Nova School of Business and Economics (Nova SBE) has been awarded the highest possible rating – Excellent (5/5) – by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), being the only Portuguese school, in the Economics and Management evaluation panel, to receive this classification in the current evaluation cycle. As a result, Nova SBE will receive a funding of €3.6 million over the coming years.
The evaluation, conducted by an international panel composed of eight non-Portuguese experts, assessed three main criteria: the quality, merit, relevance, level of collaboration and internationalization of the R&D activities; the scientific and technological merit of the research team; and the quality, merit, and pertinence of the scientific objectives, overarching strategy, activity plan, and organizational structure of the R&D unit for the next five years.
Recognition of Nova SBE’s Research Excellence
The panel highlighted Nova SBE’s strong international outlook, emphasizing its fully English-taught programs, the highly international composition of both faculty and student body, and its extensive global network of partnerships. The school’s significant contributions to fields such as Finance, Development Economics, Strategy, Organizational Science, and Organizational Behavior were also noted, supported by numerous publications in top-tier academic journals. The research team’s exceptional quality was further recognized through the international reputation of its researchers, editorial positions in leading journals, and a solid track record of attracting competitive funding, including ERA Chairs and ERC Grants.
Strategy for 2025–2029: Advancing toward European leadership
Nova SBE’s strategy for 2025–2029 is based on five key priorities – Global Reach and Positioning; Portfolio Development and Pedagogical Innovation; Knowledge Creation and Dissemination; Stakeholder Lifecycle Optimization; and Organizational Sustainability. This strategic framework aims to further consolidate the school’s position as a leading institution in the European and international landscape for education and research.
Within the scope of its Research Unit, Nova SBE will focus on five emerging strategic areas – Public Policy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Data, Digital and Design, Sustainability, and Health and Ageing. The strategic plan includes the creation of new institutes with interdisciplinary approaches, the strengthening of international research networks, and closer engagement with the community and local authorities, promoting research with tangible and sustained societal impact.
Funding aligned with a vision of excellence
The award of the Excellent rating by FCT to Nova SBE reflects the full alignment between the school’s strategic plan and the objectives of programmatic funding: recruitment of new researchers, support for early-career researchers, internationalization and formal R&D networks, scientific infrastructure and equipment, seed projects, and advanced training programs.
"Nova SBE’s Research Unit received an ‘Excellent’ rating, being the only one in the Economics and Management evaluation panel to achieve the maximum score across all assessed criteria. This evaluation consolidates our leadership position, in line with other assessments and international rankings of our activities. It is a recognition of our commitment to high-quality research and to producing knowledge with global impact, and it reflects the talent and dedication of our researchers. This increased funding will further amplify our contribution to science and to society,” said Pedro Oliveira, Dean of Nova SBE.
“We are extremely proud of this distinction from FCT, which validates the quality, consistency, and relevance of the research developed at Nova SBE. This additional support will strengthen our research lines, attract international talent, and deepen collaborations with academic and institutional partners,” added Steffen Hoernig, Coordinator of the Research Unit.