressions of interest for the Ph.D. In-Residency Research Internships at The University of Texas at Austin has been extended.

From
May 21, 2026

➔

Extended to
May 28, 2026 23:59 UTC+1

✎
Applicants now have additional time to finalize and submit their applications.

The UT Austin Portugal Program is pleased to launch a new call for fully funded Ph.D. in-residency research internships hosted at The University of Texas at Austin, under the supervision of UT faculty.

This highly competitive program will select a limited number of outstanding Ph.D. candidates to conduct research at UT Austin. The opportunity is open to doctoral students enrolled in Portuguese Higher Education Institutions who wish to accelerate their Ph.D. research in direct collaboration with leading experts at UT Austin through an international in-residence experience of 6 to 12 months at one of the world’s leading research universities.

This initiative is funded through the UT Austin Portugal Program. A limited number of positions will be funded.

Learn More

Full details on eligibility, application requirements, evaluation criteria, and funding conditions are available in the official Call Announcement.

Key Dates

• Opening date: April 9, 2026
• Deadline for submission: May 21 May 28, 2026 (23:59, UTC+1)
• Notification of selection results: July 8–15, 2026
• Start of mobility periods at UT Austin: Between September 1 and December 31, 2026
• Mobility completion deadline: December 31, 2027

Why Apply

Selected candidates will:

• Strengthen their Ph.D. work by conducting research at UT Austin under expert mentoring
• Access cutting-edge facilities and international research networks
• Raise their international scientific profile
• Benefit from a comprehensive assistance package, including:
  • Monthly allowance (€2100)
  • Accommodation in Austin arranged and covered by the Program, subject to availability and Program conditions
  • Travel and visa-related support
  • Health insurance (costs reimbursed up to an established amount)

Who Can Apply

This call targets Ph.D. students who:

• Are enrolled in a doctoral program at a Portuguese Higher Education Institution
• Are in the second year of their Ph.D. or above at the start of the internship
• Hold Portuguese nationality or permanent residence
• Commit full-time to the internship
• Have the agreement of their Ph.D. supervisor in Portugal

Research Areas

Applications must clearly align with one of the Program’s key areas:

• Advanced Computing
• Clean Energy
• Nanotechnologies
• Space-Earth Technologies

Before You Apply

Applicants must:

• Identify and secure a UT Austin faculty host (advisor)
• Prepare a research work plan aligned with their Ph.D. in Portugal and supported by both their Ph.D. supervisor in Portugal and the proposed UT Austin host
• Ensure all required documents are ready for submission

Contacts

• Host search support at UT Austin: bravo@austin.utexas.edu
• General inquiries: research@utaustinportugal.org

FAQs

The post Call for Expressions of Interest (EoI) for Ph.D. In-Residency Research Internships at The University of Texas at Austin appeared first on UT Austin Portugal Program.

2-Month Program
11 Teams Selected
Closing Week at UT Austin
Status: Closed

The post 2025 Call TechLaunch appeared first on UT Austin Portugal Program.

Phase 4 kicked off with a new call for Short-Term Research Internships at UT Austin. This program invited faculty, researchers, and Master’s or PhD students affiliated with Portuguese institutions to pursue three- to six-month research visits.

Invitation Overview

Selected candidates engage with UT Austin’s dynamic academic ecosystem, initiating institutional collaborations and conducting interdisciplinary research in core areas:

• Advanced Computing: Scaling Tools for Energy-Efficient Advanced Computing.
• Nanotechnology: Advancing critical materials discovery.
• Space-Earth Technologies: Exploiting Space technology and data for Earth applications.
• Clean Energy: Addressing climate neutrality through Clean Energy.

Official Documentation

• Call Announcement
• Evaluation Criteria and Methodology
• Regulation no. 913/2021 (FCT)

What was new in this edition?

• New Core Area: Clean Energy has been added to the strategic goals.
• Extended Duration: Research stays extended from three to six months.
• Enhanced Support: UT Austin now covers accommodation and round-trip airfare, plus J1-Scholar visa admission fees.

Call Timetable

Contacts

• General Inquiries: research@utaustinportugal.org
• FCT (Scholarship Compatibility): bolsas@fct.pt

The post 2025 Call for Expressions of Interest for Short-Term Research Internships at the University of Texas at Austin appeared first on UT Austin Portugal Program.