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1 July 2026

João Mano honoured with Humboldt Research Award for biomaterials research

João Mano honoured with Humboldt Research Award for biomaterials research

João F. Mano, researcher at CICECO and Professor at the Department of Chemistry of the University of Aveiro, has been awarded the prestigious Humboldt Research Award by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. The distinction recognises internationally established researchers whose fundamental discoveries, new theories or insights have had a lasting impact on their field.

He attended the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Annual Meeting 2026 in Berlin, where he formally received the award alongside other distinguished researchers from around the world. The event brings together members of the global Humboldt Network, one of the world's largest international scientific communities, comprising more than 30,000 researchers across over 140 countries, including 63 Nobel laureates.

The award, one of Germany's highest international scientific distinctions, includes an invitation to conduct research in the country for up to 12 months. João F. Mano will be hosted by the Institute of Biomaterials at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), under the sponsorship of Professor Aldo Roberto Boccaccini, through the 2026 Humboldt Research Award Programme, supported by the Global Minds Initiative Germany.

During his research stay, beginning in June 2026, João F. Mano will develop a new generation of cell-based devices integrated with silica-based materials to enhance bone regeneration. The project combines expertise in biomaterials, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, with the objective of creating advanced therapeutic strategies for musculoskeletal disorders.

The collaboration with Professor Aldo Roberto Boccaccini's group at FAU will focus on novel combinations of organic and inorganic biomaterials with regenerative potential, strengthening scientific links between Portugal and Germany in an area of strategic importance for future healthcare technologies.

Prof. Boccaccini said:  “We warmly congratulate Prof. Joao Mano on this very well deserved award and look forward to collaborating with him in this exciting project. Attending the Annual Meeting of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation also reminded me that it is one of the world’s leading organizations promoting excellence and international collaboration in research”.

The Humboldt Research Award is granted to internationally recognised researchers whose scientific achievements have had a significant impact on their disciplines. Beyond recognising scientific excellence, the programme promotes long-term international collaborations between award recipients and research institutions in Germany.

The award is part of the Global Minds Initiative Germany, a programme supported by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). The initiative expands the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation's funding schemes to attract outstanding international researchers and strengthen Germany's global scientific partnerships.

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