Currently, NPPI’s research priorities are centered on the following public policy issues:
Generally speaking, NPPI is interested in all matters related to public policy. Other specific research topics will be added in the future.
Seasoned academic researchers can submit proposals to open calls for research projects. We anticipate two such calls in the near future, one related to taxation, one to productivity. Academic researchers can also be appointed Research Fellows of the Institute (see more in Fellows section).
Yes, we will soon post at least three post-doc openings. Check our website for updates.
Pre-doc research assistants will be hired for specific research projects. You may message the institute manifesting your interest in working as a research assistant or otherwise stay tuned for specific calls for applications.
The debate competition is open to university students in Portugal (Bachelor's and Master's programs).
Each team must include 3 to 5 members.
Applications should be sent to public.policy.institute@novasbe.pt with the indication “policy debate competition” in the subject line. Please include 1) the list of team members, 2) each member's CV (with academic GPAs), and 3) a written recommendation from the team's mentor/academic advisor.
Yes, November 30, 2024.
There is no application fee. However, each team is responsible for transportation and other costs related to attending the debates (in person).
During February, a series of elimination rounds will take place at Nova SBE (precise dates to be determined). The semi-final and final debates will take place on the occasion of the Policy Festival event (April 10, 2025).
All debates will take place at Nova SBE’s Carcavelos campus.
All debates will take place in English.
A proposition is announced prior to the debate (e.g., “The European Union should create a carbon taxation scheme across all EU countries”). Before the debate begins, each of the two competing teams is assigned to argue in favor or against the proposition. Each team then makes its opening remarks (1 minute per team), followed by two rounds of 5 minutes each (two rounds per team). Finally, each team makes closing remarks (1 minute per team).
The total prize money is 10,000 euros, divided as follows:
A panel of judges will score each team’s performance based on their ability to:
The leadership of the Nova SBE Public Policy Institute will select 16 teams according to the following criteria:
The main purpose of the Public Policy Idea Lab is to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in public policy by engaging members of the Nova SBE community — and other individuals as well — in the process of developing and applying new ideas to solve old and current problems.
Suppose an individual or a team has an idea for providing healthcare access to older people in remote areas of the country: specifically, to recruit medical school students (and doctors as well) who are willing to volunteer one or two weeks during their school breaks.
Turning such an idea into reality typically requires several steps. First, translating the idea into a concrete plan, including a business plan. Second, applying the plan in the form of a pilot program (e.g., a specific area of the country and/or a specific medical school). Finally, once a pilot program is actually in place, one would like to “institutionalize” this “proof of concept” in the form of public policy — at the local, regional or national level; and potentially involving both government and non-government organizations.
The Policy Ideas Program can help at each of the above three important steps (writing a plan, running a pilot program, and institutionalizing it). That said, the program’s comparative advantage lies in the final step, namely for the team’s proof of concept to be institutionalized. Ultimately, the main purpose of the program corresponds to one of the Nova SBE Public Policy Institute’s goals: to have real impact, to move the public policy needle.
Everyone can apply. However, preference is given to teams of students from bachelors and (pre-experience) masters programs.
We accept applications on a rolling basis.
Applications should be sent to public.policy.institute@novasbe.pt, indicating “policy ideas program” on the subject line. Explain briefly your idea and how you expect the program can help your team. Include the list of team members and their CVs.
The Policy Festival is the Nova SBE Policy’s signature event: an annual gathering with a variety of activities related to public policy.
The first Policy Festival is scheduled for April 10, 2025.
Everyone can attend, though registration is required (and free of charge).
There will be a number of short talks by leading figures in the world of public policy. Nova SBE faculty as well as other researchers will report on important recent developments in policy research. Also, the finals of the Policy Debate Competition will take place during the festival. Other activities will be announced in due course (e.g., a policy-related job fair).
Policy Podcasts and Policy Bites are part of NPPI’s strategy for bringing public policy closer to the public (and policymakers as well).
At this stage, NPPI is starting two podcast series, both in Portuguese.
Additional policy-related podcasts, including podcasts in English, are planned for the future.
Policy Bites is a means for NPPI to summarize recent research on public policy matters.
New policy bites will be published regularly on the NPPI social media pages. These are then compiled on the Policy Bites section of NPPI’s website.