On February 15, 2019, Portugal’s Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education Manuel Heitor presided over the public launch of the Quantum Portugal Initiative at the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) in Braga. The initiative, a collaboration between the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) and INL, opened a call for 24 PhD scholarships in quantum science and technology. A memorandum of understanding between FCT and INL was signed at the event.
According to the INL announcement, the scholarships are managed by INL under a mandate from FCT, with PhD research to be carried out at Portuguese universities in collaboration with INL. Areas of study include quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing, and quantum materials. From over 100 applications, 24 students were selected and began their studies at universities including Porto, Aveiro, Minho, and Universidade Nova de Lisboa, with start dates from mid-2020 onward.
FCT President Paulo Ferrão and INL Director-General Lars Montelius spoke at the launch event, alongside an IBM Q Ambassadors Program representative. The initiative was described as a first step toward training a generation of quantum scientists and technologists in Portugal.