Ahead of the Science and Innovation Meeting, taking place in Lisbon on 15–16 July, CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials hosted a strategic meeting at the University of Aveiro to consolidate a national position advocating for the recognition of Advanced Materials as one of the strategic domains of the newly established Agency for Research and Innovation (AI²). The initiative brought together representatives from academia, research organisations, interface centres and industry to discuss the role of Advanced Materials in strengthening Portugal's scientific excellence, industrial competitiveness and technological sovereignty.

The meeting forms part of the national consultation process launched by AI², the new public agency responsible for funding and evaluating research and innovation in Portugal following the merger of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the National Innovation Agency (ANI). As AI² defines its strategic priorities for the 2026–2030 cycle, the scientific and innovation communities have been invited to contribute to the ongoing Strategic Assessment process, culminating in the Science and Innovation Meeting in Lisbon.

Jointly organised by CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials, i3N – Institute of Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication, the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) and CeNTI – Centre for Nanotechnology and Smart Materials, the event centred on the presentation and discussion of the position paper "Advanced Materials as a Strategic Domain for AI² – Why Portugal should select Advanced Materials as a national priority for research and innovation."

The position paper argues that Advanced Materials should not be regarded as a standalone scientific discipline competing with sectors such as energy, health, mobility or digital technologies. Instead, it presents Advanced Materials as the enabling platform underpinning all these strategic areas, providing the foundation for innovation across industries and supporting Europe's ambitions in sustainability, resilience, industrial leadership and strategic autonomy.

The programme opened with welcome remarks from the Rector of the University of Aveiro and the Director of CICECO, followed by an introduction to AI² and the importance of its strategic domains by João Rocha. Paula M. Vilarinho highlighted the European policy landscape surrounding Advanced Materials, including the forthcoming European Advanced Materials Act, emphasising the opportunity for Portugal to position itself at the forefront of this emerging agenda.

João Rocha and Rodrigo Martins then presented the position paper, highlighting Portugal's internationally recognised research capacity in materials science alongside a strong industrial base spanning ceramics, polymers, textiles, cork, glass, metals, biomaterials, batteries, semiconductors and additive manufacturing. The document also identifies strategic challenges, including dependence on imported raw materials and critical technologies, arguing that strengthening national capabilities in Advanced Materials is essential for economic resilience and long term competitiveness.

Beyond identifying challenges, the paper proposes a mission oriented framework to accelerate the translation of research into industrial and societal impact. Seven priority missions are proposed, covering areas such as energy storage and conversion, electronics and advanced packaging, circular and bio based materials, resilient manufacturing, defence and civil resilience, digital materials intelligence, and pilot scale manufacturing and validation. It also recommends dedicated funding instruments, doctoral training programmes, pilot line support and mechanisms to strengthen technology transfer and industrial adoption.

The afternoon concluded with a panel discussion featuring Rodrigo Martins (i3N), Pedro Salomé (INL), Braz Costa (CeNTI) and João Rocha (CICECO), who discussed how Portugal's research, innovation and industrial ecosystems can work together to establish Advanced Materials as one of AI²'s strategic domains.

The discussions held at the University of Aveiro will contribute to the broader national debate taking place during the Science and Innovation Meeting in Lisbon. By bringing together leading institutions from across the Portuguese materials ecosystem, the initiative reinforces a shared vision that Advanced Materials are fundamental to addressing major societal challenges while enhancing Portugal's capacity for innovation, industrial transformation and sustainable economic growth.

Watch the photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/VhwSMQ13VLuzGxp4A