12/05/2025

The LS4FUTURE Associate Laboratory is proud to share the results of the recent national evaluation of research units conducted by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT): all three affiliated units—Green-IT, MOSTMICRO, and iNOVA4Health—have been awarded the highest possible rating of “Excellent”.

This remarkable outcome is a testament to the scientific excellence, commitment, and collaborative spirit that define the LS4FUTURE research community. Together, the three research units have secured more than €18 million in competitive funding, reinforcing their collective capacity to advance cutting-edge science and innovation in the fields of biotechnology, microbiology, sustainable agriculture, and translational health research.

Green-IT and MOSTMICRO, both coordinated by ITQB NOVA, and iNOVA4Health, which includes 4 LS4FUTURE partner institutes (NOVA Medical School – NMS, ITQB NOVA, IPO Lisbon and iBET), have each demonstrated outstanding performance across all evaluation criteria. These results reflect years of hard work, creativity, and strategic vision by researchers, technical staff, and leadership teams.

In messages to their communities, institute directors emphasized the collective nature of this success, thanking all those who contributed to the evaluation process and to the ongoing scientific endeavors that made these achievements possible. As the ITQB Direction board put it, “Although this is not an unprecedented result, it is nonetheless an extraordinary one.”

Margarida Oliveira said: “As Coordinator of Green-it Bioresources for Sustainability, I am extremely pleased that our Unit has once again been recognised as Excellent in the latest assessment. This achievement reflects the outstanding collective effort of our entire team — researchers, technicians, and students — and stands as a testament to the quality of our research, our commitment to technology transfer, and our dedication to teaching excellence”.

Paulo Pereira, Inova4health coordinator states: “I’m proud to lead such an exceptional team whose collective commitment made this achievement possible. This success reflects the talent and dedication of our entire research community across the five partner institutions — NMS, iBET, ITQB, NIMSB, and IPOLFG. I’m especially proud of the commitment and drive shown by our PhD students, early-career researchers, clinicians, engineers, and the outstanding administrative and support teams who make our work possible. Congratulations to all on this milestone. I look forward to the next four years as we bring our ambitious programme to life — together”.

Cláudio Soares mentions: “As Coordinator of MOSTMICRO-ITQB, I am very pleased with the outcome of the evaluation, positioning the Unit, for the third time, as Excellent. This result is the outcome of a collective effort to showcase our best, but it is more than just a showcase. Its true essence lies in the excellent research, training, and innovation we pursue every day, constantly pushing beyond what was given to us”.

The evaluations not only bring well-deserved recognition but also a renewed sense of responsibility and opportunity. With strong funding and institutional support, the three research units are now better positioned than ever to pursue their ambitious scientific missions and deliver meaningful impact to society.

Congratulations to all involved—this is a proud moment for LS4FUTURE and a promising step forward for science in Portugal.